Pendrell Blouse & Beignet Skirt!
The Beignet skirt from Colette Patterns was made last year when I was still in L.A. enjoying that mild winter. I used cotton canvas for the shell and a green voile for the lining, and with all the concentration in the world made 11 buttonholes for those brown buttons. I was very proud of my Janome, it worked through those with no problem! I love the color and feel of the skirt. Colette patterns are designed with very little ease so it's a good idea to go up a size if you're between sizes.
And now for the newest garment in my handmade wardrobe - the Pendrell blouse from Sewaholic Patterns! I just happened to find Tasia's blog last fall and am very glad I did. She has excellent tutorials and such a great, feminine style. This is her very first pattern; she designs for pear-shaped women (which I'm not), so I just brought in the hips of my size and voila! Tasia is hosting a sew-along if you're interested in making this blouse and need a little guidance.
The blouse is meant to be semi-fitted and tucked in. I went with View B since I don't have anything with ruffles and wouldn't have thought about them otherwise. I figured I'd give them a go, even though my shoulders and hips are about the same width and I wasn't sure if they would look good on me. Sewing's all about trying new things and if they don't work out, we move on, right? :)
I'm participating in Sunni's (The Cupcake Goddess) Trouser Sew-Along and I know this blouse will work well with those! I'm even scheming for another Pendrell, view C sleeveless, and adding lace to the sleeveless arm opening. I have a (now old!) blouse from B. Moss that looks similar and I think it would look nice with the wide leg trousers I'm making.
P.S. Larger images also on Flickr.
The blouse is meant to be semi-fitted and tucked in. I went with View B since I don't have anything with ruffles and wouldn't have thought about them otherwise. I figured I'd give them a go, even though my shoulders and hips are about the same width and I wasn't sure if they would look good on me. Sewing's all about trying new things and if they don't work out, we move on, right? :)
I used a silk/cotton blend that was listed as "silk/rayon" in the store. It didn't feel as slippery as silk/rayon, but I trusted the fabric store over my own judgment and only happened to confirm my suspicion when I later saw the fabric on Gorgeous Fabrics, listed as silk/cotton. So, long story short, I'm not sure the ruffles are draping as much as I'd like them to, and as the pattern calls for, but I still think they work. The ruffles and sleeves were fun to gather, and the fabric feels great. I accidentally pre-washed it with too much softener, which made the fabric smell like fresh laundry every time I pressed it (might have to do that more often, mmm!). The only thing that threw me for a loop was the neck binding -- it said to cut 2 of those, but I only used 1 in the end and it worked out fine. But, I'm wondering, did I miss something??
P.S. Larger images also on Flickr.
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