Step 1: Select a piece of remnant fabric, leftover from Mother's sewing project, that is somewhat T-shaped. It's a synthetic crêpe-like fabric with a silky feel and a leaf pattern woven in. It is obviously a leftover piece, since one could see something had been cut out from it, although I don't recall what. Don't remember Mother having a garment sewn from this fabric. I loved the design of the fabric, however, which is why I kept it, even though I wasn't sure if there was enough to make a blouse from it.
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| Close Up of the Fabric (it looks grey in the picture, but it is actually black) |
Step 2: Adapt a paper pattern (Simplicity 7905), meant for a dress and several sizes too big. I don't remember when I bought this dress pattern, but there is a 1997 date printed on the package.
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| Pattern Used and Adapted |
Step 3. Cut out the front from the widest area of the fabric, even though it is a bit too short!
Step 4. Use the pair of scissors generally kept for cutting paper, instead of the pair used for cutting fabric (they both look the same, with orange handles) and wonder why it is not cutting the fabric too well.
Step 5. Cut out a strip to attach to the bottom of the front piece to give it added length. Realize that the strip isn't long enough for the full width of the front piece. Cut another, rectangular piece and sew to the first strip and piece out the pieces! Then, sew this patched piece of fabric to the bottom of the front piece. Tell yourself that it won't be seen if you tuck in the blouse to the waistband. Hope it won't be noticed even if you wear it untucked.
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| Piecing it Out! |
Step 6. Realize that the balance piece of fabric is at least 2 inches narrower than the piece used for the front. Cut the back piece 2 or so inches smaller than the front because that is what the fabric will allow. This requires some moving around of the pattern piece to make sure the neck line is wide enough, the shoulders are the same width, and the armholes are within the width of the fabric.
Step 7. Baste the shoulders and sides together and try it on over the stretched out bra you wear for the house because the better fitting ones were laundered earlier in the morning and are hanging up to dry. Not that it matters much anyway (what with the lumpectomy and swelling, etc., things are a bit lopsided to say the least). By some miracle, the blouse actually fits! There might have to be a dart near the armhole to take up some extra fabric, but that might be due to the bra being worn at the time of trying on the blouse. Decide to try it on again with one of the other bras after they've dried.
Step 8. Take another piece of remnant fabric from the stash to cut the bias bindings for the neckline and the armholes, as there isn't enough fabric leftover after cutting the blouse to make the bias bindings. Start cutting the strips.
Step 9. Realize, finally, that you've been using the paper cutting scissors to cut your fabric and that's why it's not cutting the fabric properly! The fabric cutting scissors is with your quilting stuff! Go to the other room and get it from the bag with the quilting project. Be happy that you actually knew where it was and was able to locate it on the mess that is your desk! Finish cutting the bias bindings. Marvel at how easily the fabric cutting scissors actually cuts the fabric! Fondly remember the sewing teacher who taught you to cut and sew bias bindings in 4th or 5th grade and who despaired over your lack of sewing skills!
Step 10. Forget that you meant to do another fit on with the proper bra to see if darts were needed and sew the bias bindings to the neckline and arm holes!
Step 11. Next morning, try on the blouse with the proper bra and heave a big sigh of relief that it fits and darts are not necessary.
Step 12. Fold and sew down the bias bindings. Trim the lower edge to more or less one level and sew the hem. Iron the resulting blouse.
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| Finished Blouse |
And there you have it! A sleeveless blouse (there wasn't enough fabric for sleeves) in 12 easy steps (sort of)!
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| Worn Over the Skirt |
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| Worn Tucked In |
Were the 12 easy steps helpful? Do you think you might want to sew a blouse, too?
It's gorgeous Bless. It looks lovely with that skirt.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you have described each step beautifully but I still wouldn't know where to start. I'm always in awe of anyone who can create things like this and how fabulous to be able to wear something you have made yourself. X
Thank you, Jules. I am pleased with how it turned out. I couldn't wear that black skirt for some time because I didn't have a plain black blouse to go with it (my old black blouse was too stretched out).
DeleteVery nice job, especially since you had to piece together the fabric. I agree with Jules. It looks very good with that skirt. Does this fit the bill for the black blouse you've been needing? Or do you still want one with sleeves?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Live and Learn. This fits the bill for the black blouse I've been wanting, although I would have preferred to have short sleeves. But I can always wear a cardigan or jacket with it, if I need to cover my arms.
DeleteWell done on your lovely blouse and happy you were able to wear it out on your lunch date. There was no such thing as a sewing teacher at the school I attended. The girls did receive instruction in domestic science which was a fancy term for cooking.
ReplyDeleteI like the cheerful sheet/cover under your quilt on the bed!
Thank you, Sandy. :)
DeleteThe lilac thing peeking from under the quilt? That is the "bed skirt" that came with the sheet set. :)
We were taught sewing in 1st grade by the class teacher, but that was a bit of embroidery on a tray cloth type of thing. But from second grade on, until 8th grade, we had a sewing teacher and sewing was a regular weekly class, along with other "enrichment" classes such as art, singing, dancing, crafts (we learned to knit or crochet - had to choose one - in 4th grade, pottery and spinning in 5th grade, etc. I recall we were also taught how to handwash a hanky in 6th grade!), exercise, etc. Cooking was taught in grade 6, but it was only for 1 year. I learned to make something called "cheese puffs" and omelettes (separate the whites from the yolks, beat the whites with a fork until it made stiff peaks, etc.) and I seem to recall baking a cake. It was assumed we'd learn how to cook rice and curries at home, because we weren't taught that.
You are amazing! What a wonderful talent you have for piecing this blouse together and what a terrific talent for writing up this story. So funny and very entertaining.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan. :) I wasn't going to let a little thing like not enough fabric stop me! :D
DeleteI don't know what I liked better, the story of the process or the finished top. Both are so cute!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Anne. Glad you liked it. :) The next time I sew a garment, however, I shall treat myself to a piece of ample fabric!
DeleteYou are so resourceful cutting the fabric in such a way that you can make a blouse out of it. The result looks great with that pretty skirt. You are certainly a skilled seamstress.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bushlady. I am wondering if I am brave enough to sew a pair of pants, next!
DeleteWell done! I'm sure your mother was smiling at this latest accomplishment [now called 'hacking'...what did DD think? Did friend hear the tale of how irritating paper scissors are chopping fabric? Would you consider painting the scissors used for paper and general snips with a generous swipe of nail polish generally in the thumb hole area and even the screw zone to hold the screw tightly in place as well as to distinguish it from 'cutting' scissors for fabric and craft work? Have you cut fine sandpaper in shards to sharpened scissors?
ReplyDeleteShould you again find yourself using a remnant, before taking scissors to fabric, I suggest carefully measuring the front, back, and each dimension side to side, of your best fitting shirt [or whatever garment to be replicated]. You will find it is far less noticeable to add needed length or width to the back of a shirt than the front.
Enjoy each wearing of your silky black top in good health!
Thank you, Hon. The scissors were marked with an identifying F (for fabric) and P (for paper) with a permanent marker, after the weekend's experience. It was probably something I should have done earlier!
DeleteCutting sandpaper to sharpen the scissors is a brilliant idea! Thank you, too, for the suggestion to make the adjustments to the back rather than the front. I have to keep that in mind.
Hope all is well with you, Hon, and that you are recovering nicely. Take care.
LOL, I laughed so hard, Bless, thanks for this! Even if I knew how to sew, I'd probably make the same mistake as you. And the overstretched bra part had me hooting with laughter :)
ReplyDeleteIt looks beautiful. You can't see the rectangle that you tacked on at all! Go you! And no, I won't be attempting it. I really need someone to teach me how to read a pattern, cut, etc. I don't even know what a bias cut is. What a nice skill to have, though!
Glad you enjoyed it, Nathalie. :) You really have to look closely to see the sewn on band (at least, that's what I tell myself!) A bias cut is cut on the diagonal of the fabric - it gives more stretch to the resulting piece of fabric so it drapes better or accommodates the curve of a neckline or armhole, without puckering.
DeleteBrilliant post Bless, the way you related your little mishaps made me laugh and I loved the bit about the scissors and the house bra :)
ReplyDeleteThe fabric is gorgeous. I'm glad with a bit of jigging around you managed to get a blouse out of it. I'm sure your mother and sewing teacher would be very pleased with the outcome. xx
Thank you, Suzanne. Glad you enjoyed reading it. I think my sewing teacher would have been most surprised because I was the "least likely to sew her own clothes" student! My mother would have laughed. :D
DeleteBless, this made me laugh. I have had very similar series of misadventures when working on a sewing project! I love the finished project!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Laura. Glad you enjoyed reading the post. :)
DeleteDespite the misadventures of making the blouse, it turned out lovely!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Debbie. :)
DeleteThe blouse looks so lovely! With your sewing skills, Bless, you really have no need to shop in stores for clothing. Both blouses are so pretty and you should be quite proud that you created items that are practical, functional and attractive. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carolyn. I don't consider myself as accomplished at sewing clothes as my mother was, but I can manage to sew a few things.
DeleteI love the style because it is so versatile. The material is simply gorgeous! Jealous of your awesome skills!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joy. It is a simple style, but, as you say, versatile. :)
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