Sunday, February 10, 2008

BWOF Project of the Month: January

Ready for sunshine...BWOF 01-2008-108

It's 40 degrees out and my down coat is still in heavy rotation, but I've got spring on my mind!


Fabric

Scrumptious swiss dot voile from Gorgeous Fabrics

Construction/alterations

After my whole debacle of trying to figure out the mysterious hidden button placket, I didn't even use it! I agreed with Colette's suggestion that a smoother placket would look better.

With Ann's Threads article on grainline in mind, I took advatage of the linear pattern of the swiss dots and cut the pattern pieces on the bias.

Topstitching the seams really helped to define the various grainlines.

Too much: a black topstitching thread was just too heavy for the delicate fabric
Not enough: black all-purpose thread hardly showed up
Just right: two strands of black all-purpose thread (with white thread in the bobbin) gave the perfect stitch definition

Omitted the neck bow-tie, obviously.

I measured my bicep circumference before cutting out the armbands, I have a little over 1" ease in the sleeve bands on this blouse. I learned this the hard way that it's no fun to wear a blouse with sleeves that you've always got to tug down because they keep getting stuck high on your arms...




Conclusion

I love the 3-piece bib front - it provides shaping that you just don't get on a single-piece front with bust dart.

Now if I could only find the time to sew all the other blouses from this issue...
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43 comments:

  1. AnonymousSun Feb 10, 03:21:00 PM

    this looks fantastic, wow, perfect!

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  2. AnonymousSun Feb 10, 03:33:00 PM

    Fantastic blouse, great fit too.
    Els

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  3. cidellSun Feb 10, 03:33:00 PM

    So cute! I love the swiss dot. This fabric stops the shirt from being too cuetsy!

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  4. AdrienneSun Feb 10, 03:38:00 PM

    Gorgeous!r

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  5. Erica BunkerSun Feb 10, 03:41:00 PM

    I love this top. I looked at it in the magazine and I was debating on making it. I don't know why it didn't click with me that this is just a shoulder princess seam because I was concerned about how to do an FBA. I just had a "DUH" moment. Yours looks fabulous and I love the fabric!

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  6. LoriSun Feb 10, 04:03:00 PM

    Very cute blouse, love your fabric. I just finished the long sleeve version of this blouse (need buttons) and left off the hidden placket, I couldn't figure it out either.

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  7. LeslieSun Feb 10, 04:08:00 PM

    Christina I love what you've done with the fabric grain orientation!! Really takes it up a notch. I finally broke down and bought this issue at Stonemountain this weekend, but I skipped right over this blouse because of the bow. Great job!

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  8. StephanieSun Feb 10, 04:10:00 PM

    It looks great! I love all the details you put into the top: the topstitching and playing with grains. It looks like a lot of effort but well worth it.

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  9. loopyluluSun Feb 10, 04:14:00 PM

    I love the way you cut the fabric and I totally agree that the topstitching helps define the cutting even more. I didn't even know there was topstitching thread. See the things I learn everyday =)

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  10. JulianeSun Feb 10, 04:28:00 PM

    This is a great blouse and it definitely looks great on you. I love the seaming and topstitching details, they are just perfect. Congratulations!

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  11. Lisette MSun Feb 10, 04:46:00 PM

    Just love it!You made a beautiful blouse.

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  12. Sew-4-FunSun Feb 10, 06:09:00 PM

    What a lovely blouse! The fit, the style, black topstitching, your fabric choice and how you used it. All perfect! I hope you get to wear it soon.

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  13. KellySun Feb 10, 08:20:00 PM

    fantastic! this is so cute! I am inspired by you everytime I stop by your blog! -kb

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  14. yaiAnnSun Feb 10, 10:11:00 PM

    It looks fabulous! I hope I have time to fit that in with the rest of my Brazil SWAP pieces!

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  15. SigridSun Feb 10, 11:22:00 PM

    So special with this fabric. Indeed time for spring, so sunny looking this blouse is. And I fully agree on your last line.

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  16. VickiMon Feb 11, 01:49:00 AM

    You have done a lovely job with this. Very pretty!

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  17. LauraLoMon Feb 11, 02:11:00 AM

    Ooooh perfection! I love this blouse, it looks absolutely great on you and the fabric is gorgeous!

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  18. AnonymousMon Feb 11, 04:03:00 AM

    Christina! What a stunning blouse, and very clever of you to cut the pattern pieces on the bias - it does so much to the fit of the blouse- just perfect on you. the topstitching is a great idea and I love the little black buttons too. Thankyou for the link to Threads - it's a great article. I look forward to each and every post:-)

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  19. AnonymousMon Feb 11, 07:39:00 AM

    That shirt is fabulous! You really made that fabric work for you, too. I didn't even remember it as being directional, but it's so subtle and it just WORKS.

    (also I can't wait to hear what you're picking from February's issue - I'm in LOVE with it!!)

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  20. ElarayMon Feb 11, 08:15:00 AM

    What a really cute blouse. Love the fabric and I love the way you used it to it's best advantage.

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  21. MelissaMon Feb 11, 09:42:00 AM

    I adore the blouse Christina - looking so forward to seeing it in person in Cali next month! :-)

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  22. AnonymousMon Feb 11, 09:50:00 AM

    oh yer good...! excellent!

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  23. AnonymousMon Feb 11, 10:36:00 AM

    Looks wonderful. And I have to agree that there's a shape to this that is very feminine. The fabric is darling, too.

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  24. AnonymousMon Feb 11, 07:40:00 PM

    Simply stunning! I love it!

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  25. KatrinTue Feb 12, 06:42:00 AM

    Super cute!
    Funny, I am planning this blouse next, too!

    Katrin

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  26. LashellTue Feb 12, 06:58:00 AM

    Great top, I really love the fabric you used.

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  27. Liz R.Tue Feb 12, 10:37:00 PM

    wow! i'm totally impressed. i followed the link to the pattern (i think). where did you buy the pattern?

    lizandrobreese@yahoo.com

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  28. doracouture su misuraWed Feb 13, 01:36:00 PM

    This blouses is very nice,i'm planning it's.Thank you

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  29. BethWed Feb 13, 03:16:00 PM

    The blouse is gorgeous! Topstitching and bias are perfect!

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  30. CennettaWed Feb 13, 04:45:00 PM

    Very well done, Christina. Too cute.

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  31. TanyThu Feb 14, 06:24:00 AM

    Outstanding job, Christina! Just perfect!

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  32. Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic)Thu Feb 14, 06:54:00 PM

    A really cute top! And I understand about wanting spring to come! :)

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  33. AnonymousSat Feb 16, 10:14:00 PM

    Great top. Love the topstitching details and the use of black thread. Makes it really pop. Even my teen DD loved it.

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  34. Johanna LuSun Feb 17, 11:10:00 AM

    Wow! To me this as the ultimate blouse, it has everything that I love ; swiss cotton, an intricate and fitted cut and puff sleeves. You have done an amazing job!

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  35. AnonymousMon Feb 18, 01:11:00 PM

    Looks wonderful!!

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  36. ifthisistuesday.wordpress.comMon Feb 18, 02:30:00 PM

    What a great blouse! I love what you did with the fabric--good call there--& it looks terrific on you.

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  37. AnonymousTue Feb 19, 10:01:00 AM

    I just found your blog and you are so talented!!! That blouse look great on you. May I ask a stupid question: What does BWOF mean?

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  38. ChristinaTue Feb 19, 10:04:00 AM

    Rachel - Perfectly valid question! BWOF stands for Burda World of Fashion, it's the magazine where the pattern is from (you can click on the link below the first photo).

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  39. BerryTue Feb 26, 12:25:00 AM

    Great version of the blouse. I love it.

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  40. MarjiWed Feb 27, 07:46:00 AM

    Very pretty. I really like the subtlety of the change of grain line that the dots bring to the blouse. Not in-your-face change, but pretty and subtle.

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  41. Gorgeous ThingsWed Feb 27, 02:24:00 PM

    Late to the party, but may I say, "WOW!" That is one fabulous shirt. It looks fantastic on you, and you did a great job with the grain!

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  42. AnonymousSun Aug 24, 09:34:00 AM

    Hi Christina,

    I have a question about the buttonband on this shirt. The pattern says NOT to have seam allowance on the lengthwise edge of the front band. So that means BOTH sides do not have 5/8" seams? Mine seems to be coming out weirdly shallow on the front and narrow on th wrong side. Hope you can help.

    Thanks

    monique

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  43. AnonymousWed Mar 25, 02:21:00 AM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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