Saturday, January 31, 2009

McCalls 5471 - White blouse w/ ruffle cuffs

You never can have too many white blouses in your closet, right? I was missing one with long sleeves, and this design fit the bill.

This fabric is a stretch poplin, but I think it might have been a little too thick for this blouse. It tends to wrinkle easily and not stay ironed and crisp. However, I do love it and will get a lot of use out of it. Maybe no one else will notice my wrinkles...

This is a simple fitted blouse with 5 sleeve variations. Most people who've made this have used the shorter ruffle (view A), but I really loved the ruffles around the cuffs and two button loop closure.

My stars, these cuffs were difficult to make. I had a hard time getting to the small openings with my machine, and with the long cuff and ruffles and stiffer fabric, it was a challenge. I had to sew the opening by hand with really tiny stitches and forget about top-stitching. That's my only beef so far with my new machine - that it is very wide even with the tool tray removed, and I have a hard time hemming or doing detail work on long sleeves.

So on to the insides. I used a lot of bias tape for this blouse. Here you can see it around the sleeve facings:

Here's more around the armhole seam. I also used french seams for the shoulders and sides.

Bias tape along the princess seams and french seams down the sides:

You can see all 5 sleeve variations on the pattern envelope. This pattern also features custom cup sizes, which I love. I did get some cave in right under the bust, so took that in about 3/4". That made the fit better in the torso as well.

I'm not sure what's up next. I went through my winter projects and picked out the ones I really want to finish before I start spring sewing in March. I have an ambitious pile of 6 garments. Some are easy so shouldn't take as much time as the others, but then again I always seem to have issues with things I think will be easy.

26 comments:

  1. What a lovely blouse! I admire the exquisite details, french seams, and just the right touch of feminine ruffles.

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  2. That is so pretty and the ruffled sleeves look so good.

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  3. The blouse is great, I admire your skill at binding all those seams. what a great job.

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  4. That shirt fits so well. And the ruffles are really cute. Great job!

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  5. Pretty blouse! Thanks for showing all the inside shots.

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  6. Very pretty blouse, I am wearing my blouse right now. Isn't it a great pattern. Your details are wonderful.

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  7. Gorgeous blouse with fantastic details! I love the cuffs. They were worth the effort. I recently found your blog and love your work.

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  8. Fabulous blouse - the construction is great and it looks superb!

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  9. What a stunning blouse. I really appreciate the pics of how you did your seams. Great job!

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  10. Beautiful shirt and I agree you can never have too many white shirts. I love the detail construction on the sleeves....

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  11. Beautiful shirt - your details are amazing!

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  12. Truly beautiful! The cuff detail really m,akes this blouse special!

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  13. How lovely is that? Gorgeous work and really interesting sleeves.

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  14. So pretty and fresh. You do such lovely work.

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  15. Classic and elegant with a whimsical sleeve. Great job!

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  16. Perfect! This is so elegant and your finishing touches are fabulous.
    I have this one on my to-sew list... just don't have the right fabric - yet!

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  17. Beautiful blouse - very classy and elegant!

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  18. This is beyond beautiful!! I am attempting this pattern within the week and I am petrified. I hope it comes out half as good as yours

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  19. Wow, that looks so professional! Amazing work!

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  20. Wowwwwwwww!!!
    The blouse is perfect and I love the sleeves!!!

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  21. Hi,
    is a very nice blouse!
    I like it! Is perfect ;)

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  22. Awesome details.

    Excellent sewing.

    Love your work.

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