I wish I were a better photographer, because this gorgeous shade of kelly green should be properly documented.
That one’s closer to the real color.
I really, really love this blouse–the color makes me so happy, the contrast fabric is so pretty, it feels really comfy, and it looks pretty decent, too!
I got the green “linen look” fabric at Seattle ReCreative and there was only about a yard of it. I didn’t bother to do a burn test on it, but judging by the its sheen and drape, I would guess it’s a rayon blend, maybe rayon and polyester? The contrast fabric is a quilting cotton.
Marking the fabric for all the tucks was a bit of a trial, since my marking pen didn’t show up on it and I didn’t want to use pencil on the right side. I wound up doing tailor’s tacks and drawing my fold lines with chalk.
(Despite how it may appear–since I seem to always pick patterns with tucks of some sort or the other–marking fabric has to be my least favorite part of sewing.)
The fabric frays like CRAZY, but I thought French seams (my usual) might be a bit too bulky, so I decided to finish the seams with more bias strips of the contrast fabric.
The combination of the two fabrics was so gorgeous, having those lovely finished seams to look at felt like giving myself a secret little present.
I sewed these all by hand because I seriously don’t know how people machine sew on bias tape and have it come out looking good on both sides. I guess I’m sloppier with measuring than I think I am, or something? This is an eternal mystery to me.
My difficult relationship with collars continued on this project. I was unpicking a thread nest that formed while I was top stitching the collar and managed to cut a hole in the fabric near the collar seam (sigh–I need new glasses). I initially thought I’d have to start over with it, but then realized I could just turn the collar inside-out again and re-sew the seam a quarter inch away from the original seam line. Luckily, this pattern has a pretty big collar and it came out looking fine.
I like the fit on this, though I know it’s a bit looser than the fashion right now. A little looser fit is just more comfortable to wear and I really hate constricting clothing.
I decided to use the same pattern again for the Yellow Submarine blouse–but with sleeves this time–and I’m about half finished with that as I write this. And, yes, I managed to mangle the collar on that one, too.
STH
Living in Color 
Absolutely lovely. I love the fit, too – trim but not snug. I prefer a fit that skims myself, rather than something very fitted. Wonderful colours and contrast! I especially like the contrast bias tape. Whee! (Sorry – can you tell I am yearning for true spring-like weather and flowers and such? It is really cold here still.) Thank you for sharing the cheer.
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Yes, that’s exactly it–trim but not snug. I need to be able to sit down and relax without feeling like a sausage in a casing! So sorry about your lousy weather there–this can be such a tough time of year, when it feels like IT SHOULD BE SPRING ALREADY DAMMIT and it isn’t in a lot of places. I do recommend finding something really bright and colorful to sew. I keep thinking of a line from “Hello Dolly”: “Time to be doing something a little foolish.” Thank you for your very kind comments and I’m keeping my fingers crossed for some spring to come your way soon.
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Looks fab! The bias trim really finishes it off – I’d be wanted to wear it inside out!
I bought a craftsy class last year called ‘sewing on the edge’ and it’s all about bias trim. I learnt a lot – it’s worth buying it when there’s a sale on 😀
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Thanks! I love the inside finish a lot. 🙂
I like using bias tape but our one local fabric store doesn’t carry very many colors. I bought myself a couple of those bias tape maker thingies and I just make my own now.
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Beautiful shirt! The tucks are a nice feature – worth all the marking.
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Thank you! One nice feature about the tucks that I forgot to mention is that the pattern piece has one line per tuck, so you fold on that line and sew next to it. A lot easier than having two lines per tuck that you have to match up. I wish more patterns did it this way.
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The contrast bias trim is so pretty with that blouse. It’s perfect for spring 🙂
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Thank you! It made my sewing room feel very springy–I hope you’re getting some spring where you are!
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Hi STH,
I really like your Springy blouse! The floral details give it a whole different personality and if you are like me, you probably feel happy every time you look at the flowers. Plus it looks great on you!
Enjoy wearing it!
Best,
M
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Thanks so much! I suspect you and I both have the same love of bright colors. 😉
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I like your floral accents. I’m going to have to try that. I’m such a plain person when I sew, I think I”m always worrying about what if it doesn’t “go” with everything else but this is to good an idea to miss out on. I’m getting better with this problem by making simple one color bottoms and then I can wear embellished tops.
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Yeah, that’s what I tend to do and it works pretty well; most of my bottoms are navy, black, or tan. That way I can make my tops as wild and colorful as I like and they’re still wearable. I don’t like clothing orphans, either.
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Hi Kitty, I was somewhat like that not that I used plain fabrics, but I used to be afraid of mixing fabrics in garments. I have lately discovered found that I really love the garments I make when I combine different fabrics. It all became much easier after I started trying. 🙂 Go for it! You have nothing to loose!
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I love the colours 🙂 It was a shame about you cutting the collar but it looks great the way you have rescued it! I hate collars so I take my hat off to you for getting it to look so good!
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I definitely need to take a break from collared shirts after I finish the one I’m currently working on. Whatever minimal collar mojo I once had is definitely on hiatus. 😉 Thanks, Natalie!
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