Blouse 1
Blouse 2
So now, I have two different looks from the same fabric. It is a far, far better thing to have two options rather than one.
Friday, July 16, 2010
A Tale of Two Blouses
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was a period of the right fabric, it was a period of the wrong pattern, it was the age of good intentions, it was the age of poor follow through.
Blouse 1
I started out wanting a blouse to go with the shorts I'd made. By chance, fabric I bought from JoMar and fabric I ordered from Sawyer Brook went together nicely. The blouse pattern I chose (Burda 3214 OOP) called for shoulder pads. I'm not a fan of shoulder pads – haven't been since the mid-eighties. If I'd remembered the shoulder pads before I cut the fabric, I would have altered the shoulders to eliminate the extra ease. I didn't like the wrinkles in the shoulder without the shoulder pads, so I put them in. Then, I didn't like the NFL tackle look, so I took them out. I tried smaller pads and they changed the look from a tackle to a quarterback, but that wasn't the look I was going for either. After fiddling with three different sets of shoulder pads, I decided to eliminate them altogether and wear the blouse padless. It's a casual shorts outfit, after all. A few wrinkles at the shoulders can be overlooked.
Blouse 2
Blouse 2 came about much easier than blouse 1. In the middle of inserting and removing various shoulder pads, I suspected I'd never wear the short sleeved blouse with the shoulder pads and I was afraid the blouse wouldn't see the light of day. Luckily, I had a large enough piece of the fabric leftover to make a second blouse. I chose Burda Plus Fashion Spring/Summer 2006-410. I haven't worn a sleeveless blouse in years, so this blouse represents a wild leap outside of my comfort zone. Three digit temperatures will make you do crazy things. The blouse has bias binding on the armhole and facing on the neckline. It has waistline darts in the front and back to give a more fitted silhouette. I also like the way the armscye fits my body without gaping. I found suitable wood-like buttons in my button collection so I didn't even have to go out and buy buttons.
So now, I have two different looks from the same fabric. It is a far, far better thing to have two options rather than one.
Blouse 1
Blouse 2
So now, I have two different looks from the same fabric. It is a far, far better thing to have two options rather than one.
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I googled burda 3214 and was surprised to see it was one of the oop I bought online last year. Thanks for showing your version-it looks pretty as does the sleeveless version- nice work. mssewcrazy
ReplyDeleteI like both blouses - and the sleeveless one looks nice on you. You should make more :)
ReplyDeleteWow! I love the sleeveless version. You "lost" 15 pounds by going from the blouse with a boxier bodice to the fitted, sleeveless version! You go girl! Looks great! I need some of your sewing mojo... can you share????
ReplyDeleteI don't know what to do about the shoulder pads. You'd have to rip out and restitch the shoulder and then cut a new sleeve as the cap would be radically different.
ReplyDeleteI like your tank top. You can always wear a light cardigan over it if you don't want to go out sleeveless.
Good save.
There is nothing wrong with your arms girl! I like the sleeveless blouse better than the first one because of the neckline. It's flattering and I really like that print. You look good and cool, a definite benefit this summer.
ReplyDeleteLee,
ReplyDeleteYou have great looking arms and you live in Philly where we are on our 30th day of 90+ weather. I say keep making those sleeveless tops - and a few skirts too! You look great.
Annette
Nice job - I think both versions are great and definitely give you a choice in the hot weather while still looking neat and put together.
ReplyDeleteI love the fabric and the sleeveless version looks great on you! Show more of those arms, you look great!
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed a far, far better thing to have two choices! and lovely ones at that!
ReplyDeleteLoved your intro! Somehow blouses are looking so much better than T shirts. That fabric is super, and both your tops look great.
ReplyDelete