bias-cut blouse

bias-cut blouse: "

This is a bias cut blouse I sewed and is a new favorite pattern of mine. It's based on an existing blouse I have which has no darts and is only 3 pieces, one front and 2 back, all cut on the bias. Oh, there is a collar as well, so 4 pieces. And I added a bow, so 5 pieces. But still.

I sewed it up, after drafting the pattern and fussing with it a bit, in a navy rayon and it was perfect—but was a horrible candidate for photographing. All the details were lost and it just looked black, so I am showing this spring-like one instead, although I wear the navy one at least once a week. I changed the direction of the stripes on the collar and on the bow because I really nerd out on these kind of details. The removable bow can be worn on the side or front. For a closure, I used a vintage button and a loop. This is a silk, but it's not slinky, it's brushed, so you would mistake it for rayon. I got it at Mill Ends.

How much do I love my fake bangs?! Really, they are ridiclous and I need 3 more sets— for different lengths, you know. The girls love wearing them, too. They have always loved the man wigs we have (from Carlos Santata and Magnum PI costumes) and the craziness and screaming that happens when the kittens run off with them should be recorded.

Regarding stripes, bows, and blouses:

• Gertie's amazing striped dress!

• Super cute fabric bow tutorials at Colette Patterns Blog, by Caitlin

• Melissa's lovely blouse

As I post this, I am reading about the earthquake in Japan and reeling. So happy to hear from a few friends that they are okay and feeling so sad about all the loss and pain there right now.

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