Thursday, November 3, 2011

Vogue 1127 - Badgley Mischka sleeveless bow blouse

Bow blouses are hot right now, and this was trend #1 on my fall/winter must sew list. To be honest with you, I never even noticed this pattern until I saw this review for it on Patternreview.com. Then I got to looking at the pattern envelope, and noticed the fabric they used for the example reminded me of this pink houndstooth charmeuse I purchased from JoAnn's around the same time. I could see it all made up in my mind's eye, easily worn with a sweater or jacket in colder months or by itself when warmer. That's pretty much all it takes to convince me to purchase a pattern!

Here's mine, being worn with a black wool skirt I made several years ago that is finally fitting again. It's amazing how many items in my closet this blouse matches - my hot pink wool skirt, my gray leopard wool skirt, my gray tweed pleated skirt, etc., not to mention various jackets and cardigans. I would have gotten some pictures of it with other things, but my photographer isn't especially keen on taking tons of pictures of me in different outfits. He can be a tiny bit cranky sometimes. :)

Here at the side you can get a feel for the looseness of it through the torso. It is actually cut like a trapeze dress with no indention for the waist. Since I wanted to wear it tucked in, I decided to cut the sides smaller and used Simplicity 2554 as my guide. Without having much shaping, the horizontal lines of the fabric needed only to be matched at the side seams.

My hair should probably be worn in a bun with this top as I think the back of the neck a really fun design feature. Incidentally, getting this over my head is a bit of a squeeze. I do have a larger then normal sized head, though, but wish I had made the opening an inch or so bigger.

Because of fabric limitations, I had to cut the bow a lot smaller then the pattern piece provided. Can you believe I cut off 8 inches from the center back ends of both sides of the tie?! I also cut the width down by 1 inch! That was one ginormous bow!!! Closer inspection of the pattern envelope leads me to believe it must also have been reduced in size.

I usually do not go for these sorts of loose and flowy designs, and I especially don't like my neck being constricted with too much fabric. That fear of feeling choked, coupled with my fabric shortage, caused the need for some modifications to the collar. Here it is without the ties around it. This front part I cut on the bias as instructed, but cut the height down by the same inch as the ties.

For the inside of the collar, I cut a much narrower height - 3.5" including seam allowances - the same height you are instructed to gather your back collar to, and also cut it on the bias. Then I fused knit interfacing to the back to give it some stability but still enable it to stretch a bit. The outer collar was attached to the inner collar, and rows of gathering stitch were put in at the side seams. Then I sewed the outer collar to the gathered neckline of the blouse, stitched the backs of the collars together, and slip-stitched the inner collar to the inside of the blouse. Make sense?


After the collar was attached and finished on the inside, I gathered up my side gathering stitches and topstitched the outer collar to the inner collar at the sides. This was done to further restrict the fabric from bunching up under my neck. It turned out to be a very neat finish, and is completely hidden under the ties when being worn.

 This pattern provided for some nice finishing inside touches, including directions for french seams and a piece for bias bound armholes. Oh, I forgot to mention that I made the size 8 and I'm normally a 10-12 for tops. The underarms were a pretty tight fit, so I cut them down by 1 inch. The bias binding still worked, though, so I didn't have to recut larger pieces.

It's a fun little top with lots of outfit variations. And incidentally, I had a question from Veronica when I posted that Cynthia Rowley plaid skirt. Here is what she asked:

Cute skirt! So, I've been a lurker for sometime. I love your blog. Question...I see that you're a SAHM. Where do you wear most of these items? I ask because I want to sew more for myself but I work from home so I'm torn with wanting to make more clothes like what you make and just making lounge stuff over and over...know what I mean? I'm trying to "justify" making nicer clothes, I guess...if that makes any sense! :)

I find myself being asked ALOT why I am so dressed up on what appears to be an average day. I am a stay-at-home-mom after all, I should adhere to the jeans and a t-shirt dress code for my job, right? The problem is I like pretty clothes. I like to feel put together and that I look nice. What is the point of having a closet full of nice garments if you never plan to wear them? I recommend all of you stay-at-home types try it for at least a week. You'll feel better about yourself; find yourself eating better and taking care of your body. You'll get better service from salespeople at stores and more smiles from complete strangers.

48 comments:

  1. I love your new top. The fabric is perfect for it. I'm chuckling to myself as I see we have just made the same 3 button back neck closure, though I am working on a different pattern. Enjoy wearing this. You look fabulous in it.

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  2. Very nice neck detail!!! I need stylish blouse with sleeves I speccially recommend somewhere? attentive to your answer..... greeting

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  3. Very pretty! I also second your statement regarding dressing up even as a stay-at-home type. I'm a housewife but I'd much rather make dresses and skirts than lounge clothes so that's often what I wear. It really does make a difference out shopping too!

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  4. I love your blouse - impeccable sewing as always, but I am de-lurking to say AMEN to your reply to Veronica. I "retired" from my job when my first was born, but never stopped dressing up for it. I always feel better when I am nicely dressed, and I think the tiny extra effort is completely worth it.

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  5. Lovely blouse. It looks great on you. I have a serious case of turtleneckophobia myself, so the thought of anything around my neck like that makes my want to hyperventilate, too!

    Also, a a thanks to Veronica for asking something I didn't have to guts to ask & to you for your gracious response. You look far nicer & better put together than I do & I do work outside the house!

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  6. What a beautiful blouse , this is going on my to do list. I see no reason why a mom should dress down at all . I agree with you in that if you dress nice you feel nice.

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  7. Pretty! I didn't really think I liked that pattern but now I want it. :-) That happens a lot to me with your creations.

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  8. I love your top. Very pretty indeed. While I do have to go to work, I think it makes sense to desire to look pretty. It should be about making ourselves feel good, not just for others anyway.

    Pretty clothes can be just as comfy as jeans and a tee IMO, also.

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  9. This blouse is so pretty! I love the fabric choice, and though I loosely follow trends, I will definitely be following this one!

    Also, I too am a SAHM. I think it is the norm to see SAHM's dressed down, and it is rather nice to see moms that are dressed up. However, can't there be some middle ground here? I struggle with feeling like I have to either dress up or down. Any tips for achieving a dressy casual look?

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  10. Hey, I'm a sahm too and I prefer to wear nicer things most of the time.

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  11. Love it! Love it! Love it! I'm contemplated this top for too long. It's going on the list. Your fabric selection is beautiful.

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  12. It's a lovely top and it looks great with that pretty skirt! (PS your head really doesn't look that big ;-))

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  13. Gorgeous top! As a stay-at-home/homeschooling mom, I totally agree about dressing up. There is no reason for lounging clothes if your at home all day. I will opening admit that I'm more a jeans and top girl in the fall/winter tho because it's sooo damp and cold where I live.

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  14. I have been looking at this pattern for a minute. But..... Now I am convinced that this pattern needs to be in my stash. Thank you. Now I'm just waiting on the next sale....

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  15. Love the top - gorgeous as usual.

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  16. You look so darling in this top! I love those shoes as well!

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  17. Stunning top Lady! You look spectacular. I didn't notice top so thanks for bring it to my attention. I love your SAHM dressing advice. I agree wholeheartedly!!!

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  18. Love the top! Pussy bow blouses are the IT thing this season, that's for sure.

    I think it's great that you don't wear the Mom Uniform (t+jeans). I admit to defaulting to it, however, because it's so wash-n-wear, kid friendly, etc. If it needs handwashing or ironing, forget it. (I'm not a SAHM, though, so I'm still wearing dressy business clothes for work.)

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  19. Beaytiful top. The fabric is juat right for it.

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  20. Gorgeous blouse! Perfect marriage of fabric and pattern.

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  21. Absolutely stunning and very on-trend. I plan to make a Burda one, hopefully before they go out of fashion!

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  22. Those shoes are perfect with your outfit.

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  23. I love love love this...I want one in red for the holidays. I was just thinking this morning. I need to make me something for the holidays and thinking of a red shirt with same type of collar. Im going for it. Thanks for sharing

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  24. gorgeous! i love this fabric with this :)

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  25. Your version is so lovely! I have this one as a UFO in my sewing bin because of the collar overwhelming my neck and the resulting binding feeling. I will have to revisit it and refer to your post to modify the collar! Thanks for your version!!

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  26. Your fabric choice was great, beautiful top. As far as being a SHAM, I agree with you, why not look pretty especially when you sew your own clothes.

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  27. "I find myself being asked ALOT why I am so dressed up on what appears to be an average day" That's interesting especially because it happens to me too. I'm never sure how to respond as I don't wish to be rude, but I too like pretty clothes and unless I'm doing grungy work see no reason why I can't wear them.

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  28. I bet you look better than most working moms! very stylish blouse! As everything that you sew! i agree that nice clothes lift your mood! I'm sahm too, but I'm not wearing skirts at all - not comfortable for me. Do you wear skirts and heels at home every time? Or only when you're going outside?

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  29. Well done all around. Bow tops like this were big when I was beginning my career; I still like them a lot.

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  30. Great top, Amanda. I used to wear tops like this when I was a young career woman.

    I applaud your response to "Where do you wear all those nice clothes?" I am a stay-at-home-wife (children are adults and living on their own). I get up every day and dress in nice clothes because it makes me feel better about myself, store clerks do treat me with more respect, and nice clothing gives a more professional credential to my volunteer life at church or local organizations. We must keep sewing our image! :)

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  31. Great blouse, I am a fan of bows. Also like the fabric, I will have to take a second look at the fabrics at Joanns, you have found some nice stuff there. As for dressing up at home, I did the corporate dress up thing, suits, high heels, business travel and all that for a while, so I now am very happy to wake up and dress in jeans and T-shirts. Although in summer I do wear cotton dresses most days and get asked why I am dressed up. Really? simple cotton dress is dressed up? Anyway - sewers know the happiness factor of clothes so whatever you enjoy, wear it.

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  32. Super, super cute Amanda! Love the new top!

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  33. So elegant and chic! I really love this look on you and I especially love the gorgeous colours of that fabric. Also, Amanda, I think that what you say about dressing to look good every day is advice to treasure - making an effort with my appearance makes me feel so much better about myself. With all the beautiful clothes in your wardrobe I am sure that you have no trouble looking fabulous every day!

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  34. Amanda, when you have time could you send me an email? sew_forth@hotmail.com - thanks

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  35. That top is gorgeous. I love that it can be paired with a subdued skirt/pant or something bolder like in the first picture. You will get many wears out of it, that's for sure.

    I completely agree with what you said about dressing up while being a stay at home mom. I worked from home for 2 months while transitioning from VA to Boston and didn't discipline myself to get dressed before work. I had a huge project going on, too, so that's what was on my mind. In no time I found myself not showering and getting out of my pjs until noon. I've never been like this, even in my teens. It really did a number on me emotionally... it was surprising. It's great advice to encourage people to dress up a bit even if they're just running errands all day or staying at home.

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  36. This blouse is a triumph on you! It's beautiful and flattering. Good food for thought gotr SAHMs like me:-)

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  37. In addition to my previous comment , I have just ordered this pattern .

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  38. Hello Amanda. Love your blog, I've been lurking awhile. I wholeheartedly endorse your dressing comments! On Saturday we had our annual Parish Fair, it was hot (30degC in Melbourne Aust) and I thought "buggger it, I'm going to wear a frock". So I did, a sleeveless red/pink/orange floral in a linen/cotton blend. So many people wanted to know "where was I going so dressed up". To say that I was conspicuous amoung the t-shirt + three-quarter pants is an understatement.

    Take every opportunity to dress up I say!

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  39. Beautiful blouse. And as always, the finishing looks so clean and neat. Love the big bow and the fabric.

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  40. Like previous posters I applaud your belief that if you dress well, it affects how you feel about yourself. I see so many women that put very little effort in their appearance and it makes me sad. I understand comfortable dressing but not sloppy dressing - don't get me started!
    You always look fabulous in your pics and your sewing skills are excellent.

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  41. I agree 100% with you reg. dressing up - does wonders for the mood :)
    I love your top - this colour and style are perfect on you!

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  42. Lovely blouse, Amanda. Now you have me thinking about purchasing this pattern.

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  43. Finally getting a chance to go back and look at previous projects and oh, my! I love this! So classic, so chic, so gorgeous!!!! I am inspired.

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  44. Hi Amanda -

    I would like to feature this project on my blog if you don't mind. I've made a top out of this same fabric - don't you just love it? I have some left over and also have this Vogue pattern...may copy you on this one! - and would like to mention "other projects from this fabric". Please email me (either way)@...godsgirlt@att.net and let me know if that would be okay AND which picture you prefer that I use if any. Thanks!

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  45. What a beautiful top! Thanks for inspiring me to try this pattern.
    And thanks for your advice to those of us who work from home - I found myself in my pajamas again today for the 3rd day in a row.

    Time to get sewing, and get dressed!

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