Sunday 4 August 2013

Gingham tie-front blouse

Behold, my second make from Butterick B5895, (my first being the stretch denim Capris). This is a fifties-style tie front blouse with kimono sleeves and some lovely details such as French darts and a cross over collar at the back. Extra shape is given to the bodice by the tie front which clinches in the waist and immediately gives you a more fitted appearance. It's also a lovely, cool style to wear in hot weather.


The one hiccup I had with this pattern was attaching the collar and facing. I won't lie, it was an absolute bugger of a job, not helped by the brevity of the instructions. The underside of the collar still doesn't sit perfectly smoothly but hey, Elvis style collars are just the best for hiding all kinds of puckered seams and other unspeakable horrors. Despite this, I still think this is a pattern I'll be returning to again - next time I'll come prepared for full on combat with the collar!

I sewed a size 12 and the only change I made to the pattern was to lengthen the section above the tie front by an inch. This was because I'd read a few reviews lamenting the fact that the blouse ended up very short. There's a strange note on the pattern saying "No provisions provided for above waist adjustment" (why?), so I had to take a stab at where to add my lengthening line on the front, back and facing pieces. I decided on below the sleeve curve, just above the last buttonhole, which meant I had to re-draw the French darts as well. It's still pretty short, but with a high waisted bottom half, this shouldn't really present a problem. And if, like me, you veer towards vintage styles in your handmade wardrobe, you'll probably find quite a lot of high waisted bottom halves lurking inside. Go and have a look, you may be pleasantly surprised! Here's what I can team it with:



Stretch denim Capris...


Beignet skirts (I have two, both in plain colours), Kelly skirt and Ginger skirts (one denim, one red).

Teaming this blouse with my red Ginger skirt was the surprise hit of the day. I don't actually wear it that much (the crepe fabric's a bit weird to the touch) but after trying it on for my mammoth blouse-matching session, I wore it all day. 

High glamour down at the allotment wearing flip flops...


...and picking cherries!


A tie front blouse and a high waist are a great pairing: all the trimness you'd expect from being tucked in, but without any of the hassle.

My only regret with this make is my choice of buttons. I'd set my heart on some in-your-face ginormous buttons, but I actually think these may be a bit too big. In order to accommodate them, the buttonholes ended up about a foot wide (I really didn't think that buttonhole foot was ever going to turn the corner!) And because they're so big, they're closer together than I would have liked. They look nice and vintage-y though and they certainly won't put me off wearing it. 

The fabric I used was some of the turquoise gingham from my gingham bounty. It's quite thin, so I had to use a good quality interfacing to give the collar and tie some structure. I just love this shade of turquoise though, so don't be surprised if you see me sporting at least two turquoise gingham dresses next summer. I'm leaning towards Simplicity 2444, mainly because of this outstanding gingham version made by Roisin. It's even called the Oh Jane! dress after me! 


Any other pattern suggestions for Jane-friendly gingham dresses would be very gratefully received. Enjoy your day. x



36 comments:

  1. Oh it looks great! Definitely a good plan lengthening the body. Love the colour and the big buttons :)

    www.mancunianvintage.com

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  2. That collar's a bitch isn't it? I have my first go at the blouse ready to blog and mine's the same- a mess under that lovely big, all-concealing collar lol. I get how it was meant to go together, but it didn't happen that way. Possibly because I was a bit cavalier with my marking- I bothered to tailor's tack the shoulder darts in but forgot to mark those crucial flipping dots! I think next time I'l just whack a bit of bias binding over the seam on the back of the neck. Also, I only used three buttons. Four just looked like too many on such a short front! That aside, very nice blouse! I want to do one in black gingham at some point.

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    1. Yes, an absolute bitch!! I think the collar will be easier next time round as I did eventually work out how I should have done it (after I'd sewn it!) Will look out for your version Ginny. x

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  3. Very pretty indeed! And I don't think the buttons are too big, they just look good and vintage-y!

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    1. Haha, glad you like my newly invented word! x

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  4. Lovely blouse! Very good idea you had of lengthening the bodice!

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  5. You look gorgeous, and your blouse is awesome ! and I love the big buttons that you used, I don't think they look out of place at all. Massive love for your allotment too - please could I have a cherry ? :-)

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    1. Believe me, there are plenty of cherries to spare! There's a lot of future jam making coming up! x

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  6. Wow, Jane! Your dressmaking is going from strength to strength recently! I think the collar looks perfect, the buttons are perfect (not too big at all - they are just right and the fact they are placed closer together looks cuter and just right for a vintage feel). I love it best with the wide legged trousers - a match made in heaven in terms of balance and silhouette. Oh and the colour is beautiful!

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  7. Oh Jane indeed! Each time I read one of your posts I think 'that's it - today I am going to start making a (insert garment)' but then something else pops up and I'm distracted once again. One day ....! Jane x

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  8. I love your blouse, and think the buttons are fantastic! They're definitely not too big, and were the first thing that made me think "wow". Also, I love the collar and the gingham fabric. I can see you in a gingham Simplicity 2444, it would look fab!

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  9. Collar was indeed a right pain, I'm jot advanced enough to know how to fix it either haha.. and my top ended up too small. Boo
    Yours looks great tho:)

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  10. I have to comment on the allotment. OMG - that's fantastic! How much of your food do you grow in the summer? How far from your home is it?

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    1. It's fab isn't it?! We're really lucky, it's 5 mins walk from our house. My husband shares it with our friend but there's more than enough fruit and veg for the 2 families. We've had gorgeous summer fruits thus year (strawberries, raspberries, cherries, red currants, plums) and tons of veg (potatoes, salad, peas, beans, sweetcorn, courgettes). Onions, leeks, shallots etc will be ready soon. I'm not a gardener at all, I just totter up and pick the odd cherry, but it's a lovely peaceful place and the kids adore being there. Plus my husband is now super fit from all the digging! x

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  11. Super cute in all the different outfits.

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  12. The blouse looks lovely . I really like it with the sailor trousers.

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  13. Jane, I saw the title of this blog post before seeing the name of the blog, but I already knew it had to be you! This is a lovely summery blouse and I adore the huge buttons! The fact that it looks glorious with so many of your makes is just fantastic...I really need to work on a capsule wardrobe instead of going for the loudest fabric I can find all the time! Anyway, I'm loving your glam allotment look very much!

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    1. Haha, that made me laugh, I'm so predictable aren't I?! x

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  14. This shirt is so cute! It goes surprisingly well with everything, but I really like the capris and red skirt. The collar looks crisp and perfect - I would have no idea that it's not pristine underneath!

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  15. Love this shirt sooooo much. Perfect colour gingham and the buttons are fab. You look amazing Jane xxx

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    1. Thanks love, the collar reminds me of your lovely polka dot one! x

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  16. This looks fabulous with the Ginger skirt! Sooooo good!

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  17. I really love the buttons. They were the first thing I noticed and I said to myself how cute they are. That turquoise looks smashing on you and it totally versatile with your wardrobe :)

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    1. Thank you! Actually the more I wear it, the more I like the buttons, maybe they just take a while to get used to?! x

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  18. It looks great, with everything!

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  19. Holy Mackerel! You literally are the most glamorous gardener ever. You're to the allotment what Nigella is to the kitchen :) Love that blouse just gorgeous.

    xxx

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    1. Thanks darling, what a compliment! Adding glamour is about all I do down at that allotment, I'm a hopeless gardener! I'm good at picking vegetables and that's about it. My husband and our friend who he shares it with do ALL the work! x

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  20. The red skirt with that blouse is a winner!

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  21. I LOOOOOOVE this shade of blue gingham and you're looking as scrumptious as ever. I think 2444 is going to be a winner on you!

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  22. I have this in my to-do list.. I really need to make it! I love the red skirt paired with it :)

    -Amy (www.thatssewamy.com)

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  23. Such a cute top, it looks perfect with all those high waisted bottoms, gorgeous!

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  24. Cambie! A gingham cambie, I say!

    Also, love the gingham top. I really must stitch mine together. The pieces are all there. I just need to do it. Different pattern though (a McCalls one that I bought in the late 90s, I think).

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  25. Gorgeous! I love the top with the red skirt. It's very 4th of July.

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  26. Oh yes, this is so very Handmade Jane!! Love it and all the pairings you've made with it.
    Now, I've made simplicity 2444 bodice and think its gorgeous, so would look lovely in gingham, and not at all school uniformesque. There is of course the shirt dress if you did want to hark back to the good ol days and get your ankle socks out too....

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  27. Love this Jane, you look gorgeous in it....I have a similar plan with yellow, I hope I can pull it off :)

    www.staceystitchandknit.wordpress.com

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  28. I'm so jealous of your S3688 trousers! Ahhhhh amazing!!

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