Thursday 22 May 2014

Yet another 1950's sleeveless blouse

If you like variety and change in your sewing blogs, then this post will probably have you banging your head against a wall. If you like predictability and things on repeat, then you've come to the right place. Yes, I've made yet another version of my go-to pattern for summer - vintage Simplicity 4238.



This version is plain white, which some may call boring, but I like to call perfect. Let me tell you, this top is so perfect I'm quite tempted to make another one exactly the same, just so I can rotate them in the wash! It's almost like a blouse version of a white T shirt, but with the lovely added fifties details that drew me to the pattern in the first place.


Construction-wise it was a cinch to sew - this is my fourth version (previous versions here, here and here), so I was able to whip through the instructions in no time.  The white fabric is cotton pique (Classic Textiles, Goldhawk Road) which has a very slight stretch and a crisp, waffle texture that I really like. It's a bit of a pain to launder, but worth it I think. It makes me think of tennis lessons and sailing - both imaginary of course, I've only had one tennis lesson in my life and I certainly wasn't wearing a crisp waffley white outfit…. The armholes are finished with white bias binding and I added some blue glass boat buttons that have been in my stash for ages. Sadly, the buttons must have been hand painted as they tragically lost their nautical mojo after one wash and you can barely see the boat details now. Never mind, I still like the navy contrast against the white.


Making this blouse has also made a little notch in my Vintage Pattern Sewing Pledge, hoorah. I'm now two vintage patterns down, one to go.  If you have your heart set on a sleeveless fifties blouse, then there seem to be lots of copies of this particular pattern on Etsy. Or this one looks pretty similar too.

As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, this blouse is the fourth version of Simplicity 4238 and my versions cover all bases:

Gingham...


Polka dots...


Floral...


Solid/plain…



This got me thinking - I have four versions of the same blouse, maybe I could rotate them day by day and wear variations of the same pattern for a whole week? Sound familiar?! Well, watch this space as I'm working out the finer details of a familiar challenge - all will be revealed in the next few weeks!!

In other news, the winner of the Love Sewing magazine giveaway is..... Lucy Howells!  Please email me your address Lucy and I'll get the magazine posted to you in the next few days. Thank you to everybody else who entered the giveaway.

Happy Thursday. x




43 comments:

  1. it's really lovely. of course you have made lots of versions since it suits you so well! do i feel OWOP coming on?

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think the plain white is perfect! What a great piece for your wardrobe!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I can't believe it's taken me this long to make a plain white top! x

      Delete
  3. I think repeats are fantastic -- nothing like being able to put your all into sewing a garment, knowing it will be just what you envision! I love all your versions, and even for "plain" white, you can introduce variation in the fabric texture, the buttons, trim or other detailing ...

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm a huge repeat fan (just look at my recent MMM post -yawn!). I say if you find and perfect something you love then take advantage of it! Your shirt is lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Personally I love seeing - and making - the same patterns over and over, for the reasons people have already said above. And I love wardrobe basics like this!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh so pretty! I love the white - and all the other versions, too! You've clearly mastered the pattern. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love all of them! The fit is very flattering. Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh be still my beating heart! Seeing them all in one post made me swoon. Gorgeous blouse, Jane and perfect choice of fabrics....

    ReplyDelete
  9. Would you mind telling me how tall you are? I am playing with proportions.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm quite a shortie - 5' 2". In the photos I'm wearing pretty high platform sandals (at least 2 or 3 inches). Hope that helps. x

      Delete
  10. Hmmm....It's clear I need to sew myself a pretty white blouse! Yours has got me all aflutter. Yes, it's simple, but the small details with the darts and the crisp front placket, the fabrication, the buttons...all adds up to adorable, and super wearable! Thanks for going to round four with this pattern. I'm a new follower and I might never have seen this beauty otherwise. Cool to know you're 5'2" too. I'm just under the mark myself!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love this! It's so crisp and gorgeous! In another life I think I was a tennis pro... or at least, maybe I got to wear the outfits! Love that classic white look for summer!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Ah ha lovely. Don't apologise for making this sweet little blouse. I can never find pique near me. I'm jealous of you and Brooke for your pique makes ☺

    ReplyDelete
  13. Ooh this will get a lot of wear. I don't have a white blouse in my wardrobe but when I did, I wore it all the time. You could try colouring the anchors in permanent gold marker. Try it on a spare to test first.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I just about want everything in your wardrobe and this blouse is no exception. It's just perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I am all for repeat sewing, oh yes! Love that you sewed up the epitome of staples, a perfect white blouse. Looks fabulous on you! I can definitely see why you'd like to sew up a second right away so you can rotate them. Might as well while you're on a kick! :D

    ReplyDelete
  16. What a beautiful, classic blouse! You're right - it will go with everything. I also make repeats of the same pattern over and over again. If you find a pattern you like, why not stick with it? Kind of like men in that respect. :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Couldn't resist Jane. Just bought this pattern on Etsy. It's my first vintage pattern and I bought a 14. If the measurements are right I will need to make bigger as I'm a fairly standard 12. Hope I can do it right.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh that's great, I'm so pleased! I'm a standard 12 in ready to wear too and my vintage pattern was the next size up from yours (vintage 16, 34 bust). I didn't change a thing so I would think yes, you'd probably need to grade it up. Let me know if you need any help with the instructions. Good luck! x

      Delete
  18. Really lovely...just what I've been looking for!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Really lovely...just what I've been looking for!

    ReplyDelete
  20. There is something undeniably chic & stylish about classic designs like this & you wear it perfectly Jane! To me, it's an "I-have-nothing-to-prove" blouse. Beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Absolutely adore this top, Jane, and all your previous versions of this pattern. Hope you don't mind but I've mentioned it (you) on my blog. Best wishes.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Love all of your variations of this blouse. Very classic top

    ReplyDelete
  23. Only four versions? I imagine you'll soon have a whole week's worth of this blouse, and maybe even two weeks! I love this blouse because it looks different with each color and print. You look absolutely darling in your latest version. You might try adding an eyelet version! I enjoy seeing your creations, and learning the story behind each new garment.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Suits you so well. Very elegant without being formal. Lovely

    ReplyDelete
  25. I don't think there's anything wrong with repeating what you've made- it's a sign that the pattern has been a success the first time round if I repeat it.

    ReplyDelete
  26. This is great!! You should have as many as you like :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. This makes me feel better about using the same pattern over and over! I have been challenging myself to try new ones, because after all that's how we find new favorites, but I have my go-to patterns too. Love how you're using this one. And just think how many fabrics would look good in this design! Go for it!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I never seem to have enough white tops in my wardrobe, they go with everything and always look so fresh. So I'm with you: perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Fab. I am attempting to make my own clothes, I have two Anna dresses that kind of fit and a New Look that is under completion and just doesn't fit so it's coming to Mum's next week for some help tweaking! I wish I understood a bit more about patter shapes and could make things fit a bit better. :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. I love all of your versions Jane! White one is very classic and it goes with everything. I need something like this! I'm also biased with the navy polka dots! I need this in my wardrobe!

    ReplyDelete
  31. OK, you've completely sold me on a white top. My Me-Made-May process has already told me this but I was still resisting! Your top really does look perfect/

    ReplyDelete
  32. This is such a lovely pattern! I might just have to add it to my project list :-)
    And I think it's really easy to fall into the trap of sewing pretty things and ignoring the basics. The basics are the most important pieces of a wardrobe as they make sure the pretty things stand out

    ReplyDelete
  33. Perfect indeed! And so totally not boring! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  34. I have this pattern in my stash! It's so cool to see it sewn up by someone else, since I haven't tried it yet; I love all of your versions! It certainly looks like a great wardrobe-builder, but not boring at all. =)

    ReplyDelete
  35. Lovely lovely lovely! I bet you will get SO much wear out of this this summer. I've wanted to try out a pique for ages, might have to check out Classic Textiles next time I'm there!

    ReplyDelete
  36. If it works, don't fix it! Who except the nitpickers among us would even notice if you wear a garment made in the same style but different fabrics? And who would be mean enough to criticize you for that? The style suits you, you've used fabrics that make you happy. Until my last closet clean-out, I had seven blouses made from the same Burda pattern in regular rotation -- they'd gotten so threadbare that I tossed them out, after scavenging all the buttons. How did I make myself do that? By promising to make seven more, ever so soon as possible. Carry thou on, O Maker of the Vintage 50s Blouse!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Jeeze I love this blouse. I wish I had this pattern in my stash!!! I would have at least 4 to my name, lol....

    ReplyDelete
  38. If it ain't broke don't fix it! This is a lovely blouse and it looks fabulous on you!

    ReplyDelete
  39. How fabulous your blouses are! I love fifties blouses, they could never be boring - those dart tucks give them such a lovely shape - semi fitted and shapely but still a touch relaxed. I also love the ones that have slightly kimono sleeves, just like a small cap but cut-on. Or the ones with longer kimono sleeves. I've made a couple and find them perfect for work and play, and they are the only style of blouse i actually like worn outside a skirt (or pants).

    ReplyDelete

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...