Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Presenting the Bow-Tied Blouse!

This is project 7 of 14 from Vogue's New Book for Better Sewing! Can you believe I'm halfway through? I just adore this little blouse, and it was fun and easy to make.

Here's a shot of the back, of which I'm extremely proud. I made bound buttonholes and made fabric-covered buttons with the help of a Dritz kit.

And here I am modeling it with the bolero, a la the photograph in VoNBBS

Here's what VoNBBS had to say about this project:

The short-sleeve blouse that has a soft neckline interest is a wonderful suit blouse . . . you can also wear it with any skirt in your wardrobe. We made it in wool jersey (which will teach you how to handle knitted fabric). You can make it in practically any fabric you wish . . . make it in black velveteen or pastel slipper satin for evening . . . make it in linen, pique, or chambray for warm weather in chalk-white, black, or a bright, vibrant colour. For cool weather you can also make the blouse in sheer wool or challis. The blouse buttons all the way down the back (it also has a Peter Pan collar version). It should take a beginner about 9 hours to make.

Well, this definitely didn't take me 9 hours, so perhaps I really am improving! After I figured out the bound buttonholes, I was able to whip this up in an afternoon. I will definitely be making this pattern again - actually I already have another one cut out. It will be teal wool/angora jersey, with the Peter Pan collar. This is basically my dream blouse for work, so I'll probably be whipping up a bunch of these suckers. And the pattern I bought actually fit me perfectly, no alterations required! I love it when things work out so easily!


The next VoNBBS project up is the little girl's party dress, which I imagine will be simple and a lot of fun to make. But then the projects start getting . . . involved. Let's just say that the second half of VoNBBS will separate the women from the girls. The subsequent project, the full-skirted dress, is estimated to take 30 hours! Well, when the going gets tough, the tough get . . . sewing?

70 comments:

  1. I think you look wonderful in this blouse, Gertie. It's really lovely, with that soft colour and the bow tie. I just can't help wondering: How do you get all those buttons buttoned up on your own? ;-)

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  2. That blouse is gorgeous!!! It looks so, so beautiful--I just love the details of the bound buttonholes! That's it--I've got to go dig out my pattern for a similar style and find some fabric. I need a blouse like this! lol.

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  3. Wow, this is lovely. It really suits you as well. Very very charming. Looking forward to seeing the Peter Pan collar version too.

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  4. Beautiful blouse! I'm with Karin, how do you get all those buttons buttoned up on your own???

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  5. It looks even more beautiful than the envelope! And how uncanny that it did not require alterations! Do you think that you can wear a necklace with it? Or does the bow tie limit you? -Backseat Betty

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  6. The posts on bound buttonholes couldn't have come at a better time, as I tackle this: http://www.mccallpattern.com/item/M5764.htm in a gorgeous black and white wool herringbone...

    I have to confess, the blouse looks so much better made than I thought it would - the collar is just the cutest.

    Oh, btw - your hair looks awesome in these shots!

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  7. Oh, thank you for reminding me! I got a great tip from a commenter here about how to get into a blouse like this easily. You leave the middle buttons buttoned, and slip it over your head. Then you can easily button the top and bottom buttons on your own. Works like a charm!

    And yeah, I think a necklace might be overkill. But not earrings and bracelets and such!

    I'm glad you all like it! :)

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  8. P.S. Carina, that capelet is going to be fab! Looks just like one they had at Anthro this season.

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  9. Wow, that blouse is marvelous on you! I love the color you chose.

    My favorite collar type is the peter pan style, so I can't wait to see how that one comes out!

    Great job :)

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  10. Everything about that blouse is fantastic! Fit, construction, fabric choice and YES the buttonholes! Don't you just love it when all the elements come together and work so well? Not having to do alterations was a big bonus too. Great job!

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  11. I can see its going to be a very versatile blouse! I want one!! :) I'll have to get searching for the pattern.

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  12. Wow. I'm don't usually favour baby blue, but this looks stunning, Gertie! I definitely understand why you're willing to make some others, it fits gorgeously! And covered buttons are always an extra charming point (especially on the back)...
    I'd be eager to see how the pattern reacts when using a very different fabric, too!

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  13. What a beautiful blouse! And VoNBBS is right in this case, it seems to go to all sorts of things; work, dancing, dinner out... I had planned for sewing a couple of blouses, now I'm really on! =)
    Thank you for being such a source of inspiration! Whenever I start feeling lack of energy for my creative projects, your blog will always cheer me up!

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  14. Wow!! that looks perfect on you - I can see why you're making a bunch for work - if I had a project work out perfectly like that - I certainly would too!!

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  15. Yay! I love how this looks and it makes me more excited for my making my Butterick top. It's so similar in feel to this. However, I think I'm going with wovens for mine. ;)

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  16. This is a great little top and I can see why you want to make a wardrobe of them! Good work on the bound buttonholes!!!

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  17. Very pretty! It looks great on you. I can see why you would make more

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  18. THAT is a great blouse - and to make it in wool jersey is a terrific idea - during the winter, regular blouses are just not warm enough at work and a sweater is just too much. And it looks fantastic on you. Bravo!

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  19. wow, that is a bow-tied blouse with an attitude! :-) You look wonderful in it.
    I'm so sorry I can't button it easily myself, otherwise, I would make one.
    What is your trick to button up? a roomie?

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  20. Very cute! I LOVE the blouse with the bolero!

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  21. Beautiful, and beautifully done.
    -Sandra

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  22. Oh, that turned out super cute! I love that blouse!

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  23. Oh, that's just beautiful -- great job!

    You know what intrigues me about the Vogue book's fabric suggestions? "Sheer wool." Does such a thing really exist? Color me very intrigued...

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  24. It really is perfect - the fabric, the cut... simple, elegant, yet oh so feminine! The neckline is gorgeous. I can tell why you're going to make this one up again!

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  25. The blouse looks great! I love the color you chose (and your hair is too cute too).

    I can't wait to see what the second half of the book holds. :)

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  26. Let me join the chorus - absolutely beautiful. It looks so effortlessly chic, and is lovely paired up with the grey pencil skirt. I would never have considered sewing with wool knit but you make it look so good I immediately want to rush out and buy some!

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  27. Looks amazing, yet again! So pretty and fresh and smart! Well done.

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  28. Thank you, everyone! You guys are so encouraging! :)

    PatternJunkie, there IS such a thing as sheer wool, isn't that interesting?! At Mood, they have wool voile, which is just like cotton voile (sheer and airy). And challis is a very thin wool that can sometimes be sheer as well I believe.

    verobirdie, see my tip above about getting into a button-back blouse. No roomie or partner required!

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  29. You look lovely! You are gonna a get LOTS compliments when you wear it and how extra-awesome to be able to say, why thankyou, I made it myself.

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  30. So, so cute. I love your hair style and glasses with it....

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  31. This looks great on you Gertie! Very versatile.

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  32. Don't you and your smashing new blouse look terrific! What technique did you end up doing for the bound buttonholes? Any tips to pass on?

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  33. Love that blouse! Nice work on the bound buttonholes!

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  34. All you need is a tam to look just like the original photograph.

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  35. Such a flattering blouse! That blue is divine and the bound buttonholes look really nice.

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  36. Very Lois Lane! Your construction techniques are becoming awesomely good.

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  37. Your blouse looks beautiful!!
    Have fun making the little dress. I cannot imagine spending 30 hours on something - I look forward to hearing how much time it really takes you!!

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  38. Congratulations on your progress. The blouse is beautiful and fits you to a "T".

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  39. That is such a great blouse. It looks gorgeous on you. It looks awesome with the bolero, too. I would definitely whip up a number of these for work.

    And great job on the bound button holes and covered buttons. I am very impressed.

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  40. Verrrrry cute!
    Great fit.
    Great buttonholes.
    Who could ask for more! :)

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  41. You are so adorable and what a lovely blouse!


    ♥Darla

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  42. Through out this whole process when you make every garment I want to buy and sew every single pattern in the book. Especially this blouse and the portrait blouse but end up just getting frustrated as everyone else to own the patterns now too and I just can't find them. So frustrating!

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  43. Gertie you look fantastic! "Sew" inspirational!

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  44. I love this blouse - I have to make one of my own! I hope I can find the pattern or one similar to it in my size somewhere...

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  45. This blouse is fabulous, and you look fantastic in it! Your blog is inspiring me as I find my way back to sewing after giving up many years ago. I look forward to all of your new posts!

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  46. I adore this blouse! I need to make one just like it!!

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  47. YOU look mahvelous, dahling! Great job on the blouse, fits you to a "T"

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  48. Perfect combination of blouse, hairstyle, glasses and tats. Looking good.

    Vibeke in Oslo

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  49. Gosh! It's wonderful. The colour looks beautiful on you and the cut is to die for.

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  50. It looks great. Both with and without the bolero, I get so inspired to sew!

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  51. Great Job Gertie. You are inspiring lots of people to try new things. Thank you for that.

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  52. Chiming in with this grand chorus to add my kudos on a beautiful blouse, complete with bound buttonholes AND covered buttons! I want one too! I love the tip on how to put on a back-buttoned blouse (dress, anything) - how clever. :D You are awesome, Gertie!

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  53. Beautiful blouse and it suits you so well. Bound buttonholes? WOW, I have been sewing for 40 years and don't think I could execute enough bound buttonholes to be useful. Great job. What a wonderful idea to start at the beginning of the book and work your way through it. KUDOS!

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  54. wonderful!!! i am not normally fond of high necklines, but this one is soo feminine. regarding the pattern, i will simply try to use any similar top pattern from Burda and modify a bit. Also one can clearly see this is a soft tiangle shape. just measure neck, shoulders length and make the front bit bigger - to fit the bust lines afterwords. that is all. You could try to make one from a cheap fabric first.

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  55. I have just started following your blog and I have become completely obsessed with this blouse. I have looked for a number of days and cannot find this blouse pattern. Darn it. This becoming addicted to a vintage pattern could become quite maddening when it can't be found. It turned out beautifully and makes me want a baby blue blouse, too. I don't have a single thing in that color and it reminds me so much of what my mother wore when I was a little girl. Good job!

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  56. I, too, am inspired by your gorgeous results to try and find this pattern... alas, with no success! I think you may have gotten the last one in existence! lol

    It's beautiful tho... and I love your blog. Great job.

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  57. Hello I see you create blouses with buttons at the back. It is gorgeous. But why always for women? Wouldn't you create that for men? I have one myself and it is really nice to wear it. Maybe I give you an idea

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  58. So glad I've just found your blog. Lovely stuff!
    And THAT BLOUSE!? Ohh my, oh my, I want! xxx

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  59. you did a great job..and it looks great on you

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  61. I was just looking for some idea for my new blouse and I came across this post and saw you gorgeous in this lovely blouse.
    And thanks for the tip on the back button fastening.

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  62. My God! Are these waists? Did these 50's women breath? How?

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  63. Can someone please, please help me? I really want to make this blouse but I can't find the pattern anywhere. Is there someone who knows a similar blouse or can help me with my problem? Thanks!!

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  64. I just love this blouse and like Sara I WANT THIS PATTERN! Seriously, anyone out there know if there is one in existence?

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  65. Gertie,

    Will this pattern be in your book?

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  66. I have the book and am wondering if anyone can tell me if 5/8 inch seam allowance is included on the pattern?

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  67. I must say, you are very fashionable. Very vintage look. You must shop a lot at dress boutiques. Doubt you'll find those in most mainstream stores.

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  68. Where did you find the pattern??

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Thanks for your comments; I read each and every one! xo Gertie

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