Saturday, December 8, 2012

Sewcial Butterfly

 Last weekend I attended a meet up of local (VA, MD) bloggers and sewists.   You have probably already read about it on the blogs of other attendees.   It was organized by Lisa, another  Richmond, VA blogger.  I have read her blog for several years, but never met her in person.  We drove up to MD together and the two hour drive gave us time to get acquainted. She gave me new sources for patterns and the scarf  she was wearing ( her own design) was a wonderful holiday gift idea.   Robin hosted the get together in her home.  We had a fantastic time talking about all things sewing and  blogging.   Robin told us more about her New York Vogue magazine editor experience and we had a good laugh about the props and poses Vogue magazine has used recently in their photo shoots.  You know the ones I mean,  the giant leaves and odd poses in front of a big picture windows. I had hoped Trena would share her organizational  secrets. The ones  that enable  her to sew so many great garments, write in depth blog posts and reviews, and work a full time job.  And then I find out from cidell ( who was rockin a purple shift dress)  that Trena  also finds time to read and review books too. I am in awe. Just about everyone wore something they had sewn and we got to see and touch garments  that we had seen on blog posts.  Robin couldn’t wear her wonderful Style Arc coat indoors, but we convinced her to leave her coat closet door open so everyone could see it as they came in the door.  We all brought patterns and fabrics for a swap.  Though the piles of fabric and patterns were impressively large,  I was very good and only walked away with one length of fabric and 3 patterns.

I wore a new blouse to the meet up.   I wear a lot of blouses and decided recently to update my wardrobe with a couple of new ones. While browsing the blouses on high end Internet shops,  I was attracted to loose fitting tunics, in large scale print fabrics, with contrasting plackets and collars. 
Inspiration - Tinley blouse

Vogue pattern 1323, a Rachel Comey design,  had similar style details.

Vogue 1323
 Last year, Vogue magazine featured garments made from silk butterfly prints. I loved them.  G Street Fabrics has  several of them,  but with prices way too high for my budget.


  The butterfly prints remind me of an amazing incident that happened 20 years ago. DH and I were staying at a Bed and Breakfast in Berlin, MD. There were fig trees, the 4 ft tall variety,  growing along the side of the B&B.  As we came back from our afternoon walk, we saw the trees were covered  with hundreds of dark blue iridescent butterflies feasting on the overripe fruit, their wings slowly moving in the sunlight. It was a magical sight. I wish I had had a camera.When I saw a 1.8 yard length of silk butterfly print for sale at a very reasonable price on Etsy.com, I hit the "buy now" button.

Construction  details - I lengthened the shirt by three inches. The original length was a bit short for me.  I narrowed the shoulders about half an inch and took the side seams in about an  inch. Normal changes for me with unfitted garment styles. While I like tunic styles, they can easily overwhelm my body shape if they have too much ease. The placket collar and cuff in black fabric give the eye somewhere to focus/rest on when looking at the very busy print.

Vogue 1323 in butterfly print silk




  It is a fun top to wear and I  get  lots of comments and smiles on the butterflies.

32 comments:

  1. This top is lovely. I have this pattern but could not decide on a fabric for it. You have given me some wonderful ideas.

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  2. What a pretty top! Looks great with your black skinny pants and those heels!

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  3. I had my eye on the same silk fabric and like you it was more than I wanted to spend. I am envious of your fabric purchase from Etsy! Your top looks great on you and love the pants/shoes as well.

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  4. It is a great top but the shoes! OMG! They are gorgeous!

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  5. That is really lovely. Good purpose for that fabric.
    Terry

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  6. This is a pattern I've been eyeing and I *love* your version!!! Really cute.

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  7. So pretty! I really love the lines, and the butterflies!

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  8. Oh, wow, this is pretty. What a perfect outfit. The print is so lovely and your shoes are wonderful!

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  9. Lovely. Looks like it would feel great to wear. Love the butterflies.

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  10. Wow love that top and the fabric is to die for.

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  11. Oh, Audrey, this tunic is to die for. Love the fabric (and what a beautiful butterfly image in the tree) and great pattern for it. You've made me look again at that one in Vogue.

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  12. It was great to actually meet you last weekend - it really was a fun time. I loved your blouse - I never would have thought butterfly print could look so adult and sophisicated.

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  13. This is really beautiful and looks nothing less than sensational on. No wonder you get comments on it!

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  14. That's a very pretty top, and stylish. Looks ice with your slim pants.

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  15. Beautiful! And it looks fantastic with those shoes. I love the butterflies.

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  16. Love the tunic. Your print is beautiful. I am now going through my stash looking for a suitable print. :)

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  17. That is such a pretty top! I love the contrast bands which make the fabric (gorgeous, btw!) so much more wearable. A great interpretation of a fashionable look!

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  18. Very pretty blouse and you have it wonderfully styled.

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  19. Gorgeous! I am buying this pattern and copying your contrasting details. SO CUTE!!!

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  20. Very pretty and the blog meet up sounded fun!

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  21. The blouse looks pretty and comfortable! Always a winning combination. And those shoes!
    The sewist meet up looks like it was great fun.

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  22. It was great to see you again and have time to chat!
    I loved your tunic and you looked fantastic in it!

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  23. You know how much I love this blouse--so chic and the butterflies! There are never enough butterflies.

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  24. I envy you your great trip to the meetup. I would love to plan ahead for another one in the future. Your top is great, and I loved your story of the blue butterflies. Even though you didn't have a camera with you, the memory lingers on and you painted a picture of it for the rest of us.

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  25. That is lovely . Those butterfly prints are available at This Silks for 1/2 the price .

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  26. yes, your top is very inspiring & I love that you shared your secret fabric source- Etsy. Don't forget the shoes - killer shoes!!
    Thanks so much for coming Audrey, I truly enjoyed that chance to chat and laugh.

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  27. Love how you take fashion inspirations and turn them into great self-made garments.

    I thought more people should get to enjoy your blog as I do. So I've nominated you for an One Lovely Blog Award a couple of days ago. Sorry I forgot to inform you then! Oops.

    I realize it’s a bit of a chain letter thing that not everyone want to participate in. But should you wish to participate, you can find the One Lovely Blog Award rules and the award badge at my blog: http://overflowingstash.wordpress.com/2012/12/10/and-the-award-goes-to/

    Looking forward to more creative interpretations from you in the coming year! :-)

    Pia

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  28. Gorgeous shirt. Love the print and the way it fits you!

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  29. Sensational outfit. I have this pattern tucked away for the Australian Autumn.

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  30. Love!!!! The idea of a silky popover just makes me want to put this one on my to-do list!

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