Saturday, February 13, 2010

Muslin of Marian Martin Blouse

So, sometime ago I posted that I had bought this lovely pattern of a 1940's blouse from etsy.

I had some lovely vintage jade green material with a paisley-like print on it that I thought would be perfect, but wanted to make a muslin of it first (I am getting so much less impatient to get to the 'good version' than I used to be :-).

So I made a version out of some quilting cotton I got from Spotlight for about $3 a metre. Here it is with a 1940's 6-gore skirt finished a while ago:


I ended up doing a few minor alterations. I increased the side seams to about 2cm instead of 1.2cm, and created a facing for the back neck edge. The pattern did not provide one - instead saying to make 'bias strips'. I made an actual shaped facing piece.

I think it turned out nicely:



This fabric was a little bit too heavy weight though I think. I have made the vintage green material version, which was a lighter weight polished cotton, and it sits so much more nicely. I trimmed the neck edge for the green one in black lace. I haven't taken pics of it yet, but will post them as soon as I do. I really really love the green one - wore it to my new job (very exhausting, serious learning curve for me) last week with black Veronika Maine trousers and felt tres chic! 

I haven't had much time to sew lately - the new job is seriously taxing - I feel like a complete zombie. My next projects though are:

Collete Pattern's Macaron in a quilting cotton and silk contrast.

Vogue 8184 in a white and black striped heavy weight stretch cotton that I am completely in love with. I got it from Tessuti's remnant table and can't wait to wear it all made up. 

13 comments:

  1. I love that muslins are wearable. I never do a real muslin, always just my op shopped bedsheets, and then golden fabric from the stash for the real thing.

    Your wardrobe must certainly be dazzling your new office peeps!

    xoxo

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  2. He he me too! I hate going to the effort of sewing something up for it not be wearable!! I just have 'best versions' of all my stuff! Or sometimes, my sister will steal the muslins - which actually makes me feel quite stoked cos someone is wearing something I made!!

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  3. It looks great! Love the collar detail.
    I had my eye on that striped remnant, lucky score ;)

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  4. Looking good! Quilting cottons have such lovely print, but sometimes the fabric is just not right for clothing... good for muslins though! I love finding a pattern that just 'works'.

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  5. So cute! I love the neck bow. Would be cute with just jeans too!

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  6. Hello Rachel - this blouse turned out so well - I love it - I think the 1930s is one of the best sources for blouse/shirt ideas. Did you include the shoulder pads? You are quite right about quilting cottons for clothes - they do not have the right drape.

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  7. Hi Maree! I'm glad you found your username! I did not do the shoulder pads. Instead I followed your tip to increase the armhole a little - but I don't think it makes too much of a difference as the kimono sleeves are not meant to be fitted. I thought about the shoulder pads but my swimmer's shoulders do not need to emphasised more in a blouse.

    Thanks everyone for your lovely comments - I'll post the green one this week - it did turn out much more nicely.

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  8. Very cute! What a great idea to do a dummy run with a cheap fabric. I can never be bothered with muslins, but I can see myself picking up on that idea. Looking forward to seeing 'the real run' and your Macaron!

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  9. It's fabulous!
    With the bow on the shoulder instead of centered it's so not a "secretary blouse" more just a really CHIC blouse!
    I made a non-wearable muslin for another assymetric 1930's Marian Martin -pattern during the holidays, it was a right mess, also without facings and about two sizes too big for me. I'm still hoping to make something of it, I do like it.
    Looking forward to pictures of the green one!

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  10. I really adore the design of this blouse--the bow is so cute! :) Can't wait to see the other version you made--it sounds gorgeous!

    ♥ Casey
    blog | elegantmusings.com

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  11. It's so darling! I love the fabric you chose as well, it's so sweet and feminine! Lovely work!

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  12. This is one beautiful blouse. Very elegant.

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