Blouses are awesome.

I need to iron.

I hate to iron, but I do it. As I was doing laundry the other week, I lined up all the blouses I had an realized they were all from the same pattern. Its amazing how you stick with something you like once you get it the way you want.

I apply that rule to blouses. I LURV blouses. All eras. If I have a dress with an interesting bodice, Ill try to make a blouse from it. Ive done that quite a bit.

I have a repro from the 1910s that I think is super cool.

I like 20s blouses with fitted skirts.

I like 30s blouses with trousers. I find this decades separates geared toward activity.

Yay.

But I would have to say the most versatile decade for blouses is the 1940s.

Work, play, outings, even formal, these tops go the extra mile. Delicious.

With blouses on my mind, I decided to issue my newest repro.

From the mid 30s, this over blouse has a button front and a great optional kerchief. The blouse is a 42 bust, awesome. Im totally going to make this up in a nice linen.

Thanks all!

Too much a** for the 20s

Yeah, I knew it.

I love a lot of 20s looks and Ive made 20s items before, but none where belt hung at the hip area.

The boxy flapper dresses I always thought were out of my body range. I was right. Well, out of the *back* of my body range.

You are supposed to look like a big old rectangle coming and going. Mission accomplished. I was actually laughing at myself for how close all sides of my body looked in this dress, sans the rear. I just got too much butt, and this style does not help. Its comfortable, and I could see throwing a sweater over this and perhaps wearing it to a lunch, but as far as the most flattering for my figure, not even close. Still I want to make another, perhaps in black velvet with a turquoise sash thats pinned to the dress. Id still be a mass of rectangle, but a stylish one.

More pictures on NVL.

My next completed project is my first attempt at the 40s sport dress.

I do like the look a lot, and the skirt hangs amazingly well. I did a basic curved neckline for the back and front on this first try, but I might square it off on my next attempt.

I want to make one (bolero included) that looks like the golden yellow one of the illustration I drew. Do it in linen. So, so sporty.

More images on NVL.

Lastly I also completed the repro apron.

I went simple on this one and just added a few buttons.

A tip on the back, although the one button look is awesome, it pivots a lot, so you might want to fit it to you and either sew it shut (it will slip over your head just fine) or add two buttons to reduce the pivoting on the closure.

I think this apron is super cute, and fit pretty well. Im totally gonna put this bad girl to use!

And lastly Im getting started on my safari styled Du Barry suit in a lovely linen. Yay!

I gotta start trusting Onda.

I'm listening to the Ella songbook on shuffle, again. Superb.

First off some more finished projects.

I completed the brown seersucker dress and the vintage cotton print version, both from my WWII pattern. Detailed pictures are on NVL. I do believe the flower print one is my favorite. I really like the pocket detail. I think its pretty cool.

Next I cut the brown eyelet for the 40s sport dress.

To anyone out there thinking of getting this repro, a tip on cutting the fabric. The skirt has monster flair (RAD!!!) so you will have to cut each piece individually, not with folded fabric. Well, you *could* fold the fabric, it just that layout would use like 2 more yards than you might want to buy. Just sayin'.

I did my alterations on the pattern, and using my notes from the mock up, began construction. I put the work in progress on Onda and noticed the extra room beneath the arms.

Im thinking, "Okay, Onda is smaller than me." I've been thinking that for a while. Even though, what's that stuff, oh! FACTS say we are the same measurements, I cant get over it. I keep thinking Im larger than her, so instead of me paying attention to the extra fabric, I just leave it thinking Ill fill it out. Um....no.

Its not devastating, and frankly, for a 'sport dress' Im sure I can totally get away with it for 'arm reach', yeah! Yeah! Thats what Ill say.

Im still playing with the back. I lowered it another two inches and it looks cool. I completed all the machine sewing early yesterday, and now I just have to tack the hem and the neck line facing (everyone repeat, "I face everything!"). I also need to whip up a belt from the scraps, and I get to pick out buttons for the back! I made the button holes functional, even though I sewed the casing closed. I just loves functional button holes. I'm sad, I know.

I think, after this one, I am going to look into making a linen one, and if I cant find the linen in a golden yellow, Im going to dye it. I was thinking of an online friend of mine who dyes a lot of stuff she makes, and Im thinking it may try a dye job on a finished garment. I have three cones of 100% cotton thread (white) so I can overlock the linen as well. Oh fun! Its all Ive been thinking about.

Another project Ive been working on is the 20s dress. I fixed the side pleats and added the pockets today.

Im completing the neckline, and it needs a belt.

I also pinned the pieces of my apron as well. All together now, "I face everything."

I backed the apron with an old sheet for stability more than anything. Im planning on overlocking the pieces this afternoon, and maybe knocking the apron out. I guess this is where I wish I had a rolled hem foot for my machine...

*whew*

Catalog Sunday

This Sunday its stout woman's jimjams from Lane Bryant.

Lane Bryant 30-31

Lane Bryant 1932

Lane Bryant 1935-1936

Lane Bryant 1942

Sport dress progress.

I decided to use the brown eyelet for the sport dress repro I have.

I haven't made this pattern yet so I had to do a mock up.

Some of the details I changed were the low cut back. I would love to wear it, but Im not the kind of gal who can go braless. Im going to cut the back as low as I can make it. I have to make a few alterations; take in the bust on the sides, add an inch to the front skirt at the middle seam, and lengthen the bodice about 1/2".

I want to make this in a golden yellow linen (looking something like the illustration I drew), but I have to find some linen that will do the job.

Im still not too sure how Im going to tackle the back. I might get rid of the fold all together. Im going to cut the fabric out later today. Hope it turns out good!

More to come!