So while I am waiting to decided if I am going to SF to fabric shop and also waiting for the Oscars tonight, I decided to whip up a quick blouse!
Now like more fabric-holics, I have a fabric stash. I have a small dresser that I keep most of my fabric to be used "someday" for fabulous creations. I have more fabric than I have time at this point (and yet I buy more!). Is there an intervention for fabric buying??
I had this beautiful 100% silk print that I bought while in NYC a couple of years ago. I was there for work and our office is on Times Square, near the fashion district. I found this fabric at a retailer near the hotel I stayed at. It was so beautiful and I had been saving it for "something"!
Some things to think about when working with silk. It is really not as scary as you think. Silk is very strong and is wonderful to the touch. It drapes beautifully and can be both dressy as well as more casual. But you do have to stay focused when sewing as it can be slippery and may be hard to work with. It is necessary to use silk pins as well as a ball point needle to avoid pin marks or snags in the fabric. If you take your time and focus, there is no reason to fear using silk!
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| A business card from the fabric shop |
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| 100% silk: lovely |
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| Close up view of the blue flowers |
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| As you can see, it drapes beautifully |
Now I decided that the time was right for me to do something with it. Maybe I was longing for spring. Maybe I was just wanting to feel productive. Maybe I was bored. Who knows? The end result is a blouse that I whipped up in less than 2 hours (and that includes cutting!).
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| Butterick pattern |
The above Butterick pattern was used for the blouse. I had previously made this top out of an inexpensive red polka dot fabric that I picked up at Joanne's fabrics. I wanted to make the blouse first out of an inexpensive fabric prior to cutting into a pricier fabric. This is so that any mistakes or fitting errors can be made without sacrificing the more expensive piece. (see below for red version). It also allows me to see how I like the finished version and if I want to change anything (sleeves, facings, etc).
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| Red polka dot verison |
I liked the way it came out so much that I decided to use the same pattern for the silk fabric. I did make some changes. I lengthened it about an inch. I am seriously long-waisted and often I have to alter the patterns to accommodate that. Also, I changed the sleeves to a non-flutter sleeve. The original pattern called for flutter sleeves (made on the red version). Now they are ok, but if I wear this with a cardigan (which I often do) then the sleeves tend to bunch up. I don't like that so I changed the silk version to a set in sleeve with pleats at the top.
Also, the silk pattern is a one way design. In order to make sure that things match up properly, you have to be careful when you cut out the pieces. That does require some planning and you have to make sure that you have a little extra fabric to work with. And since the collar is cut on the bias, make sure that you allow for that as well.
All in all, this is a very simple blouse. There are no buttons, closures or zippers of any kind. No interfacing is used and it comes together very quickly. I will use this pattern again and there are options to change it up even more. Used a different color for the collar, that will make it look completely different! If you wanted to add a placket and buttons on the front, that would change the look as well (something that I thought of for this version). It would also look good sleeveless for the summer, just use a bias fabric to create an edging of the sleeves ( which would also be great in a contrasting color to match the contrasting collar)!
So there are many ways you could change this around. I have a grey pencil skirt that I wear continuously (more often than I should!). This would work wonderfully with that!
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| The finished blouse! |
