Sunday, February 8, 2009

Deep Stash - Simplicity 2936

Pattern Description: Misses blouse with sleeve and collar variations. I made the collarless version with the pintuck darts.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, with the exception of the change I made to the sleeve.

Were the instructions easy to follow? They looked easy enough. I checked them out in the beginning to see if there were any surprises but went my own way after that. It's a pretty simple design.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I would not have looked twice at this pattern from the envelope pictures, but I fell in love with Deepika's version that she made in July and knew I had to make one eventually.

Fabric Used: Probably the oldest fabric in my stash. This was originally my great-grandmom's fabric, purchased in the 50s (according to my 84 year old aunt). When grandmom died in 1972, my mom inherited the stash. When I moved out in 1983, I absconded with it, so it's been in my stash now for 25 years. It's cotton, very soft and and with a slight sheen. I used the reverse side because I liked the softness of the colors better than the dark outlines on the "right" side.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: Very few. Despite trying it on basted together, when I sewed the side seams the blouse was the tiniest bit snug across the boobage. This doesn't look like a shirt that needs an FBA, and it was too late at that point - and I certainly couldn't replace the fabric. But the stripes in the front were placed so that I could extend the button placket underneath by about a 1/4", which was all I needed, and the upper placket still lined up nicely.

I didn't so much change the sleeves as leave them "unfinished." I didn't want to put elastic in the sleeves and was going to add a band, so that I could use the last two buttons I had, but when I came out of the workroom to get something, DBF looked away from the television, said "I like the sleeves," and went back to it. He doesn't often voice opinions on my works in progress, and I decided that at least for now I would go with the wider sleeve. I still have the bands and the extra buttons tucked into the pattern envelope if I change my mind.

Besides the right side/wrong side issue, I couldn't make up my mind which of the fabric's colors to accentuate - the orange or the aqua. When in doubt, use both. The buttonholes are done in aqua thread, and the buttons are a peachy-orange from the stash. I like the combination.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I will absolutely sew this one again, next time taking into account that I need a skooch more space in the bodice or I might pop a button at someone not deserving of it. The blouse itself is a great basic shape that would work with lots of different sleeeves or collars.

Conclusion: Definitely a winner, and I'm pleased that I managed to use up the oldest piece in my stash. My great grandmom could never decide what pattern would be "good enough" for this fabric, but I think I found one.

7 comments:

cidell said...

Now that is a seriously deep stash! I like the blouse and how good you must feel being able to wear fabric that was your grandmother's!

-E said...

Wise man... the first thing I said was "oh! I love the sleeves!"

I love a story :)

Rachel said...

And I thought my 14 month old fabric I am currently sewing was old. Whew!! 25 years. Well, saving it paid off because that is a lovely top and the fact that it was your grandmother's fabric makes it even more special.

Meg said...

Blouse looks great, nice fabric.

Berry said...

What a nice fabric story. This blouse with the wide sleeves looks really nice! I also like the orange/acqua button compromise ;o)

Kat said...

So pretty! I wouldn't think to ever pair orange-y tones and blue but this print is beautiful. Simply a cute style with a nice neckline.

Tany said...

THat's gorgeous! Well done!