The Great Vintage Shirt Project - Vogue 7198

Sleeve Cuffs, Hem and Zipper

The blouse only needs a few things to finish it:  sleeve cuffs, hem and zipper.  Both weren't too hard, they just needed to be done!

I decided to finish the sleeve cuffs first.  There is a separate piece for the sleeve cuffs for this pattern, rather than having the cuff included in the sleeve draft.  I attached it by folding it in half wrong sides together, then stitching the cuff to the sleeve rights sides together.

After trimming and pressing the seam toward the sleeve, I turned up the cuff.  To help it stay turned up properly, I did some stitch in the ditch at the underarm seam.  This is not noticeable at all, and will certainly help me when I press the blouse after washing it. 

The pattern indicated that the hem should be done before putting in the zipper.  I think this is a good choice.  Hemming it after zipper application could be a problem trying to get the hem done nicely around the zipper teeth.  The hem isn't anything exciting, just a plain, double-turned 1/4" topstitched hem. 

For the zipper, I decided to use a regular zipper rather than an invisible zipper.  Invisible zippers are my zipper of choice, but once in a while it is good to do other sorts of zipper applications just to keep in practice.  The pattern actually gave instructions for a lapped application zipper.  I found this interesting because when it comes to the zipper, many vintage patterns tell you to use the instructions that came with the zipper.  So that's actually what I did, I just followed the instructions in the zipper package and everything turned out nicely. 

The blouse is now done - I might wear it tomorrow to church, not sure yet!

I'm not exactly sure what I think of this one - I really like the style, but maybe not the fabric so  much now that it is done?  I'll have to wear it once and see what I think.  I might make another one, but I think it needs a little fit tweaking before it would be perfect.  It still is a bit wide through the rib cage right under the bust, but before you get to the waist.  The hips could be just a tiny bit wider, too.  I am considering making this one again - maybe in December in red for the holidays.  We'll see!

Parting Shot:  Ride.  As part of her birthday present, my daughter and I went on a trail ride today.  She had never ridden a horse and it has been years since I've been on one.  She really enjoyed it!  Sorry for the blurry photo - I took the photo with my cell phone and was riding the horse behind her.