Knits and Wovens

I've been working on a woven top for a while and today (well, yesterday now) completely changed the plan.  I decided I don't like the lace trim for it.  I think I'll use bias strips for the neckline, from the same muslin.  This top has been a lot of work to fit since it's my first raglan project.  The lace will be used for a sleeveless top, or as a waistband, something.

I realized that I rarely wear woven tops lately because most of my trips out are to PT.  And for PT I now need a top that can be pulled over my biceps.  None of my woven tops do this.  It's strange to realize how much this one thing impacts how I dress.  I also have a long torso and RTW wovens rarely fit well, whereas knits aren't a problem.

Blouse Fitting Take 2

I did some work on the blouse and it's not bad after all.  The tucks and darts are sewn, inches scooped out of the low back, and sleeves sewn in.  Now to add the neckline trim, sew the side seams and hem the sleeves and body.  My mom gave it a thumbs up :)

I'm hoping to have enough trim to cover the entire top of the raglan sleeves--with the mitred corners this shouldn't be difficult.  I can always cannibalize the second pillowcase if needed.

Initially I was disappointed in the thickness of the bleached muslin, but it works very well with the trim.  I also don't mind this top being sturdier.  I bought a skirt on Saturday that should look very nice with it.

I have a mending project going as well, a 30s blouse with drawn thread work.  It's in pretty good shape, just needs a few seams resewn and some cosmetic mends.  As well as a good soak in Biz!  It's quite short so I'm planning to hand stitch a strip of light cotton to the hem, to help it stayed tucked in.  It's nice to have some handwork, when my arms cooperate.

Blouse Fitting

Well, I got the blouse basted together, the dart tucks sewn, and the fit was bad.  Not irredeemable, but not fitting a normal human being.  The raglan sleeves need darts at the neckline, are too wide in general, the back seam needs contoured and I may nip in the waist.  That would take it into the realm of wearable.  I'm very disappointed.

I pinned the trim to it and it looks ok, but nothing special.  I may just sew it as a plain white blouse.

My arm and shoulder pain have been much worse, I'm less able to use my right arm, so the project is on hold.  My life is on hold, really, due to the pain.  I'm afraid, for my present and my future.

Blouse w/ Recycled Trim

S2936

As I posted earlier, I'm reusing embroidered pillowcase trim for a blouse.  I chose a pattern, Simplicity 2936, and cut it last night.  I'm using bleached muslin which matches the poly/cotton trim pretty well.

I made a couple changes to the pattern: ditched the facings, altered view C sleeves to one piece, cut the front on the fold, and cut the back with a seam.  This made best use of my fabric and will allow for swayback adjustments if necessary.  I forgot to add a seam allowance when cutting the first back piece so left a generous 1.5" on the second piece.  I'll sew the back seam 1/4" off center, with a 1/4" seam allowance, and no one will notice.  If the neckline is narrow I'll be able to stick in a button and loop closure, too.

The trim was draped on my dressform to create a square neckline.  The mitered corners should echo nicely the raglan sleeves of my pattern :)  I'd like to cover the entire sleeve top with the trim, leaving the back neckline plain.  I'm waiting to cut the trim until the blouse is assembled.

I've just started construction of the blouse and it's very simple.  I have the tucks pinned--on grain no less--and ready to sew.  Then I'll baste everything, check fit, and figure out how to insert the trim.

This is a fun project and I hope I don't run into too many problems.  So far it looks like it may be done by the weekend

Pretty Trim Take 2

I've been inspired to make a top reusing embroidered pillowcase trim.  Last spring I'd planned to use the whole pillowcase for a nightie.  Then I realized the white pillowcase was yellowed and, worse, it didn't fit around my ass hips :(

I was reinspired this week by vintage chemises.  There's enough trim to make a square yoke for the blouse front.  A blouse will be sewn under and around the trim from bleached muslin.  I'll take photos tomorrow, when the sun's out.

My other project is tweaking a purchased blouse.  It's made from cotton voile with pintucking and lace insertion.  I love the Edwardian lingerie dresses and this is as close as I'll get in daily life.  The blouse has no waist shaping so I'm going to sew on a back tie.  The short sleeves are a little too puffy for my taste.  Luckily a pleat will solve that and look well with the gathers.

I hope this post whets your appetite for photos and progress rather than causing frustration.  I promise more soon!