When I was in Vermont in early September, I took along a number of sewing projects to work on. One of those was a piece of pretty voile (designed by Katarina Roccella for Art Gallery Fabric) and a blouse pattern. I haven’t used voile before and wanted to try it out. In case you aren’t familiar, voile is a lightweight cotton with a higher thread count making it softer and sort of flowy (is that a word?). It washes well and can be used for garments or quilting. Anyway, I thought I would give it a try. One thing I wanted was a blouse that didn’t have to be ironed after washing and this one doesn’t. If taken out of the dryer right away, it looks lovely.
I chose Simplicity pattern 1589 because of its simple construction. Two pattern pieces, just the front and back. It literally took about an hour and one half to make. I used French seams for the two side seams and the shoulder seams so the inside finish is very clean. The neckline and armholes are finished with blue bias tape. The pattern calls for bias cut strips of the same fabric but I am too frugal for that. Bias strips leave so much waste and I like the pop of color that shows now and then from the coordinated bias tape.
I don’t have a normal set of pictures to show you. My husband had taken some for me but most of them weren’t all that good so I decided to show you the shirt in action, so to speak. I had it on while H was here last week and my son takes about 100 pictures daily of her so the shirt is featured in a number of them!
The pattern is fun because the back is just two overlapping pieces whose center edges are cut on a diagonal. The opening goes all the way up to the neckline but when it blows open, it really only does so at the bottom because of the overlap. Does that make sense?
Tomato picking was a favorite part of H’s morning with Grammy. However she was picking them green, orange and any color between!
It is long enough to wear with leggings which I like. I did lower the front hem as much as possible. It has that hi-low hem feature that is trendy these days but I didn’t want it to be as prevalent as the pattern had called for.
You can see the diagonal cut on the back pieces here. I think it is a fun design.
Falling For You table runner
So, another blouse is done and now I have time to finish up a few other projects that are near completion. I started this table runner before the wedding and should be able to finish it up this afternoon. I am going to make H a Halloween costume so I want to get the sewing table cleaned off before I start it. The pattern is ordered but I haven’t shopped for fabric yet. She is going to be a lion and will be the cutest lion out there!
Finally, if you are in the mood for some fall colors, all of the autumn fabrics in my shop are 25% off today. Come take a look – there are some really pretty pieces and they are a great deal. Precuts, bundles and yardage are all available. Also, hop over to either Instagram or Facebook and enter to win a cute bundle of Halloween fabrics. Today is the last day of the sale and the last day to enter the giveaway! Hope you will come and join in!
Hi Bernie! Aww, that picture of H helping you picture tomatoes. How sweet is that?!! Your blouse is very fletching – it is really very flattering. ~smile~ Roseanne
Thank you Roseanne. She is such a sweet little girl. I am happy with the blouse – it was a fun and quick project. 🙂
Thank you for talking about the comfort & easy care of voile Bernie. I wear sleeveless or short sleeve tops most of the year down south here, and your new top looks perfect for me. Love your fabric choice, I’ll be purchasing voile soon.😀
Hi Laurie, I was pretty curious about using the voiles because I had just added them to the shop. It worked out great tho. They are easy to sew with and I love how comfortable they are to wear. I am looking for the next pattern already to make another shirt! Do you sew very many garments? I hadn’t for a long time but I am enjoying getting back into it. Take care.
Hi Bernie,
I love easy garment patterns that go together quickly. It’s like instant gratification. Sit down for an hour or two and poof you have a new shirt to wear. Sew Fun! Also, your granddaughter is a doll.
Definitely – the satisfaction of finishing something in a day or two feels good sometimes. I also think it is fun to wear something that I made vs something I bought. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Very pretty top.
Thank you Gale! Hope your week is going well. 🙂
What a pretty top, and perfect for those play days with H! I recognize that table runner too! Can’t wait to see the Halloween outfit.
I am having fun making the table runner. It came together so nicely. I will share it soon. Tomorrow I am shopping for the fabric for her lion costume. I am excited to get going on it. That is my plan for Saturday!!
I so enjoyed seeing the pictures of your granddaughter in the garden with you, what a beautiful child she is! You both obviously are totally enjoying your time together. I wanted to say thank you for the package I received yesterday from the September Blogger Bundle giveaway with Mari Heidt (The Academic Quilter) — what a gorgeous collection of fabrics, and those will be put to good use in making a quilt or two in my favorite autumn colors. I love the way the autumn colors are stretched a bit while still keeping everything perfectly coordinated and interesting. What gorgeous fabrics!! Thank you, both of you, so very much!!
Deb E / Oregon
You are very welcome Deb. I am happy to hear you like the bundle. Enjoy it!!
I love this pattern. Super cute shirt on you, Bernie.
You are on a roll of garment making! Can’t wait to see the finished runner!!!
I am on a roll! I finished the runner so I need to write that up. Today I went and got the cuddle fabric to start my grand daughters Halloween Lion costume – I have never sewn with any sort of cuddle or minky so wish me luck!!
It’s such an interesting pattern with the overlapping back pieces and it is beautiful in the voile. I’m glad you are getting plenty of time with H.
I have been really lucky lately and able to spend a lot of time with her. Now it will be several months until I go again. But that’s ok – there is always FaceTime!!
Lovely design, modeled perfectly. Love your little companion. You two make such a cute picture – picking tomatoes, taking a walk and generating oohs and aahs all over!!!
Thanks Preeti. Funny to think I was wearing that shirt yesterday and today it is pouring rain and thundering like mad. The weather changed over night!
A lovely blouse, Bernie, and it looks great on you. What great pictures with your granddaughter! You must have had so much fun. Love the one with the tomato plants. I think your garment sewing may have inspired me to take a chance again on making something for myself. Have a great day!