Finished: V1260

Vogue 1260

I took a baby step outside of my comfort zone with this blouse.  First, it's not Burda!  I sew Burda patterns almost exclusively. Lately, I've been looking at, buying and actually sewing other patterns.  Second, it's not a style I would normally choose for myself.  Sandra Betzina wore it at PR Weekend San Francisco.  I liked it on her, even though I passed it over in the Vogue catalog.  I bought the pattern the next day without waiting for a $3.99 sale at JoAnn.

I find Today's Fit designs a little quirky.  Vogue's writers describe it like this: "Semi-fitted blouse. Shirred effect is caused by elastic sewn to seams.  Optional trim or cording. Optional sleeve tabs."  Today's Fit sizing is also a little quirky.  Sandra Betzina devised a whole new table of measurements that seem to suit me quite well.  One of the things I like about this pattern is the many options it provided.  It can be color-blocked or solid, trimmed or untrimmed, long or capped sleeves, buttons or snaps.  I chose individual options, but I like the gestalt of this blouse.  I couldn't name a particular feature that appealed to me, but I knew I had to have this top.

Sandra Betzina provided extra tips and techniques in her Today's Fit patterns.  The instructions were easy and the tips, in this case hemming with Steam-a-Seam and shirring with clear elastic were helpful.  I didn't use the Steam-a-Seam hemming technique because I couldn't find 1/4" Steam-a-Seam.  Sandra has you apply the S-A-S to the right side of the hem and double fold it, the iron to adhere the hem before sewing.  I just serged the edge and double folded using the serging as a guide.  The clear elastic shirring technique is much easier than the technique I normally use.  I cut the elastic to a specified length and stretched it as I sewed it to the seam.  When the elastic is relaxed and returned to it's original length the shirring appears like magic.  No fussing with gathers as I've done in the past.

I used my favorite summer fabric - LINEN!  I love sewing and wearing linen, in spite of the wrinkles.  This color is not the best for me, but I loved it on the bolt.  Still, I'm happy with this top because it represents a change for me.  I usually sew Burda and I usually stick to boring plain designs. This is a nice, light top for summer.  and it will be perfect for the 90º+ days I know are coming.

Another step outside my comfort zone:  I didn't have to crop off my head in this photo.  I use a self-timer to take photos for this blog.  I have a hard time producing a natural looking facial expression when I'm interacting with a camera instead of a human.  I end up looking like I just witnessed (or committed) a vicious murder. So, I spent $75 on Photoshop Elements so I could, among other things,  pixelate or otherwise distort my face.  And wouldn't you know, after spending the money, somehow I managed to squeeze out a natural looking smile.