Blousy

Since I really like the pattern, I made another Violet:

You can also see my little helper as she tries to knock down the dress form. I confess that for this version I changed the pattern to the point where it’s a mere sliver of it’s former self: I left off the collar, made the gathered sleeve a bit longer and added sleeve bands, and finally, added darts. This fabric isn’t very flowy and the blouse would have been shapeless without darts… Alternatively, I was too lazy to pull out and cut a different shirt pattern since I already figured out how to make this one fit. I love the buttons: they’re vintage ones from my mother-in-law. I was all set to make a few more.

But then, Jasmine arrived. I did a trial run which came out pretty well, although I didn’t have enough of my test fabric for the collar and just used bias tape instead.

I actually liked the result so much that I wore it straightaway. The only other changes I made were to lower the neckline by 2 inches, front and back, and take in the back by, well, a fair amount. Hmm, I guess I have a small back. (One could also say I have a big front but… one prefers not to.) I wore this blouse straightaway and it is so, so, so comfy. It’s like a t-shirt but it’s, you know, real clothing.  And cute.

Since then I almost finished another Jasmine, and since my laziness knows no bounds, I’m doing the neckline with bias tape on this one too. I’m using a thicker fabric (a purple-blue shot cotton), and the blouse is meant to be a layering piece for fall. I am sorely in need of cute layering pieces. I’m finally back to my pre-children size and, well, I don’t have enough clothes to wear. I foresee lots of Jasmines in my future, with long sleeves, gathered sleeves, not gathered sleeves, maybe sleeveless… It’s such a quick blouse to make.

The blouse kick isn’t about to end with Jasmine. I’ve got some lovely silks from Mood to cut up and some vintage patterns to change beyond recognition. My little helper may get upset:

Both my children believe that fabrics are for pulling out of mommy’s bins and throwing on the ground and lying down on. Or to be used as head covering so as to walk into walls more easily then fall over laughing. Go figure. My sewing area is, as a result, generally a disaster zone. (And ONLY because of that. Not at all because I am, ahem, somewhat less than perfectly organized.)