Either way, I am so far loving Pattern Runway's Pussy Bow Blouse pattern, which I bought to make a blouse from some lovely bird-printed silk I found at Mood last weekend. (Over lunch after our shopping trip, the lovely Oona had suggested I check out Pattern Runway's stuff, and this blouse pattern happened to be pretty much what I was looking for.) I LOVE that the seam allowances are 3/8 inch on Pattern Runway patterns. Trimming the excessive 5/8-inch seam allowances on commercial patterns bothers me to no end.
Oona told me Pattern Runway patterns tend to be long in the waist (which I am not), so I thought making a muslin was a must. (Plus the intended silk cost $14/yard, so I didn't want to waste it on an ill-fitting top).
I cut a straight medium from some poly chiffon I had on hand (it's similar in weight and feel to the bird-print silk), and as I expected it's a little tight through the hips on me. I got my husband to take a few quick photos to illustrate that point, and my sidekick insisted on appearing in every single one:
I'm lazy, so I only sewed in one sleeve:
See how the side seam is pulling to the back? I'll need to shift the side seam and do some slashing and spreading to add a little flare to both front and back. As far as construction goes this sews up like any other collared shirt. It's pretty easy if you're familiar with sewing menswear:
I couldn't take any more of the clinging-on, so I stepped aside and let Lucy have the photoshoot to herself:
So that's what I worked in the few spare minutes I had this weekend. Pattern Runway: check it out!
Hahaha... I'm sure the clinging is enough to drive you nuts, but she is awfully cute. Can't wait to see this finished top! I'm a sucker for bows.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait either now! Thanks, Mika!
DeleteWhat great shots! This should be a lovely blouse.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Peter. Do your little dogs ever pull this kind of crap on you when you're trying to get a few photos taken?
DeleteThankfully, they usually just doze in the background.
DeleteI LOVE Pattern Runway even I made this blouse - a variation anyway - that I never wear. I need to revisit it.
ReplyDeleteYours looks great! And your little shadow is adorable.
ooh, I should check yours out. I was looking for finished versions of this online to get a sense of fit, etc.
Deleteoh, SHE'S A SUPERMODEL TOO, EH? you gotta do a little bit of everything in this day and age, y'know.
ReplyDeletei'm loving your muslin. seriously digging it, kind of want you to hack it across the waist and wear it as a crop top. your sewing is exquisite!!!
Honey you can have it. This fabric has a weird yellowish sheen to it. I believe I got in a box of castoffs from a neighbor who had probably used it for home dec. I never turn down free fabric; you never know when it will come in handy!
Deletemaybe fanny packs make us all a little nervous these days...? :)
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing this made up in your silk. Good luck and have fun!
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ReplyDeleteUsing either of those words in Ireland to describe clothing would get a lot of muffled laughter! It looks like a good staple blouse pattern, and I only ever do one sleeve too - I think it's safe enough to presume your arms are pretty much even! ps- your co-model is too cute for words:)
ReplyDeleteGood to hear you're as puritanical in Ireland as we are here. If I said "Pussy bow blouse" out loud to my husband, I'm pretty sure he would blush.
Delete*snicker* fanny pack *snicker* That never gets old.
ReplyDeleteThis is going to be fabbo with your bird silk- I can't wait to see it! And top points for photobombing. That is RAD!
I know, I know. My mom wears a fanny pack and refers to it as such. Sigh.
Deletei love this pattern and have been wanting to try it for quite awhile now. can't wait to see how yours turns out. your silk fabric sounds amazing.
ReplyDeleteYou were totally being shown up. Sorry, but you were. Should be a pretty blouse!
ReplyDeleteThis is going to be fab! Lucy is seriously killing me-- her little belly pose is too funny.
ReplyDeletehahaha! love the photo bombing. i've been thinking of making this blouse also (although i have a similar NL pattern). can't wait to see your finished top!
ReplyDeleteYour daughter is the cutest, sassiest little thing I have ever seen. I think they're called pussy bows because they're like the giant floppy bows girls used to put on their pussycats? Like you see on victorian style cards: http://missmary.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/card-catpudding300.jpg
ReplyDeleteThank you for some other informative blog. Where else could I get that type of information written in such an ideal means? I have a mission that I’m just now working on, and I have been at the look out for such information.
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Very interesting blog. Alot of blogs I see these days don't really provide anything that I'm interested in, but I'm most definately interested in this one. Just thought that I would post and let you know. blouse back neck designs
ReplyDeleteI don't see blazer dresses quite often, but this looks really awesome on you. You rock that! It's a nice mix of a formal and fun vibe. Great post! blouse designs
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