Wardrobe Wednesday

The Easter Suit That Wasn't - Blouse

Now that SWAP is all over except for the voting, I sort of miss working on a garment each week. I've decided to start a new feature on Wednesday, Wardrobe Wednesday to share some of the things I'm working on for my own wardrobe. I will be adding pieces that coordinate with the SWAP wardrobe and rebuilding my church wardrobe over the summer, plus making things for the children, so there will be plenty to share.

Today, we'll start out with the blouse that was supposed to be part of my Easter suit. Because of all the details to the suit and the my lack of time, I postponed the suit and made a dress instead. I've finished the blouse and here it is:

The blouse is from Advance 8920, c. 1960 made in crepe back satin, satin side in, bound and trimmed with silk dupionni. The jacket and skirt will be from Patrones, I'll show you those another week.

This is a really neat blouse with interesting details and construction. First, the side details, there is a zipper, of course I used an invisible zipper, a covered snap (instead of the hook and eye called for), and a tie:


As far as the construction, I thought the way the neck was constructed was interesting. First, you attach a facing to the back neck only which is clipped, pressed to the inside and the raw edge bound. Next, you stitch the shoulder seam in a 1/4" seam, which you can see below. The shiny side is the facing on the back, and the straight piece of crepe is the right side of the front. Another shoulder seam is stitched further down the shoulder from the first seam. The narrow seam is then bound.

Now the front is turned to the inside along the second shoulder seam, making a self facing for the front neck edge:

Here's the entire neckline from the inside, with the front neck in the top portion of the picture, and the back neck in the bottom portion:

Parting Shot: "New" Pattern. I love the simple style of this Vogue; there are released pleats from the neck and waist on the bodice, and front buttons only - no zipper. The green version with green shoes, white buttons, belt and earrings appeals to me. I find it interesting that it was also styled with a pink printed handbag.

PS - Remember that vintage Simplicity 6672 gown that everyone had such fond memories of? There's one on eBay for auction!