Pendrell Blouse & Beignet Skirt!

Alrighty, a completed project for the blog! This thing's been lonely for awhile with just a couple of paragraphs to its credit so I'm glad I got something up before the end of the month. Phew.

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 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?? 

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. 

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