FO: I Heart Bows Blouse

A bow and hundreds of tiny hearts... how can you go wrong?

This was a very quick make, based off of New Look 6107 and inspired by the many loose-fitting, floaty blouses I've seen in the blogosphere lately.  I had always intended to use this fabric and pattern together, but had planned on a more fitted silhouette.  I don't know why, because it would have worked against the flowy fabric.

I've made a shirt using this pattern before.  This time, I omitted the darts, added a tiny bit of extra width at the hips, added gathers to the CB, and added about two inches in length.  I didn't want to deal with the button-down front, since it uses a facing that I knew would show through the slightly sheer fabric, so I changed it to a center front seam.  This allowed me to use the burrito method (from Jalie 2921) to attach the neck tie.  I love the clean finish it gives.  I used a similar burrito method on the yoke as well.  With that, the french seams, the bias tape at the center of the neckline, and the bias tape finished armholes, the inside is almost as pretty as the outside.

Outside on the left, inside on the right! So pretty!

There wasn't enough fabric for long sleeves, only short ones, and I didn't think that would work with the shape of the top so I left it sleeveless.  It turns out I have very few sleeveless shirts in my closet, so it's actually a nice change.  Plus there's no fiddling to get a cardigan on over it.

Admittedly this is the fourth fifth sixth (oops...) bow neck item in my wardrobe.  BUT, the silhouette of the shirt is completely different from anything else I have, bow or not.  And, well, I like neck bows.  Sue me.

QUICK FACTS
Pattern: New Look 6107
Fabric: "Silk" (I'm skeptical...) from Chic Fabrics - 1.5 yards
Modifications: Lengthened by 2", wider & longer neck tie, omitted darts, sleeveless.  Bias tape finished at the CF.  Neck tie and yoke attached using the burrito method.

MMM Update: Days 8-18

I'm awfully far behind! My last MMM update was for Day 7, and here we are at Day 19.  I've still been rather disorganized about the photos, as evidenced by the unaccounted for Day 8, the out-of-order Day 9, and a couple of nighttime tired shots.

Day 9: Minoru Jacket, LOFT pants, a shirt I don't remember.

Day 10: SPRING! blouse & the bottom of what was formerly this dress.  I hacked off the top, it will get much more wear as a simple skirt.

Day 11: Upcycled dress I never blogged about (reconstructed using Simplicity 2444), and Gap cardigan.  I really love this outfit.

Day 12: Denim Trousers, H&M shirt, Old Navy cardigan.  

Day 13: Skipped.

Day 14: Jalie 2921 top, H&M cardigan, LOFT pants.

Day 15: Chiffon dress, Target cardigan.

Day 16: Azul y Verde dress, Gap cardigan.

Day 17: Artsy Plaid dress, Gap cardigan. 

Day 18: Almost Goldilocks dress.  

So far, MMM has been much easier than last year, which I take as a sign that in the last year I have made garments that fit my needs well.  In my original pledge, I said that I would style something differently than I have in the past each week.  I guess that technically I have done that, but honestly it's been wearing a different colored cardigan with a dress, which isn't really what I had in mind.  What I've discovered is that I like the way I dress and I don't really feel the need to push the style boundaries, if that makes sense.  Plus all I really own is cardigans, so it's hard to use my own wardrobe to style things in a way I normally wouldn't.
Instead of trying to push the style envelope in a way that doesn't really work for me, I'm trying to not repeat any outfits for the month.  So far, so good.
How is your MMM going?

My Loud Linen Laurel up for Readers' Choice!

What a great way to start my day! Colette Patterns announced the 20 Laurel dresses up for the Readers' Choice Award in their contest, and my Loud Linen Laurel is one of them.  There are a bunch of amazing dresses up for the prize, and many, many others in the Flickr Group.

Voting ends on Friday, May 17th at midnight PST - go vote for your favorites!

FO: Artsy Plaid Dress

This dress was part of my winter sewing plans, and I do not know why it took me so long to sew it up! I knew it would fill a huge gap in my wardrobe, and it didn't disappoint.  Since it's black and white it goes with almost all of my cardigans and shoes, but the print keeps it interesting.

I used McCall 6507, a pattern I used once before to make a peplum top.  I wear that top almost once a week, and I know this dress will see at least that much wear.  They are both fantastic for workdays - office appropriate with a sweater, but not too stuffy for an outing after work.

I raised the CB by 1" like last time, and also lengthened the bodice by 1/2".  The waist seam is drafted to sit a little high (intentionally) but I prefer dresses at my natural waist - more flattering, and a belt doesn't slip all over.  Oddly I cut the same size as last time (a 10), but had to take it in two inches at the center back.  I guess next time I'll cut a 6 or 8? I left off the skirt overlay - a little too fussy for me.  I added a skirt lining, to provide a little more oomph, and also to make it an all-weather dress.  Now I can wear it with tights in cooler weather.

Here's how I wore it for MMM Day 7:

Expect to see this one a few more times for Me-Made-May!

QUICK FACTS

Fabric: Rayon challis (haha... must be over half of my me-made wardrobe...) from Fabric Mart and rayon lining from Mood (I think?)

Pattern: McCall 6507

Modifications: raised CB scoop for coverage, lengthened bodice by 1/2", added skirt lining, left off overlay.