Monday, September 3, 2007

LBB: Little Black Blouse

I missed my goal deadline by a week, but here it is, the 8/2007 BWOF gathered, tie-front blouse.

Likes/dislikes
The front gathering is very flattering, it really accentuates and adds curviness at the waist.

The back doesn't fit me as well as the front; there's a little too much fabric happening in the upper back area. I didn't notice this with my muslin, but that's quite possibly due to the fact that I only eyeballed the SAs when cutting out the muslin. Still, it's good enough to wear to work.


Fabric
Woven cotton with a touch of lycra


Alterations/design changes
Sleeves: As I mentioned before, I altered the sleeves by morphing this blouse with another blouse's sleeve because I'm not into the dropped shoulder look. The end result is okay, but then again I'm terrible at setting in sleeves.


Collar: The instructions indicate that both the top and bottom collar pieces (collar and stand) should be interfaced. In another BWOF blouse I made up, the instructions said specifically "interface top collar only" and this pattern didn't say that. I did a bit of research about collar interfacing and found that usually just one side is interfaced although occasionally both are interfaced. So, I interfaced both top and bottom, which resulted in a very stiff collar. I think it looks okay, but if I were to make this again, I'd just interface the top collar pieces.

Conclusion
I like how the blouse looks with the sleeves rolled up, a little more casual, so I'm going to wear it that way. Overall this blouse was easy to sew, and given it's flattering fit, I'd certainly recommend it.

15 comments:

Lori said...

This is a beautiful blouse and it looks fantastic on you.

Sew-4-Fun said...

Your blouse is gorgeous! I love it. I want it! :) I like what you did with the sleeves.

poplin said...

You should make it again with all the kinks worked out. The blouse flatters your figure!

loopylulu said...

Seems like you always make the stuff in BWOF that I have my eye on. I think this blouse flatters you very well.

Kitty Couture said...

Your blouse is fabulous Christina, it looks so good on you! Don't worry about the back, everyone will be so wowed by the front details that they won't even notice. Well done!!

Tany said...

Christina, your blouse is fabulous!
I really like it in black and it is very flattering on you! Well done!

Stephanie said...

Wow wow wow! As with all your creations, this looks very professional and it looks great on you.

cidell said...

I tried to eyeball the seam allowance on one seam of a recent project. Couldn't do it. This looks tremendous on you.

Anonymous said...

I love it! It's so beautiful and look gorgeous on you.

Linda said...

Your blouse is stunning! Between the design and the black fabric it is so sophisticated. I think I need to try this blouse. It just flatters everybody who has made this.

I bet you the room in the back will come in handy for work when you need to reach for something. I don't think it is so obtrusive to take away anything from the overall gorgeous look of this blouse.

Erica Bunker said...

I love this top and it looks great on. It has so many possibilities from being really dressy to wearing with jeans.

Anonymous said...

It's darling! Your little numbers are all so inspiring. One day my shirts will look so refined, I hope!

narcissaqtpie said...

this looks awesome on you . I am inspired!

Linda L said...

I really like your blouse. I may have to try replicate this one. I think it fits you well. If you think it is a little full in the back, try taking a deeper seam in the upper center back seam. That may pull it in a little. I don't think it look big or bad as it is, but the wearer likes the feel of things a certain way.

Kim said...

That looks fantastic on you! Really nice piece. I had a really thin but muscular shouldered boyfriend who liked his shirts to be more fitted than he could find in stores, and he didn't want to pay for alterations, so he dropped by my house a lot ;^). I used to sew 2 long curved tapers length wise up the sides of the back so it nipped the waist area in and gave a more fitted look to the upper back. He got the idea from westernwear shirts a friend of his had. You could probably also try two or three small decorative pleats in the shoulder seam of the back next time out. And, BTW, If you did this up again in a white shimmery fabric it would make a gorgeous topper for a cocktail skirt at holiday time. Then you could let me borrow it! :^)You are inspiring!
-Kim