The hardest part, for me, when trying to evoke a particular decade is getting the fabric choice right and making the finished product look more like an everyday outfit rather than a costume. I also knew that in August it was going to be hot, so I wanted a natural fabric that would breathe .
Getting the fabric for this outfit was an exercise in frustration. I was trying to find a floral print fabric that wasn't shiny and had the right drape, but I kept striking out. I finally settled for a green seersucker, which wasn't what I really wanted. Then when I went to get it cut the bolt was actually two cuts of fabric and not long enough for my pattern. Fail. I ended up buying some red seersucker, but I still wasn't happy.
I brought it home and washed it, but because I wasn't happy with it I never got around to cutting it.
I hit the fabric store a few weeks after getting the seersucker to pick up some patterns and I just happened to find an absolutely beautiful plaid fabric at my local JoAnn's in their "famous maker" section. It's a light yellow with grey and blue stripes, it's a little bit sheer and it's wool. Yes, wool. For summer. It's a summer- weight wool. I did not even know this existed. It's super soft and feels awesome. I'm incredibly impressed with this fabric. I also had a 50% off coupon. The seersucker lays forgotten in the fabric stash.
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| So much love for this fabric! |
On to the review!
Pattern Description: Back wrap blouse: short sleeves, kimono in front and raglan in back, triangular cut-out, twisted collar extending from front and tie ends that slip through bound buttonhole in back and knots in front.
Pattern Sizing: 18/20/22
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing it? Yes, it did.
Were the instructions easy to follow? Somewhat. I generally don't read pattern directions at all, but that's not really an option with a Vogue pattern. I followed them where I needed to and figured out the rest on my own.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? It's quite short and definitely not meant to be worn with low-rise anything, and almost all modern clothing sits below your natural waist. I'm wearing it with a skirt that sits at my natural waist and I still needed to extend the length by a few inches to reach the waist of the skirt. Be aware of that before cutting the pattern. Also, if you're a dancer, you may want to make it even longer. I found that I was constantly tugging it down whenever my partner turned me.
The little bow in front was an absolute nightmare for me, I almost gave up on it. The directions made no sense to me in spite of reading them at least a dozen times. I finally figured it out, though I'm still not quite sure how I did it. In spite of how difficult I found it, this detail is really one of my favorite things about this piece. It's a very cute little detail and I think it really gives the shirt some character.
Fabric Used: Lightweight wool
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I lengthened the bottom hem by a few inches. I'm 5'8" and I have a large bust, so I knew it was going to be short.
I didn't follow the directions (big surprise) for making the bound buttonhole in the back of the shirt and just left an opening in the side seam for the tie.
If you are using a fabric with an ugly/noticeable wrong side, you'll probably want some extra fabric to use on the ties. Because you only do a rolled hem you'll see the wrong side.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I really like the pattern and would sew it again.
Conclusion: Overall it's a very nice pattern, has a lovely vintage style, and goes together relatively quickly (for a Vogue pattern). Plus it's one of very few 30s era patterns that are commercially available, so if that's what you're looking for, this is a good bet.
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| Gazing longingly at the 1930s Model A |
PS: I haven't forgotten about taking those photos for Steampunk World's Fair. My sewing room looks like small tornado blew through it and I'm disinclined to spend hours on the fourth floor of the house in 90 degree weather cleaning it.. Best case scenario: I take the dress form downstairs and photograph it that way. I'm honestly just glad that I finally brought them back into my house after a month and a half.
Yes, really.
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