Static Sencha Blouse

This is my second blouse made from Colette's Sencha pattern.  Version 1 is a very simple top that showcases the interesting fabric (teal, black & white ikat cotton lawn from Denver Fabrics). 

The back closes with five white buttons:

The hand stitching around the sleeve hems and back edges is fun to do for a change.  The white thread at the bottom hem looks a little weird so I might redo it with black.  At any rate, I'm hoping that this will be a good addition to my work wardrobe!      

Green Slouchy Blouse

Last Tuesday was brought to you by the letter "B"! I made a blouse and baked breads. :) This blouse pattern was not my favorite. It came out looking like a uniform smock or something. The pattern is Burdastyle's slouchy blouse and the fabric is an iridescent cotton woven with tiny green and yellow flowers. The style would probably be more flattering if it was made in a fabric with more drape like a silk or rayon.  

Detail of buttoned sleeve tabs

Detail of collar

It looks much better when worn tucked into a skirt or pants.

Fresh baked boule

English muffins!

Poppy Blouse & Green Denim Pencil Skirt

I am wearing this outfit right now because I finished up this blouse this morning just in time for the weather to get all unexpectedly warm! The blouse is made from a lovely sheer cotton lawn that is definitely meant more for spring but I couldn't wait! The pattern I used was Simplicity 2564, view C. It is a very simple blouse with kimono sleeves. Since the lines of the blouse were so simple and my fabric was so sheer I decided to use french seams to assemble it and I'm very happy with how neat and sturdy the seams are.

Ah yes, my elephant belt is the pièce de résistance, don't you think? Either that or the "vintage" hallway wallpaper is. It's a toss up, really.*

The pattern called for a mere three buttons but that seemed pretty dangerous to me so I went with five. There will be no placket-gaping if I can help it!

Obligatory button placket close-up: 

I made the green wool denim skirt that Delphine-the-Dressform is wearing last fall using Simplicity 2343, view D (minus the topstitching, which I might still add to it some day...).

* It is now my stated goal to photograph my projects in front of all the lovely "vintage" floral wallpapers present in our apartment. They are varied and crazy so stay tuned! 

Brown & Salmon Sencha Blouse

I made this blouse using Colette Pattern's Sencha pattern and some polyester charmeuse. I chose Version 3 with the keyhole neckline and tie. This was a fun project because it involved a lot of hand sewing along the hems and facings.

My machine absolutely refused to make buttonholes in this slippery fabric so I cheated by sewing the non-functional buttons on top of the functional snaps down the back.

This is another machine washable blouse that is in constant rotation in my work & weekend wardrobes. It looks as great tucked into my brown pencil skirt as it does with jeans and a cardigan!  I will definitely be making more blouses from this pattern for spring.

Crazy Green Blouse

I fell in love with this "vibrant" fabric! It is very high quality cotton that comes out of the dryer wrinkle-free! I used this BurdaStyle pattern because I thought the simple lines would show off the print. It came out much roomier than I anticipated (it fits like a smock) but I still love it!

The cool square turquoise buttons kind of get lost in the crazy print...

 

Monet Tank

I made this for Sister #2 for Christmas using View D of Simplicity 2892 and polyester charmeuse from Jo-Ann's that reminded me of an impressionist painting. The sides seams are French but I did use my serger to finish the hem before hemming narrowly.

This fabric is easy care machine wash & dry but it looks and feels special. I experimented using Sullivan's Spray Stabilizer with this slippery fabric and I couldn't be happier with the results! After I treated the fabric with the spray it had the feel of crisp taffeta instead of slippery satin charmeuse so it was much easier to handle and work with. Once I washed the finished garment it returned to its original softness.

Blue Balloon Blouse

Try saying that 5 times fast!  I made this balloon-sleeved blouse using Simplicity 2892, View B, and inexpensive royal blue polyester "silkessence" from Jo-Ann's.  The fabric is delicate and frayed so I used French seams rather than my serger.  So far it has stood up to numerous machine washings and doesn't need to be ironed!   

Happy New Deer Blouse

I made this blouse on the last day of 2010 and wore it to a New Year's Eve party.

I used View C of Simplicity 2892 , a wool blend challis from Denver Fabrics, and black plastic buttons from my stash. I fell in love with the retro-looking deer print even though the color is not something I have ever worn.