Monday 28 April 2014

Liberty Afternoon blouse

Here's my beautiful Liberty fabric from Sewbox, swiftly transformed into an Afternoon Blouse. If I calculated the total amount of time it took to make it, the result would easily fit into an afternoon. In reality however, it took a couple of weeks as my boys have been on school holidays. I managed to fit in the odd twenty minutes here and there, in between herding them around museums and plying them with Easter eggs. It's really not my favourite way to sew, but beggars can't be choosers and I do have a goy-jus blouse to show for it, so all is well.


After my worries about the Simple Sew pattern (which incidentally has now gone to a much better home than I could give it), I decided I wanted to make something with minimal angst, that fitted well and could showcase the lovely floral print. With this in mind, choosing to make a second version of the Afternoon Blouse was a no brainer (my first version is here.) This time, I actually managed to cut out the correct size (8 everywhere, grading out to a 12 at the bust) and the fit is much more comfortable. I could still probably have done with a teeny weeny FBA - maybe one day I'll learn eh?! Nothing else out of the ordinary to report, except that I chose to make the rounded decorative neckline, just because. I still found it a bit of a fiddle attaching and pressing the facing but the end result is fine. The point at which the necklines cross did tend to gape a bit when worn, so I just topstitched that bit into submission.


As I suspected, the busy floral print completely camouflages the decorative neckline (you can just see it in the photo above, but that's probably because of the top stitching). That's just an observation though, not a criticism - the Liberty lawn fabric I used was perfect for this pattern. It barely frays and is crisp enough to press the facing to the inside of the blouse without any fights breaking out. In fact, I didn't even bother understitching it because it just stayed exactly where I wanted it to. I'm not the only one who thinks this way either. Just this morning I spotted Karen from Did You Make That?'s lovely Liberty version. And I promise we didn't confer beforehand, it's just sewing serendipity!

If you feel the need to add a classy little number to your wardrobe but only have a few hours sewing time to spare (an afternoon, for instance), then this could be the pattern for you. My thanks to Susan at Sewbox for generously allowing me to try out the Liberty fabric.


28 comments:

  1. Lovely! I feel like a bit of piping or other trim in the seam might be a nice feature, to highlight the pretty shaping in the front?

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    1. Great idea, I'll remember that for next time! x

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  2. I made this last week for the first time but had such horrendous trouble with the facing I was staying to think there was something wrong with me, I'm not a beginner sewer but for some reason this really have me trouble.

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    1. I think it is a bit tricky - I found trimming a clipping the curves really helped, along with a good press of course! x

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  3. This is stunning and looks wonderful on you!

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  4. That fabric is perfect for this pattern. This has to be my favourite version out there!

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    1. Oh wow, thanks, that's so kind of you! x

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  5. I love it, Jane! I envy you being able to sew with Liberty fabric!

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  6. this is so you chica. Looks beaut on you xxx

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  7. Tackel the FBA. It really is simple to do once you start. There are lots of on line tuts, but I think this one explains it well:

    http://blog.megannielsen.com/2012/04/how-to-do-a-full-bust-adjustment-fba/

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    1. Thanks for the link. I did one on my Georgia dress and it hardly took any time at all - my problem is sheer laziness! I'll definitely do one on my next project - promise! x

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  8. I've not seen this pattern before but I love your version :)

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    1. Thank you - it's a very easy pattern! x

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  9. It's beautiful! It looks lovely on you and really goes great with the skirt. Did you have bangs cut in your hair? I didn't notice them before. It looks nice. :)

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    1. Thanks Jennifer. I had the fringe cut back about three months ago, but I did have my hair cut last week too, which is why it's probably more noticeable! x

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  10. This is so lovely! Liberty seems perfect for this style!

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    1. I couldn't agree more - a match made in heaven! x

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  11. Super pretty and goes so well with your skirt!!

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  12. Your blouse is gorgeous.. Looks good with the skirt... I think I need to buy this pattern..
    HAPPY sewing.

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  13. that blouse is really pretty and suits your style so much better

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  14. Beautiful! It works very nicely with your skirt.

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  15. This is so pretty! I need to get this pattern, I need more quick makes at the moment.

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  16. Gorgeous, the Liberty fabric suits you perfectly!

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  17. I'm so glad you shared this and with your new observations on the FBA as it really does look a winner, especially in the Liberty fabric (of which I own quite a lot, with the vague idea of blouses but never finding the time!). Might even make one, as in really, properly not just plan to then forget! Bethxx

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