A Vintage Blouse with Puffy Sleeves

Leave a comment June 26, 2020 apinchofsewing

Hello,

I don’t know about you but lately, I haven’t been feeling like sewing much. Hopefully, my mood will change soon.

Nonetheless, I really wanted to share this blouse I made a few weeks ago, as not only I really like how it turned out but, also found it quite interesting to make.

The pattern is a vintage one, Style 4752, from 1974, found on eBay. I was looking for a pattern similar to this one when I come across this one and really liked it. My initial idea was a peter pan collar and I first thought about changing the pattern however, the bow won in the end and I do not regret it. I can always make another version, right?

Besides the short sleeve version, this pattern also includes a long sleeve option and a skirt with two lengths, available in size 10. Actually, my husband said this blouse would look better with a skirt so, I might have to make one…

I did not make any changes or adjustments to the pattern and I absolutely love the fit. The French dart improves the fit so much! I didn’t quite finish it how it is mentioned in the Complete Guide to Sewing (my most used sewing book) and “had to” finish with the overlocker. How do you finish French darts?

This was my first time making a bow tie collar and the instructions did not mentioned interfacing the standing part, so I didn’t. However, I now think I should have. Next time I will know! That is the beauty of sewing, there is always something new to learn.

The fabric used is a lightweight dobby cotton from Ratucos, bought a couple of years ago. I wanted the pattern to “shine” and, for that reason, a plain fabric would, in my opinion, work better. I like how it turned out.

Of course, my favourite feature is the sleeve. No surprise here! I really like how puffy it is. The bow tie also looks cute and I am happy I decide not to change it.

Have a lovely weekend.

Maria x

Puff Sleeves Blouse for M

2 Comments May 29, 2020 apinchofsewing

Hello,

Well, three posts in a week! This is a first!

I am really happy to share this make with you. As you might have realised already, I am not very adventurous when it comes to make changes to patterns. I am always afraid to ruin the fit and I end up waiting for a pattern similar to what I am looking for.

Not this time. M did like my Norma Blouse and it is more and more difficult to make things that she like to wear, so I took this opportunity to make something for her.

What M liked the most were the sleeves (can’t blame her) so, that was my main point. Now, I do not know any children’s pattern with that kind of sleeves however, I was determined to achieve it. I had an idea where to start and that was the Maria Blouse from Suco by Susana.

Now, the Maria Blouse already has a puff sleeve option so, that was my starting point. I made the shirt option in size 9 for height with size 7 for width based on her measurements and omitted the collar as per her request. I finished the neckline with bias binding, the same way as the instructions, except there was no collar.

For the sleeves, I kept the puff sleeve head without changes, as it already had the volume I wanted and I didn’t want to mess the armhole fit. Next, I added the length desired. No complex math involved here as I just measured on M where I wanted the cuff.

In order to have the desired volume at the cuff, I kept the sleeve similar to the Norma blouse one, only slightly smaller. Sorry, my pattern making knowledge is close to zero luckily it worked, I think. I am happy enough with how it turned out and so is M.

As for the fabric, I used the same as for my blouse, a dobby cotton (plumeti) from Ratucos.

You didn’t think I was going to waste an opportunity to take photos with M twining, did you? We are not going to wear the blouses at the same time to go out, but it was good fun to take the photos and, in a few years, I will enjoy looking back at those.

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I am pretty pleased with how this bloused turned out but, most of all, I am pleased that I stepped out of my comfort zone to make it, even if was something simple. Small steps.

Have a lovely weekend.

Maria x

Norma Blouse

2 Comments May 27, 2020 apinchofsewing

Hello,

I guess the warm weather is really having a good effect on me as my sewing plans are turning to life!

Today I am sharing a blouse recently released by Fibre Mood in their Edition 9. I don’t believe it is necessary to tell you what attracted me in this pattern, right? Just look at those sleeves!

The pattern itself doesn’t bring any more options however, it is easily adjustable and I have seen some modifications that included turning it into a dress so, it is a good starting point.

The instructions mention the pattern is available from size 4 up to 30 however, when printing, the sizes are 32 up to 58. I supposed that being a size 6 by the instructions, I would be a size 34 and that is the size I printed and made. Also, it is possible to print with layers and we can print with or without the seam allowances.

As previously mentioned, I made a size 34 (or 6) without any changes. I am happy with the fit however I noticed the blouse has no bust darts so, I am not sure how the fit will be for bigger sizes. Nonetheless, all the versions I have seen are lovely.

Regarding the fabric, I used a dobby white cotton or plumeti if you prefer. It is a light weight fabric and in my opinion, it worked pretty well. I got the fabric fromRatucos quite a few time ago, but they usually have a lovely selection of this fabric.

I made this blouse with the intention of using it with high waist jeans and for that, it has the right length however, depending on what it will be used with, I might add a couple of centimetres in future ones I make.

Overall, it is a lovely pattern and I will use this blouse a lot, of that I am sure.

Hope you are having a nice week.

Maria x

Summer Tops for F

Leave a comment May 14, 2019 apinchofsewing

During Eater break we had some lovely warm weather and that was when we realised that F had barely anything to wear!

As usual in the UK, the good weather did not last long and it gave me the perfect time to sew a few tops for F. I also realised that she is growing out of quite a lot of the girls’ patterns I own, as well as some of my Japanese Sewing Books…

Also, I wanted to use some fabric scraps with less than one metre each, that were left from previous projects and these tops proved to be the perfect project for the effect.

The first top I made was the Eloise Gathered Top by Townmouse Patterns. I’ve made this pattern before, three years ago for M and really like it but, unfortunately, F has now outgrown it. To make it work for her I used the size 8 (her chest measurement) and added 5 centimetres to the length.

The fabric is Liberty Tana Lawn in Betsy Denim from Stragier. This print/colour is so beautiful! I also added a cotton lace trim to the front to add some interest. Not that it needed, as both print and fabric are quite beautiful but, I just couldn’t help it.

The second top is also a repeat from one I’ve made previously for F. It is the “Le Haut à Encolure Volantée” from the book “Nouveaux Intemporels pour Enfants”. I made a size 8 for width with 10 for height.

This time, she chose the fabric and picked a Liberty Tana Lawn Ella and Libby bought ages ago (literally). Such a summery print!

The last top is a really lovely top from the Japanese book “A Sunny Spot”, pattern #10. This is a simple boxy top with just a couple pattern pieces, however, the elastic at the armhole gives it a cute look and adds some interest. I really like how it turned out, simple but cute.

Of course, I had to use F’s favourite print/colour, Liberty Tana Lawn in Capel mustard. I made the size 140 thinking that it would be fairly large on her as she is not 140cm tall but was surprised to find out that it fitted rather well.

All the tops can be easily paired with jeans, shorts or skirts, so that they will have plenty of use and as I made the tops on the large side, fingers crossed, they will last until the end of this summer!