Wednesday 28 October 2009

PURPLE AND PUFFY - IS IT A GOOD LOOK?

Fall (Autumn for us British) is well and truly here. It’s getting cooler and the days are shorter but what I like about it is the opportunity to create clothes in delicious darker shades. With that in mind I dug deep into my stash and pulled out a lovely piece of shiny silk in a jewel toned purple-blue that I purchased at New York Elegant Fabrics, whilst on a trip to NYC last winter. All wrong for summer but just right for a festive season top –


It’s made from my ‘new best friend’ blouse pattern - Simplicity 2501 that I wrote about in an earlier post.

This time I made view B and I think it looks very different from my first version. It still has the tie at the neck but it has a plain bodice front (no peplum and waistband) and has some lovely puffy sleeves. To be honest, as I am quite small, I did wonder if these sleeves were going to be a girly indulgence that I would regret but, you know what, I LOVE them and think I can get away with them. However, please feel free to correct me if I’m wrong on this count - is it OK for small girls to wear puffy things in shiny purple?

This version was slightly trickier than my earlier one, mainly because of the slippery nature of the fabric. The sleeves are a little fiddly because of all the pleats - my tip here is to be very accurate with the marking so that all the pleats are exactly the right size. To do this I used a combination of old fashioned tailor’s tacks and my new Clover Chaco Pen which I highly recommend – it’s so easy to use and works really well.


I also have to say how much I like this pattern, I’ve made two tops from it but I still think there’s a lot of mileage left in it because there’s more sleeve and collar options to try out and, of course, different fabric choices can give it a very different look.

But next up is going to be another dress. I love dresses and now that I’ve organized my fall/winter fabric stash there are several pieces of fabric crying out “Make me, make me – I’m going to be a lovely dress!” Let’s hope they’re right ……….

20 comments:

  1. Ooo.. I LoVE it! The color is beautiful! I must go out and get this pattern, too! Your two tops are just awesome! Can't wait to see your other fall creations, too.

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  2. It looks fantastic. Another pattern to buy!

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  3. You are right, this fabric color is perfect for fall and looks beautiful on you. The sleeves are not an issue because they suit you and you can definitely wear them :)
    I've really liked both tops you've made so I have put this pattern on my list of patterns to buy!

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  4. You look smashing. The color is fantastic.

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  5. I think the color is amazing on you! A great choice for fall.

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  6. I love the blouse and no, it doesn't look to girlie. I may end up with my own purple silk blouse as I think I've bought too much fabric for DD's formal dress.

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  7. You have been sewing up a storm. Lovely!

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  8. I love the blouse. I need to try the pattern! Thanks for the pen name. I will look for it!

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  9. Very pretty and lovely on you. No, it doesn't look too "little girl" on you at all. I had to laugh at that because I have a friend who is petite as you are, and she really has to watch what she wears in order not to look too childish. I never realized this was something people thought about. Anyway, love the color and fit as well. Great job!

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  10. I love those puffy sleeves, and the color. Looks terrific on you.

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  11. It looks lovely on you and the colour is beautiful. Great blouse!

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  12. That color IS delicious.

    I give you major credit for sewing an entire shirt from slippery fabric. I must be honest that I'd never heard of tailors tacks, so I just looked those up - thanks for teaching me something!

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  13. Thank you for the wonderful complement on my jacket.

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  14. This blouse looks just wonderful on you! Not too puffy at all but just enough to make it very feminine and lovely. I also love the collar detail.

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  15. Looks like we are both into tie neck blouses, yours is beautiful too!

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  16. Hi Eugenia - I stumbled across your blog in cyberspace and was very excited not least because your are a sewist in the UK! Most sewing bloggers seem to be in the US - or maybe I'm just not looking in the right place! Anyway, I think your blouse is lovely and the sleeves really suit you. Colour is gorgeous too!

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  17. I just read your comment - which course did you do?? Did you learn a lot from it?

    It is so nice to 'meet' (in cyberspace!) another sewer from London. I am sure there must be loads of us out there!

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  18. I just finished sewing a top from this pattern myself. I like the fabric you choose and I also think it works on you. Beautiful, beautiful color!

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  19. Absolutely brilliant look, love the dress color very much.
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