Sunday, June 24, 2012

Lazy, No! Hazy, Yes!, Crazy, Yes!

Where are those  lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer?  Lazy is not the kind of summer I am having. The end of school  tests, concerts  and picnics seemed to go on forever. School finally  ended  a week ago.  Then I found out I was going to be a

Eldest son was accepted to James Madison University after spending a year at a local community college.  So we are trying to line up an apartment and get him signed up for classes several months behind the regular schedule for everybody else.   We did find  a sublet and he had a meeting with his advisor last week. 

Hubby has vowed to have, fresh from the vine, tomatoes and peppers  this summer. No matter what it takes.  So he has built the ultimate tomato cage.  So they won’t escape.
Ultimate Tomato Cage

  Just kidding. It is to protect the vegetables from the squirrels and deer.  The neighbor leaned on the fence and watched him build it. And suggested if it did not work for its intended purpose, it could be used to raise chickens.  I implemented a backup plan and signed up with The Farm Table. A program that delivers boxes of fresh vegetables and fruit, from local farms, to my home every week.

As to sewing , I was looking for summer styling ideas for red pants and I saw this picture of a sheer black with white polka dot blouse worn with a red skirt.

 Once the idea of a sheer polka dot blouse was planted in my head, I saw them everywhere on the
 on the Internet, and in recent issues of pattern magazines.  Ms. Stylebook June 1012 issue, BurdaStyle May 2012 - blouse 134,  and Patrones  Issue 315.  There were black polka dots on white backgrounds,
Black polka dots on white
and white  polka dots on black backgrounds. They were shown worn with red pants, white pants, jeans, white shorts, black pants, turquoise pants. They were worn as an over blouses, tucked in and tied at the waist. I was inspired by what I saw.


White Polka dots on Black

Though I would have preferred silk, when I spotted (pun intended) some polka dotted poly chiffon in Hancock’s for a very reasonable price, I bought it. I chose Burda 7351 blouse pattern to keep the style rather conservative with such a distinctive fabric.  The shoulder yoke and back and front bodice gathers is sort of a retro look.  The shirttail hem  of view B allows it to be tucked in, worn out or tied at the waist.
Burda 7351

The pattern instructions are okay, not wonderful. There are pictures for some steps.  I like lots of pictures. Things I did that were not in the instructions -  I used French seams to clean finish the side seams and I lined the yoke. I used black silk organza for the collar interfacing.  I did not use interfacing in the front placket as instructed.    The buttons are concealed under a turned back layer of the front placket.  Each placket is 4 layers. Not too stiff when buttoned up, in the light chiffon fabric. But if I were making this blouse of a heavier fabric I might make the under placket two layers only   I did use additional interfacing under the button holes when I made them. There are three buttons and the top one is a bit far from the top. I plan to wear a camisole under the blouse, so that did not bother me.  The sleeves are slim fitting. Not uncomfortable, but not as loose as I would have preferred. Sleeve tightness is not a problem I usually have, so I didn't check the sleeve width before cutting.
Burda 7351 front

Burda 7351 back


Burda 7351 closeup


As Over blouse
With Red Pants


Just having fun. A Chicas Pin Up, I am not!
  Quick, to get that last picture out of your mind, here is another top.

 I admired it in a catalog one morning and later that day found similar fabric at the store.  Another poly chiffon.  The inspiration top fabric was a mesh knit.  I used New Look pattern 6025.

New Look 6025

Wide necklines can be a disaster on me. With a thin neck and small shoulders, they look bad and tend to fall off my shoulders. So I always check them using my sloper and generally make them smaller and in proportion with my body. On View D, I moved the neck opening in toward the neck 1 inch on the shoulder seam, and shortened the V neckline by 1 inch too. I added a casing for elastic using vintage rayon seam binding. I have a friend that is active in a Baltimore area quilt guild. She always thinks of me when sewing notions like this show up on the give away table. Thanks Urs!

Rayon Seam Binding
Seam binding used for elastic casing
This pattern is definitely a quick and easy sew. Sorry no picture of it on me.  I have reached my limit on posing outside in the humidity and warm temps today. 

New Look 6025

29 comments:

  1. Both of the blouses are terrific-I love the polka dots with the red pants. Stylin'!

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  2. I have been going through the same thing. I saw a girl with a bow blouse in a dot and have been looking for fabric since. I have not found any but go a nice retro bird print and am making my blouse. I will keep my eye out still for the dot fabric as after seeing your I really need ne!

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  3. You are funny! And very nice tops.

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  4. Ohh now you've got me on polka dots! Need to go fabric shopping!! Hehe. I love the zig zag top too, very missoni but without the missoni price tag. I've been hunting for a similar fabric myself but the only one I found was a yuck colour so the hunt continues.

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  5. I particularly like your polka dot blouse! Cute and fun, but still classic.
    I just made myself a blouse out of swiss dot with a white ground and navy blue dots. Great minds think alike:-)

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  6. Everything you make always looks so classy and you look great.

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  7. Lovely spotted top. Looks great with Your red trousers!

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  8. I adore polka dots and I love the black and white with red. The second top is lovely too and I think you pretty good as a Chicas Pin Up!

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  9. Don't you just love it when you can see a blouse than go into the sewing room and knock it off? The blouse looks great.

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  10. That polka dot blouse looks awesome on you. Love the style. The zig-zag top is cute too. Great job!

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  11. No, I'm going to keep that last photo in my mind forever! Inspiring post. Love your blog.
    Chanel No.6

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  12. Loved both blouses! The pin up pose made me laugh =) I have the same problem as you with narrow shoulders I will have to make similar alterations to that pattern when I decide to make it (in my stash waiting).

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  13. They both look great. That is strange about the sleeve fit - I notice sometimes that happens. I love your red pants!

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  14. Those are great! I love seeing garments made up in fabric I've seen in person. Have you noticed that Hancock is getting some pretty decent-looking fabric in its bargain area? They might not last very long and are in questionable quality but still... Also, have you noticed the sweet swiss dot prints they have now? I am SO tempted!

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  15. Both beautiful tops, I LOVE the polka dots. Great inspiration pictures as well.

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  16. Love your blouses and those red pants look slightly fabulous too!

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  17. Congrats on your son getting into the college of his choice! Both blouses are fantastic (as usual) and I'm sure they will work really well in your wardrobe.

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  18. You're such a scream. Both tops are wonderful and you're definitely enjoying the result of your wonderful skills.

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  19. Both tops look terrific. The polka dot blouse is sending me to my stash - I am sure there is some polka dot fabric in there somewhere;)

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  20. Oh I too have heard the "must sew a polka dot shirt" call - I've seen many inspiration pictures too and when I saw some fabric here - a pretty pale blue silk/cotton voile I snapped it up. And it has still waiting for me patiently until my mojo returns - several years after original puchase!

    I am inspired by the way you find inspiration, do your research, identilfy the success elements and replicate to your own needs. It's obviously a winning formula.

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  21. Hee, I love your whimsical photos. The polka dot top is so cute! I like that little gather at the back neck. The zigzag is very on trend.

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  22. Love the polka dot blouse and I think your husband is genius with his tomato cage!

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  23. I love both your tops, Audrey! Had to laugh about keeping the veggies captive - we have the same problem! I'm liking your polka dot blouse - that shape and the versatility of it has caught my eye in a lot of sewing & fashion magazines, too, but so far I've only made one up for DD1!

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  24. Super cute tops, Audrey! So enjoyed your inspiration boards, too. And girl, you can totally do this season's bare midriff trend!

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  25. Terrific blouse you have madein the black and white polka dots.

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  26. That polka dot blouse is a real winner. Love it in particular with the red trousers. Plus, you've just proved you clearly ARE a pin-up, you looked fabulous in the waist knot/black trousers shot! xxx

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  27. A late comment on an older post, but I just found and started reading your blog (backwards)... I'm enjoying it very much. I love your choice in fabric and patterns (you've done several Issey Miyakes, I'm a fan too).
    I work at JMU... hope your son is doing well here still? If you come by to visit him sometime and want a tour of the costume shop for the School of Theatre and Dance, let me know!

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