I just got a message from my mojo. She was very apologetic about leaving without notice and said she was on her way back home. I knew she would come back. She always does. But I'm not waiting for her return. I'm working on two –count 'em – two blouses. Here's the story ……
When my daughter came back from Morocco last year, she brought
three pieces of fabric for me. Her host mother (
a professional seamstress!) selected the fabrics and I was supposed to make some Moroccan caftan-like garment. I'm not really a woman who wears caftans so I selected a tunic (Burda 06-2009-135) instead. The fabric is a crinkled cotton and I also have an aqua/turquoise piece. After I laid out the tunic, there was enough fabric left for another project, as long as it didn't require lots of yardage. I searched my index for a blouse and found Burda Plus Fashion Spring/Summer 2006 #402. The blouses differ enough so that no one should notice they are from the same fabric. I would really like to have the long sleeved tunic finished before I go to Virginia to visit my daughter next week even though I'm sure she won't recognize the fabric unless I remind her.
I really want to use the trim DD and her host-mom selected. I won't use the trim unless I can come up with creative way to do so. So far, the best I've come up with is the put a small bit of trim on the tab. Using trim along the hems would make the tunic look retro and that isn't the look I was going for. I think of Summerset's perfectly embellished, prize winning
art pieces and the best I can do is a three-inch piece of trim on a placket! Life really isn't fair.
When my daughter came back from Morocco last year, she brought three pieces of fabric for me. Her host mother (a professional seamstress!) selected the fabrics and I was supposed to make some Moroccan caftan-like garment. I'm not really a woman who wears caftans so I selected a tunic (Burda 06-2009-135) instead. The fabric is a crinkled cotton and I also have an aqua/turquoise piece. After I laid out the tunic, there was enough fabric left for another project, as long as it didn't require lots of yardage. I searched my index for a blouse and found Burda Plus Fashion Spring/Summer 2006 #402. The blouses differ enough so that no one should notice they are from the same fabric. I would really like to have the long sleeved tunic finished before I go to Virginia to visit my daughter next week even though I'm sure she won't recognize the fabric unless I remind her.
I really want to use the trim DD and her host-mom selected. I won't use the trim unless I can come up with creative way to do so. So far, the best I've come up with is the put a small bit of trim on the tab. Using trim along the hems would make the tunic look retro and that isn't the look I was going for. I think of Summerset's perfectly embellished, prize winning art pieces and the best I can do is a three-inch piece of trim on a placket! Life really isn't fair.
Beautiful fabric and perfect patterns. As I was reading, I thought the trim would look great on the placket. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteYeah, we can't all be as creative as Somerset, but that doesn't mean your blouse won't look lovely. It will. I've seen your sewing. It will be fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI love the first pattern especially. You could trim the whole neckline and front edge of the blouse on the left. I think that it would look pretty and unexpected. The other option would be to trim the neck and outline the placket and do the cross piece with the trim. Better to have a bit more trim than just the cross piece. Also the sleeve hem. You could also outline the hem, up from the bottom and around a side slit, does it have one? Do tow or 3 rows at the hem. There are lots of simple options.
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you! Really, it takes a lot of planning to get that stuff just right!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of just a little trim on the tunic. I think it gives a nod to the style without it being too hippie-dippie looking. To be honest, there isn't too much you can do with that trim and style without it looking retro.
The button blouse certainly could be trimmed in a variety of ways to use the trim to the best advantage.
Beautiful fabric and trim. I'm sure that you'll think of a way to use it effectively.
ReplyDeleteI love both those patterns and the fabric and trim is really pretty. Whatever you decide I know it's going to look wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI think your mojo has indeed returned. Those are good ideas and how much fun to use fabric from foreign parts. I have a friend who passed on to me some silk saris when she was done with them. I have used some of them but I still have others because I, like you, want each project to be special and just right because both the fabric and the gift are especially meaningful to me. I look forward to seeing your finished projects.
ReplyDeleteWell, how about using the trim around the edge of the sleeve?
ReplyDelete