Oh hello – I’ve seen that fabric somewhere before haven’t I?
But it’s looking a little bit different this time around!
Stats:
Pattern: Datura Blouse from Deer& Doe, size 34.
Fabric: “Vintage” floral brushed cotton, salvaged from my unfortunate 70’s smock; plus about 30cm of orange and white striped seersucker.
Other: 3 orange buttons (ebay) and orange bias binding (ebay)
Process:
One glance at the front bodice piece and I knew I would have to narrow the darts: they were built for a busty gal, and that’s not me! Remembering the adjustments I made to my second Darling Ranges dress, I chose to make the smallest size and halved the spread of the bust darts.
If you do this, you have to remember it changes the length of the front piece and the back has to be cut to match. No, of course I didn’t remember…but I will next time!
I really like the way the collar is made, even though it took up all the fabric from the sleeves of the first blouse.
Yeah…it’s a bit of a fabric-guzzler for a sleeveless top.
That upper bodice is fully lined, back and front.
So even though my floral fabric was heavier than the seersucker, by the time I lined the upper part, they were fairly evenly balanced. You need to think about that when you are choosing your materials.
I love the attention to detail in the way it is put together. It makes for a very neat finish, inside and out.
It is graded “Advanced” and I think that is fair. It’s not enormously difficult, if you know what you are doing, but does assume a certain level of experience. A beginner would definitely require a few more diagrams to make sense of the instructions, particularly around the shoulders.
The bias binding at the hem should have been home-made, but I didn’t have enough fabric, so used shop-bought.
Verdict?
Apologies for blinding you with my day-glo-white arms! They haven’t seen the light of day for a year, if not two.
And that, right there, is my biggest issue with this blouse. It fits me really well. There is no gape-age across the front chest. It is nice and neat under the arms with no embarrassing bra-flash back or front. It is a really cute style.
But…
When is it ever going to be warm enough in Aberdeenshire for me to wear a sleeveless top?!
I think the only thing I can do is to make / buy a metric tonne of cardigan-age. Because I want more of these tops in my life.
This was intended as a wearable muslin, and wear it I will!
I have some beautiful taupe silk/cotton mix and a fine printed voile, both of which are crying out to become Datura blouses, yardage permitting… so watch this space!