Simplicity 1106- A fun, flowery blouse

I’ve worn this blouse a few times already so I think it’s about time that I write a post about it. I actually made this blouse back in 2017. It took me awhile to wear it because it was one of those pieces that really frustrated me. Not because of the pattern but because of the fabric. The fabric I chose was a crepe de chine. I purchased it from Fabric.com.

Although I typically don’t have too much of a hard time sewing with this type of fabric, I did this time and mostly with the sleeves and the hem. The fabric kept unraveling and was very difficult to work with because it called for a narrow hem for both the sleeves and the hem. It was one of those pieces that I had to put on “time out” until I was ready to finish it. I have a time out basket for all my unfinished items and that’s where it ended up for a few months. When I put it in the “time out” basket, all I had left to finish was the hem. Once I was ready, I tackled that narrow hem and I was happy with the end result.

What I like about this blouse is the style of the sleeves and the length of the blouse. I especially like the back. It adds a nice little touch.

Look at that back!

I made another blouse by hacking the pattern so it doesn’t have the peek a boo back, but that one has been in the time out basket since 2017. I think it’s time to take it out of time out and tackle that narrow hem at the bottom.

Otherwise, the pattern is easy to follow. For this blouse, I chose view D. I didn’t make a contrasting yoke back and sleeve and instead used the same fabric for the whole blouse. I chose crepe de chine for my fabric but other suggestions include challis, lightweight linen types, silky types, jersey and crepe back satin (for the contrasting pieces).

I also made view B. It didn’t turn out too well and I think this is mostly because of the fabric I chose for the contrasting piece. For the main piece, I used a light brown challis and for the contrasting piece, I used a crepe de chine. The two together did not flow well. I ended up removing the contrasting piece. So now it is in the time out basket. I’ll tackle that blouse again once I find a good matching contrasting piece to go with the light brown challis. Perhaps another lightweight challis fabric.

So all in all, I have made 3 items using this pattern, but only one that I actually wear. I would definitely recommend this pattern especially since there are 4 styles that you can make with one pattern.

Happy Sewing!!!

Another McCalls 7405

I made another McCalls 7405! This one was for my aunt. She saw the dress that I made and requested that I make one for her. McCall’s M7405 Pattern Review

Here is how her dress turned out:

• 

• 

I must admit that it took me a couple years to make it. She picked out the fabric and I held onto it for the longest time because I took a break from sewing. This summer, I decided to get back into sewing again. I dusted off my sewing machine and this was my first project this year.

My aunt has worn her dress a few times already. We work in the same office so I got to see her in it. She looked great! She told me that she gets compliments every time she wears it. I am happy to hear that.

I am also happy that it got me back into sewing. I’ve already made a few items so far. My initial goal was to make clothes for work as well as a new outfit each time I have a new fun event coming up. I have done that but my sewing is still trial and error so that plan hasn’t really worked out. I end up not wearing the outfit. But it’s o.k. I am learning and I feel that I am getting better at my sewing skills. I take my time now and I don’t rush. I don’t cut corners and I notice it makes a difference. I’ve also purchased a serger and that makes all the difference! I love having nice, neat seams. I was actually using french seams to finish my seams. In fact, the dress that I made for my aunt has french seams. But I like the overlocked seams from the serger much more. If you don’t have a serger yet, I highly recommend getting one!

Now, back to sewing! Happy Sunday!