At long last, I can join the legions of sewing-bloggers who have made Tasia's Pendrell Blouse. This pretty blouse has princess seams, and can be made plain, with ruffles, or like I did--with folded sleeves. So cute!
I am in love with this fabric! It is a rayon blend knit from fabric.com. When it arrived in the mail, it was a little stiff, but after washing it twice, it softened up quite a bit. (In retrospect, it might have been easier to work with when it was stiffer!) I think the print looks very Art Deco, and the colors are divine--plum, teal, pink, navy, tan, and yellow!
(Untucked- just enough fitted, just enough loose)
The pattern came together easily (with one major hiccup, I'm getting to that). While making it, I referred to some of Tasia's thorough sew-a-long posts--a list of all of those posts can be found here. When I cut out the fabric, one panel was inexplicably several inches shorter than the others, so I had to shorten all of the panels, but it still turned out nice and long. Also, I took in the side seams by over an inch on each side--probably because I was using a knit with some stretch instead of a stable woven.
The one issue I had was due to user-error. While trimming the princess seam allowance, I accidentally cut through the back of the blouse! Arrrrgh! The horror! My hubby came running into the room--he thought I had cut myself by the screams!
(See how big the cut was?!?)
I Frankenstein-ed a patch with fusible interfacing and a scrap of fabric, and hand-sewed down the edges. Not perfect, but a good enough fix.
This blouse was also the first time I used my new serger on a "real" project. I was terrified!!! I serged the bottom hem before turning it up, and it took me almost 20 minutes to serge that one hem. I kid you not... that's how slow and careful I was going.
(Got a lot of air on this jump! ha ha ha!)
The verdict-- I love this blouse, and recommend it! Hubby is a fan of the folded sleeves! And it was a joy to make! Now, here are some gratuitous shots of how it can be styled.
(Belted with a tan belt, and tucked in)
OMG nightmare about the cut!!!! But I think you saved it very well and the mend can hardly be seen - phew! It's a really lovely top, and I'm so glad you made the folded sleeve version as I haven't seen too many of that version and it's the one I'm thinking of making.
ReplyDeleteI once cut through the bodice of a dress...and yes, screamed bloody murder. I'm glad you were able to save it. It turned out great! Fantastic fabric.
ReplyDeleteOh! So glad you could save it! This is one of my absolute favourite versions of the blouse I've seen! I adore that fabric!!!
ReplyDeleteGlad you could save the blouse, it's really cute on you.
ReplyDeleteLook at you! Lovely top.
ReplyDeleteMy first serger project was nowhere near as professional as your effort here! Well done :o)
It is a beautiful blouse and beautiful fabric. Congrats on your perfect mending job and your first official serger project. Love the high jump!
ReplyDeleteoh the joys of using an overlocker for the first time. lol. your top is lovely. I have been meaning to buy this pattern, but for some reason i keep changing my mind. making your husband rush to you because of your screams was so funny.
ReplyDeleteJumping for joy are you? Gorgeous as usual!
ReplyDeleteLooks fantastic on you! I love the fabric, the print and colours are so unique! It's great with the classic black pencil skirt, too. Glad you were able to save it and patch up the cutting mistake!
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