Monday, July 19, 2010

Butterick 4985 - Light pink polka dot blouse w/ tie

This blouse is the first in a handful of pink & gray coordinates I have planned for fall. I originally bought the pattern for the collared view, but decided I really liked the vintage feel of the neck tie and peek-a-boo front. This fabric was found amongst the remnant fabrics at JoAnn's sometime last year. It's some kind of thin, crinkled polyester with a very tight weave that made handsewing a real chore. I loved the pink on pink polka dots and texture of it.

Being a remnant fabric, I was only able to purchase 1 1/3 yards. The pattern calls for 1 5/8, so I'm pretty proud of myself for fitting all the pattern pieces in. However, I did have to change the sleeves to NewLook 6615 (now out of print) that I have used previously for this dress and the sleeves of this dress. They are way less poofy then the Butterick and took less fabric. I also had to shorted the ties a few inches, not that you can tell a difference.

I decided to take a 5/8" rolled hem at the bottom to give it a bit more length, as it will be worn tucked in.

Instead of using four 5/8" buttons as the pattern calls for, I opted for six 7/16" covered buttons and spaced them closer together. The covered buttons blend in well with the fabric, which I feel is important when using a polka dot.

Here on the inside you can see my typical use of bias tape along the front facings, empire seam and sleeve seams. Being a crinkled fabric, the empire seam did stretch out a bit, especially along the back. So when I applied the bias tape, I stretched it a little along the back to get rid of that problem.

French seams were used for the lower princess, shoulder and sleeve seams.

Here you can see how nicely this pink pairs with gray and even prints. I used the same skirt from my last jacket post, and forgot to mention it was made by me as well, last winter.

Up next is another lined jacket. I'm off to trace it after I fold a little laundry. Have a fabulous week!

40 comments:

  1. Oooh Amanda, this is SO pretty. That lovely shade of pink is perfect for this vintage-look style. You have done an amazing job squeezing this beautiful garment out of a remnant! As always, the inside looks as perfect as the outside.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is such a pretty blouse! Love the pink and grey together. And I'm so impressed with your quality, especially the french seams!

    ReplyDelete
  3. It's so beautiful, Amanda... Your work is impeccable... I wanted to ask you - I saw you did french seams on the lower princess seams of this blouse. How do you normally clean finish princess seams? Do you always do french seams, or do you use bias binding on them? Thanks!
    ~ Marybeth

    ReplyDelete
  4. So lovely! I like that shade of pink accented with the polka dots!!! Pink and brown is a lovely color palette for fall!!! It's good you're thinking ahead!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your blouse is beautiful! Perfect choice for that fabric.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Cute shirt! I found your blog a couple days ago and love it! I love sewing and finding other people who love it and are good at it!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Marybeth,
    I do usually use french seams on princess seams, as long as they don't curve very much. If the seam curves over the bust, for example, I would apply some bias tape to finish off the exposed edges. Of course your fabric has to be thin enough to use a french seam. They don't lay very smoothly on thicker fabrics.
    Amanda

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lovely blouse. Gorgeous fabric.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Just so pretty. Love the colour, the dots and the style :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks, Amanda... I am making something w/ a princess seam that curves over the bust, and I'm debating the best way to finish it... Thanks!!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. The quality of your work staggers me and this blouse is no exception. It will work beautifully with your last tailored jacket.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Lovely blouse; you always do such a stunning sewing job!

    This reminded me that I have a half-made muslin of this pattern somewhere (set aside after a stupid sewing error) and that it is worth returning to.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Very pretty! The covered buttons were such a good idea.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Lovely! I am actually wearing the collared version of that blouse today! You didn't miss anything using the other sleeve...I ended up cutting my sleeves down because they felt too puffy! Nice use of a remnant!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Very nice - that's my favorite view of that pattern. I love the pink, and I appreciate the tip about buttons with polka dots. Your seams inside look so neat - I have never thought of binding princess seams, but perhaps I shall sometime in the future now!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love this pattern, but the sleeve is a bit large. Your version in pink is very sweet.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh I love pink! Such a pretty blouse. The insides of all your garments always look so pretty. Today I'm working on a dress and did french seams on the inside, they look so pretty (I usually just use my serger). BTW, I keep thinking you'll show us a picture of you with your growing baby bump - surely I'm not the only one who can't wait to see how you're growing. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Seriously, I didn't mean to say "pretty" so many times in my comment - must be my word for the day! lol

    ReplyDelete
  19. How pretty! I love the polka dot fabric, and I think the pattern was perfect for it. :-) Excellent job, as always. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Lovely, this is one of my favourite blouse patterns, its really flattering.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Love how you're working it! Adorable!

    ReplyDelete
  22. This blouse looks so perfect in this fabric and colour! And your covered buttons look wonderful too.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Such a pretty blouse. I like the binding on the facings. It makes the blouse look really high end!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Pink is one of my favorite colors. The polka dots make it so fun. Grat job.

    ReplyDelete
  25. What a pretty blouse! I love pink paired with gray. As always, your sewing is impecable!

    ReplyDelete
  26. The polka dots have a vintage look. I really like your blouse. Very classy and well-sewn.

    ReplyDelete
  27. So pretty inside and out! And too adorable with that leopard skirt.

    ReplyDelete
  28. A very nice shirt!I imagine them to you very nicely!

    ReplyDelete
  29. You're going to have a ton of pretty things for fall! When does baby get here? Are you doing any baby sewing yet?

    ReplyDelete
  30. All things pink are stunning to me and that blouse is delicately beautiful. Love your interior finish.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Amanda I love your color choices for the fall. This blouse is beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Gorgeous blouse Amanda! I love the fabric, color and print! Beautiful job as usual with this creation!

    ReplyDelete
  33. OMG!!! This is a gorgeous blouse! You have such great style! That plum jacket is awesome, and the combination with the animal print, so stylish! I love following your blog.
    I've tried commentingn several times, but couldn't get it right. But, now! Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  34. I just wanted to let you know I love your blog! I love reading it and
    seeing your pictures. Thank you for inspiring me and bringing me
    sunshine!
    I gave an award to you one my blog so check it out here:
    http://feathersflights.blogspot.com/2010/07/blog-award.html

    ReplyDelete
  35. I just found your blog and I love it!
    I'll be following you.
    Hope you can stop by my blog.

    Maria from:
    http://mycurrenthobby.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  36. Hola Amanda hace poco que he descubierto tu blog, me gusta mucho todos los modelos que confeccionas tanto de la revista Burda como de otros patrones, haces un trabajo excelente. Yo tambien tengo un blog de costura y tambien utilizo patrones del burda mi dereccion es: http://eltallerdelacosturera.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  37. Pink polka dots? Yes please! Too dang cute and girly. :)

    ReplyDelete