Friday, September 18, 2009

Butterick 5284 - White blouse w/ front tucks - Wardrobe contest garment #3

Gosh, it's been 10 days since my last post. My fall schedule is really kicking my behind. And this was actually completed early Wednesday but we were too busy to take pictures. At any rate, here is my latest creation. It is being worn with this skirt.

This is view C with the darts of B/D and the sleeves of A. Let me just say, the sizing on this was ridiculously huge. (I am not one to complain about sizing on big 4 patterns. They are what they are. Know your measurements and how much ease you prefer in a garment, then cut according to the measurements on the pattern pieces. If the pattern doesn't have measurements printed on the pieces, get out your measuring tape and a calculator that adds inches, and measure it for yourself.) I am usually a 12 in the big 4, but I cut this out in an 8!!! Even the sleeves were super big around. And making it without darts like the pattern picture? Heaven forbid!

I loved the curved tucked panel of this top and the cute cuffed sleeves. Otherwise, it's a simple collared shirt. With a collar stand. I do not make collared shirts without collar stands. The collars never look right IMO. The fabric is a crisp white cotton poplin picked up at Hancock earlier this spring. I needed something a bit neutral for the wardrobe, and this fit the bill.

When I first attached the sleeve cuffs, the cuffs were too tall. I measured the similar sleeves of this dress and found the white ones were 5/8" bigger. No problem. I trimmed them down and like these much better.

Here's the collar and button band close up. Who knew white was almost as hard to photograph as black? If you use the flash it gets completely washed out. If you take your photos at night with no flash the fabric looks very yellowed. The next 4 were taken near a window in the afternoon and the fabric looks super wrinkly. So... there you go.

This had some fun needle work to do. I actually enjoy putting in collars and collar bands if the fabric has some give to it. This cotton was a breeze. I have learned my lesson with polyesters and collar stands and won't be doing that again.

Just a few modifications to the inside construction were made. I used my typical french seams for all vertical seams. Not only are they neat on the inside, but crisp and tidy looking on the outside where the seams are slightly visible. Here at the shoulder you can also view the bias tape used to cover the sleeve/armhole seam.

Here's the armhole and side french seam:

Three down, 7 to go. The Vogue 1051 pants in a brown pinstripe have already been cut out and I started construction on them yesterday. During the commercials of Project Runway, of course. After that I'm hoping to take a little break from the wardrobe and make myself a dress for my birthday in early October. If I get 4 garments done each month for the wardrobe contest I think I'll be sitting pretty. Y'all have a great weekend!

29 comments:

  1. Hi Amanda,
    Very nice shirt! I really like the tucked front panel...very fresh and crisp looking. You've got a great start on your Fall wardrobe!

    ReplyDelete
  2. The wardrobe is coming along nicely. Neat finishing as always.

    ReplyDelete
  3. So cute blouse!I admire your neatness and attention to every detail.:)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love this. It's a beautiful classic shirt but with some really nice details - the front panel and sleeves are lovely and, of course, it's been perfectly constructed!

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is a great blouse on you. You'll get loads of wear from it I'm sure. Your french seams are so neat.

    ReplyDelete
  6. A beautiful blouse and a "must have-part" for every wardrobe!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Very nice and quite the fashion rage right now! I have good luck using my flash if I step away from the object and use my zoom - you need that distance so the flash doesn't wash out what you are taking photos of. Cheers! Evelyn

    ReplyDelete
  8. Excellent job on this blouse. I admire your work.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great shirt. I really like that front panel and sleeve style - classic, but not boring.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Nice blouse. I have that pattern and appreciate your point of view.

    ReplyDelete
  11. You did an excellent job. I love the front panel with the tucks, and I love how neat everything is on the inside with the french seams and the bias tape around the arm holes.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Ohhh! the details looks so good... and the finishments are great! I love your work and the love you took in this all!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Very nice blouse. Your work is impeccable :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. I have this pattern and after seeing your finished garment I have to have one of my own.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Beautiful work! It looks fantastic on you too :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. It looks great! I have a similar top in my wardrobe plan (the bib part anyway). I hope mine turns out as neat as yours! I love how you take every step to make the inside of your garments look just as pretty as the outside.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'm enjoying your meticulous attention to detail and finishing. I sometimes rush a project in it's last stages and regret it later. You have inspired me to take my time.

    ReplyDelete
  18. It's gorgeous. I'd be interested in knowing more about the bias tape on the armhole. What a lovely finish. Can you explain how you do that so neatly or do you have an earlier posting to refer me to? Thanks.

    - Myrna

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Myrna,
    Thanks for your sweet compliment! Yes, I did do a tutorial on this technique. If you click on tutorials under the Labels section on the right, you should be able to find it.
    Amanda

    ReplyDelete
  20. Very nice~! I love the nice perfect inside finish! Can't wait to see the pants!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I've been following your blog for sometime and I had to finally make a comment. Your garments are always so well made and the finishing is phenomenal. You inspire me to start being as detail oriented.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Great blouse and the tucked front panel is an awesome detail.

    Thanks for the lovely compliment on my cardigan.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Beautiful blouse. I especially like the sleeves.

    ReplyDelete
  24. GREAT shirt! Did you ever get a storyboard made?

    haha, my word verification is "ducheash". Like 'duchesse'??

    ReplyDelete
  25. Lovely. You can never have too many white shirts in my book. :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi Amanda!
    I was just checking the reviews of this pattern and when I saw your post I wanted to come in and say Hi! I've been reading your blog and admiring your meticulous sewing skills for so long! :)

    I have a question for you. I just bought a lovely chiffon fabric that I intend to make a semi-fitted blouse and I had this pattern at hand which I haven't tried before. do you think this would be a suitable pattern for a chiffon fabric? I couldn't make up my mind yet.
    Thanks in advance!
    warmest regards from Turkey! :)
    irem

    http://sewingyourstyle.tumblr.com

    ReplyDelete