After seeing it in Lucky a few months ago, I can't stop thinking about the shape of this
JCrew brocade blouse. It's so appealing to me because it's dressier than a knit tee, but less "office" than a button down:
While holiday shopping I saw it on sale at my local JCrew, but of course I couldn't buy it: the simplicity of its shape would make it oh-too-easy to sew.
It's suprisingly difficult to find a pattern matching this top's simple shape.
New Look 6808, View A, approximates the look:
The 3/4 sleeve version of
McCall's 5661, which I've made before, comes close, though it's a bit too fitted. I could leave out the back darts:
The best match may be to make a short, shirt version of the
Burda dress I just made!
* * *
Did you receive any sewing swag from Santa? My mother completely surprised me with a dressform!
I also received new notions in my stocking, and my aunt gave me
"How to Use, Adapt, and Design Sewing Patterns" by Lee Hollohan. It was a nice holiday, though it's also nice to be back home and back in the sewing room!
20 comments:
I bet your Burda dress pattern cut short would be perfect. Would you use a side zip or is it loose enough to slip over? Also, this style is very 60's. I have seen some vintage patterns with this style.
That's an awesome gift!!!
The J Crew blouse has raglan sleeves. If you want this design feature, try Butterick 3030. It has the raglan sleeves and it's designed for wovens. Regardless of which pattern you use, I can't wait to see the results!
And all I got was a lousy cashmere sweater!
Great blouse. I want one too. I'd suggest using a basic knit tshirt pattern and going up two sizes at the bust and hips. I've looked at a few of these blouses in the stores and they don't have bust darts.
I agree, something dressier than a real tshirt, but not an office blouse is just the ticket. I wonder if these woven tshirts are as comfortable.
I agree with Gail about no bust darts, and I think no body darts either. I would just use the pattern you've already got, and make the adjustments Gail suggested. Draft a straight sleeve. Usually with a straight Tshirt design, there's nothing to it.
Good luck, and I look forward to seeing what you come up with!
Okay-- I came back to your post b/c I want to make it too! I like Shannon's suggestion--Butterick 3030. Hope you don't mind me stalking your blouse idea!
I got a new sewing machine for Christmas!!! Very excited, now I wish I wasn't working this week so I'd have time to play with it. Like the JCrew shirt idea.
I'm with Carolyn and Gail above, go with a t-shirt design but size it up. I love this idea and am going to copy you!
This is amazing! I am a TERRIBLE seamstress; this is pretty much my worst nightmare for myself, but I am AMAZED that you are doing this! I'll definitely come back often to see what beautiful clothing you've created :)
I love this blouse. Could you Frankenpattern it? You can do it. You have such a great eye....
If you didn't want the raglan sleeves, if the sleeve was switched out for a 3/4 one, it looks like the Pendrell blouse pattern I just got from sewaholic.com could work for this style as well. Thanks for the inspiration!
How lucky are you to get a dressform. I have wanted one for a while now. I also bought that book for myself, with Christmas money of course, and am way excited to getting working with it. Have fun with your sewing!
Michelle
I like the loose tshirt idea. The neck of the jcrew looks plenty big enough to fit over your head with no closure necessary .... and I agree with those who say "no darts". I can't wait to see the results...
Like Shannon, I think the JCrew blouse may have raglan sleeves, or ever some other, more fussy, sleeve shape, like a fitted kimono sleeve (fussy because that would need an under-arm gusset to allow for freedom of movement).
And I agree with all those who said 'no darts'. This is the sort of thing which is very easy to sew up but very hard to get perfect. I suspect there is some stretch in the fabric anyway. That would make getting it on and off a lot easier. And take care to find a very drapy fabric for it, if it has too much structure, the blouse will just look like a sack.
Re. reading (history) books: as much as I love sewing, reading is what I miss most for doing it so much. I hope you'll enjoy your book. Which Charles V is it about by the way? Of Spain (who also became Holy Roman Emperor)?
That is the one who came to my mind, but I think France has had one two, and probably other European countries as well. It gets confusing quite quickly because they seem to have used just a few names ;)
The dressform is an awesome gift! I'm all about the tee-shirt style blouse as well. Prettier than a regular tee, but less stuffy than a button-down. Can't wait to see what you decide!
That is an awesome gift! Have fun with your new toy! :)
My mom got me the same one this Christmas as well. I'm a new sewer too...Has made a world of difference! Enjoy :)
Nifty ideas! I find a lot of simple "tee-like" blouses in vintage patterns: I have a vogue one that I really want to try out. I suggest you check patterns from the early 60s. :)
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