Lovely Linen

I love linen.  Sometimes I worry that I'll turn in to that crazy old art teacher that wears nothing but rumply linen shirts, capris and birkenstocks (with socks).  

I may not be too far off from that.

I also don't feel the need to iron linen completely.  You have to just embrace the wrinkles.  I know it bothers some folks, but not me.

This blouse was actually made up as a muslin.  Albeit a wearable muslin, but still.  It was practice to check the fit on Simplicity 2601.  I have had this blouse on my to do list for ages.  I've seen some really fantastic versions.  And anything with a nipped in waist like this is more flattering for my shape.  At least I think it is.

All those cool "design" details in my version?  They were out of necessity.  I used the last little bit of gorgeous linen I used to make this baby robe.  I didn't have enough to cut the bindings and facings so I used a loosely woven linen in a similar color.  The loosely woven stuff was so wiggly I couldn't get my bindings to turn under well.  I had to run a second row of stitching to hold the bindings in place a little farther in.   I kind of like the way the double zig zag looks.   I'll just pretend I meant to do that.

 

I also couldn't make those dang loops out of that same wiggly linen.  I ended up using a bit of pink floral quilting cotton to make the loops.  I like the little bit print there.  Again--  I meant to do that.  I picked the neon pink buttons after I did the loops.  I added one more button at the bottom to keep from showing belly.

It ended up a tiny bit big.  I cut my normal size because I knew I needed it through the shoulders.  I did a square shoulder adjustment, though I do it highly nontechnical-like.  It was pretty shapeless when I first sewed it up.  There wasn't a big difference between the midriff and the rest of the blouse like the line drawings indicate.  I ended up taking in the midriff piece at least a 3/4" on each side.  Then I tapered the top and bottom pieces to match.  I think the shoulder and top pieces are a bit wide still, but hey- it's a casual linen top.  It will be perfect for those sweltering summer days.

 

I really like this pattern.  I love the shape of the blouse.  I love the loops and buttons on the front.  I love all the collar and sleeve variations.  I can see it becoming a staple with a little more tweaking.

 

Have a great week!