Work Blouse – with alterations

Style Arc – Katherine Blouse – with alterations, in Japanese Lawn, white with grey/blue paisley print.

Well i finally got around to finishing this top. I made the wearable muslin for this one last year, and have worn it a couple of times, but this is the intended fabric. Its a lovely piece of japanese lawn that I purchased online, thicker than it seems, with the paisley pattern being a mix of dusty blue and grey. Naomi was heartily unimpressed that I wasn’t making this fabric into something for her.  I really love the softness of the fabric, and of the print.  The fashion at the moment is for bold patterns and fabric, so it was nice to score some subtlety.  It is unfortunate that this fabric has a lot of carbon miles ….. I bought it from Japan.

I made a couple of changes to the design; the placket is pretend as I can’t see the point of buttonholes when the neck is bigger than my head (haven’t found the perfect buttons yet), I left off the bow, and I didn’t bother with the slit doing a simple sleeve cuff instead. But the biggest change you will notice is the squared off hem. The shirt tail hem is lovely, but its designed for a top that will tuck in. Since I don’t wear those sorts of tops, I decided to alter the design. I did shape the front and back slightly, gave myself some more tummy room, and put a split at each side seam.   I took a lot of time with the finish with this one, as I want these pieces to be useful and appropriate for work.   More and more, I want my work wardrobe to reflect me, rather than the bland, and baggy silhouette that RTW clothing would present.

So here is the finished top ……

Close up of the neckline

Close up of the cuff and split

And on me  …… its so satisfying when things you make fit and fit well.

I don’t think I will making a lot more summer items from now on.  Surgery followed by recovery, mean that I will be home for most of Term 1, negating the need for work wear for the rest of this term.  Next on the books is a couple of a-line skirts …. just waiting for the pattern to arrive.