Progress has been made on my BWOF project for January, but alas it's not quite complete. Actually, this seemingly simple blouse turned into a total mindbender puzzle for me. There is a pattern piece for a front band, of which you are supposed to cut two. That's normal, like most button-up shirts. Then there is a similar pattern piece that's shorter, labeled "right buttonhole band". What? And it has no numbers for matching like the patterns pieces usually do.
I'll spare you all of the silly ideas I had for this "right buttonhole band". Eventually, I took a close look at Berry's version of this blouse, and realized that there is a hidden button placket at the bottom of the front band. Thank you Berry, you saved my day! In retrospect, it seems so obvious...
The bottom half of the front band has a hidden button placket. In the picture above, I show the "right buttonhole band" inserted under the facing of the right front band. You topstitch the front band to secure it. Then you fold it over and tack the top and bottom behind the front band (not shown).
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In other news, I planning to participate in Pattern Review's Wardrobe Contest. To date, the most I have coordinated in my projects is one top and one bottom, so it will be interesting to see if I can stick with it! It's been fun, and even challenging, to develop a theme, colors, etc. This is what needs to be included this year:
- 4 tops
- 4 bottoms (all tops must coordinate with all bottoms)
- 1 dress or 1 jacket
- 1 accessory (bag, scarf, etc)
To develop my plan, I taped pictures of potential patterns to index cards. I also taped a swatch or a photo of the fabric I'm considering. This made it easy to mix and match tops and bottoms and get an idea for what they might look like together. I've also been taking these cards to some fabric stores to find candidates for coordinating fabric. When I have a proper storyboard put together, I'll post that of course.
8 comments:
I'm happy you were able to figure it out and I can't with the see your SWAP, I know it will be interesting
hi Christina,i think it would sit much better without the hidden placket at the bottom. normal button placket(single) and buttons all the way would look great too. Especially in that gorgeous fabric you choice...
You're welcome. It also took me some time to figure it out ;o). Next time as Colette suggests,I'll remove that part. Oh I like your fabric choice.
The challenge is great. I like the way you organize your plan, very pro ;o)
Thanks for the idea Colette. I did consider doing that, but then once I figured out the hidden button band, I thought I might as well use it. Now I'm on the fence again! Hmmm...
That's the great thing about sewing, you learn something new everytime. Even when things don't quite work out...it's never wasted.Like all things, you learn from experience!
Perhaps try it out in Berry's lovely version ( of 2 fabrics )- I'd love to see what you would do with that.....then again I can't wait to see the origami coat too....no pressure!!!!
Gosh, don't you just hate it when you just can't wrap your mind around what the directions say? I'm so glad you figured it out and can't wait to see your blouse all finihsed!
I'm in the planning stages of the PR SWAP too and hope I can pull it off. I have tons of ideas and am trying to nail down what would be a good wearable wardrobe for me since I don't work outside the home. I have so many ideas, it just overwhelms me and I don't know where to begin. I started to participate last year, but I didn't really plan and that didn't end up working well for me. Oh well, life and learn.
Your shirt looks great. I want to make more shirts. The wardrobe challenge is such a good idea. It might be too much of a commitment for me though. I look forward to seeing yours.
Oh, index cards is a GREAT idea. I may have to steal it for my SWAP planning. I'll take note on what you said about that pattern. That's the one I want to make, too!
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