Level up: Blouse

"Blouse" is not a word I ever used until I started sewing. Anything I wore on top was a shirt, no matter what it looked like or what it was made of. Blouses were giant poufy 80s things with huge bows (sidenote: those are back. I know.)

But in sewing, things are more specific. Shirts are tailored and button-down, blouses are...not. Highly technical language, I know. Anyway, "blouse" has come back into my vocabulary. And now into my wardrobe!

I did two new things with this project: made a blouse, and made a muslin/toile. A toile is basically an unfinished test version that you make in order to test the fit. I haven't bothered up until now because, 1) I'm so slow, and it's basically like making another half a thing, and 2) my waist and hip measurements fit into a standard pattern size, and I mostly made skirts. But since, as always, I read far in advance of my actual skill level, I was pretty paranoid about fitting on the top, what with being larger than a B-cup (which is pattern standard).

Enjoy my classy pjs and morning hair.

So I made the toile in a 14 (from an old bedsheet!) and tried it on. And then stared at it - I could tell it didn't fit properly, but I had no idea what the problem was. Toile fail. I thought at first it was too small across the bust, but eventually I decided it was too big everywhere else, which is why it was pulling. For the real thing I cut a 12 for the top and a 14 for the bottom (for the hips).

I do like the blouse - I wore it to work on Friday! But I think it might still be too big. When I make it again (which I will), I think I'll cut a 12 all around. And maybe shorten the back? If I can figure out how. In any case, I totally count this as a win.

2013 ahoy

Hello!

Another photoless post...because I completely forgot to take any photos of the shirt I made for my dad for Christmas.This may be because once again I was sewing on the buttons on Christmas Eve. Sigh. But the shirt turned out great, and he was happy again. Next year I'll do something for my mom.

But now, something for me. I have an objective for 2013: Become a faster sewer. By this I mean both actually sew faster (or at least pin faster, read patterns faster, fret less) and finish projects more quickly (meaning spend more time sewing). So my goal to make this happen is to try to complete one thing for me every month. If this happens, I'll have 12 new pieces of clothing at the end of 2013! And wouldn't that be awesome.

In the interests of completion, though, January's project is actually two UFO's - the shirt that just needs buttonholes and buttons, and the dress from my class, which needs a lot of handsewing. But starting February, I'm digging into the post where I matched fabrics with patterns, and making something new each month. Scout's honour.