It took me on and off all day to finish Kirsten’s new blouse, but I think it was worth the time and effort…
I found the fabric I wanted to use and loved its softness and sheer look, but it turned out to be a “little too sheer!” Instead of adding a solid lining and having the tufts disappear against the lining fabric, and then making it more stiff than I wanted, I decided to underline the front and back and collar pieces with the same fabric, matching up the tufts and treating it like one single piece of fabric…
Here I am matching up the tufts for those pieces… you can see it’s still sheer, but not nearly as much as just a single layer of this fabric.
Here are the pieces pressed… you can see the difference in the single layer at the bottom of the blouse, which I left about an inch longer until I was ready to finish the hem…
Here are 2 closeups of the fabric used so you can see how nice it is…
I have 2 snaps sewn to the back of the blouse and I actually think I’m just going to leave the hem serged, to cut down on any extra bulk around the waist area…
Kirsten loves it and can’t wait for what comes next!
Well, it doesn’t look like this should have taken me all day, but it did! Sheer fabrics take extra time… so does sewing on snaps, being extra careful when you press it, pulling up the gathers ever so carefully so as not to pull any runners in the fabric, I had to put the collar on 3 times… one time it was too long when it was folded over, so I had to take it off and cut off about 1/4″, then I stitched it on with the wrong side facing out, so I had to take that one off, then I finally got it sewn on the right way… See, just because I sew a lot doesn’t mean I never make any flub ups! :o)
Well, I hope you have a wonderful Friday,
I’ll see you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
I love Kirsten’s blouse–it is pretty and feminine, and works so well with the skirt/apron.
That was really painstaking (“picky”!!) work, matching the tufts like that, but worth it because of how good it looks. Now if it were I, I would probably have gone to my stash of batistes, and choose on of the lighter-weight ones for the underlining, but of course not everyone helped keep Marth Pullen in business for so many years!! 😂 (I have one box of nothing but heirloom sewing fabrics, and a small one of fine laces and trims.)
Oh, LInda, what a special thing that card with hankies for every day of the week is! I’ve never seen one like that. I do have a card with a hankie in it that was among those hankies I got from our friend at church a while back, and I remember getting at least one or two birthday cards with a pretty hankie as a lady’s skirt, when I was a child/young teen.
Joy, once again you had us on the edges of our seats with your latest package adventures! Glad it all worked out so well. (Your secret location must be Huge!!)
Perfect, Jeanne! I love that you left the sleeves sheer! Now what for the front? Something blue? I was thinking of a vest, made of the same blue material as the skirt, ut wojod that be too matchy-matchy? Maybe just a pretty blue ribbon?
Yes, Charlotte, I love that birthday card from the 40’s! Several hankies are missing though. They are small, child sized and have cute pictures on them.
Love Kirsten’s new blouse. Know it was a lot of work, but the look is perfect. 🙂
Had an unusual day yesterday. I was notified a week or so ago that UPS had a package arriving for me today. For the life of me, I could not figure out what it might be or the sender. Only said coming from New Jersey. Then, Wednesday, I received an update saying the package was arriving yesterday. Okay. Still couldn’t figure it out. We went about our day and in the afternoon, I checked UPS. Well, they have put back their follow the truck, so I could actually see where the driver was headed. Truck wandered all over town. Busy, so didn’t get back to check until later, much later. Oh no, delivered. But, when? Said 5:45. Guess we were watching the news right by the door. Must have been a very quiet delivery person because peeking out the bedroom window, I could just see a very large box on the mat. Crazy. A mystery package for sure. So, dinner was over and other person was still on the couch. Package still on the mat. No way would it be possible to bring in that huge box. And was it even for me? Finally, other person decided to get a move on and headed into the bedroom. Long dark outside, I went into the living room and opened the door. Picked up the large box and came back inside. So curious, I carried it across the house and back to the hiding place just in time. Other person was now back in the living room watching something on tv. I very carefully found my sharpest scissors and in the semi darkness began operating on the most difficult box to open ever. Had other person decided to come back, I was going to tell him I was putting something in the dryer. But, that wasn’t necessary. I was able to read my address and name printed on the box. So, it was for me. Finally after slitting tape on several sides, I manipulated the box lid open. The inside was full of protective tissue and well wrapped. But, there was another decorative lovely box inside. Who was sending me a decorative box? No idea. No return name on the box. So, I opened the lovely decorative box. Inside was the AG office chair that went with the roll top desk I’d purchased a couple of weeks ago. Guess the seller decided to send me the chair as a gift. Yay. It was such a surprise and so fun to receive the cute chair. What a nice seller. 🙂
Another foggy day here, but will warm up this afternoon. Definitely need to get back to pulling blackberry. It appears to be growing before my very eyes.
What a happy day for you Joy! Getting the matching chair is wonderful. Need pictures of that set😉
Jeanne, that blouse is just the right fabric and texture. Collars can be such a pain… again your patience helped !
It is looking fantastic.
My email didn’t come today …but I found you🤭
How fun to receive a free bonus, Joy, and a matching chair is certainly nice.
Also glad you were able to get in the doll vanity without issue.
Kirsten’s new blouse in very pretty and she looks cool and comfy in it. The apron is lovely and nice and bright. I’m sure Kirsten is happy to be modeling again.
Dear Joy, wow how wonderful!!! I think that your vendor must know about your capers and must have decided to add one to your list (smile). Thanks for sharing.
Dear Jeanne, I love the outfit. I am trying to think of an accessory (apple? basket? doggie?) but I cannot come up with a suggestion. I know you will find the perfect one.
That is already beautiful, I am amazed at your skill, matching the tufts! That would have been the end for me.