Variations on a Summer Blouse
Friday, February 20, 2009 at 07:01PM 
This is exactly what I was hoping for.
The clothing projects in Weekend Sewing are basic pieces. They are intended to walk you through your first sleeve, your first collar, your first zipper, your first buttonhole, your first bust dart. Once you've got the hang of things, you can change things around any way you like. Or at least... thats what I was hoping! Which is why I was sooooo thrilled to come across this post today (whilst googling myself shamelessly) by "Film in The Fridge" who was inspired by the Summer Blouse project to sew her very first sleeve! How exciting. And then, even better, she made some simple alterations to my pattern (actually, it sounds like she may have ignored it altogether the second time around, but I prefer to feel needed), opened up the neck a bit, very flattering, customized the length (if you are curvy, a blouse looks best when it hits the top of your hip bone) and the sleeves (three-quartered and re-shaped) and voila! Plus she made a fantastic fabric choice in Anna Marias red and orange print.
Am so proud. Could just burst. Emailing her now to see if she is willing to write up her revisions for us all and allow me to post them here.
And thanks so much for all of your kind emails, comments, and notes about Weekend Sewing, I am so glad you like it!
Reader Comments (6)
I love your book. I just got it this week and then had to order some more of your fabircs to make myself the sundress and I think I am going to also try out the top you have shown here. I am so impressed with how much detail you explain the patterns in and I LOVE the pictures... Great book.
i just ordered your book, i've never made clothes before and would love to. i already love your fabrics.
Spoken like a proud mama.
Now I want to go make one of those shirts.
That is such a wonderful, flattering, easy feeling blouse. Love it! and congratulations on the book!!!! So happy you have a blog! and hope to get to actually meet you next quilt market!
I just bought your book today! And my first project I wanted to make was this shirt. It will be my first shirt, first sleeve. I hope that "film in the fridge" shares her alterations because her top looks amazing.
I love your book. I've been intimidated to sew a shirt, but your book and these photos are so inspiring!
I have a question about putting in the bias tape on the summer shirt. I have a bias binder attatchment for my vintage Singer and have finally figured out how to make it work. Can I apply the bias tape with this instead of the way it's described in your instructions?
Also, I have large feet (size 11), and I've made the fabulous slippers in your book and found the pattern runs a little small. What is the best way to enlarge the pattern to keep it proportional? Your pattern goes to what seems like a smallish 9-10.
Thanks in advance for any help you can give.