I’ve just finished a colorful new blouse!! When I make clothes for myself I like to start with a pattern and then add touches to make it my own (*see bottom).
Many years ago I got hooked on the Vogue Individualist patterns – I like their flair and they do require some skill. In this case I used the blouse from pattern # 1437 pictured here.
It has a long length, high collar and overlaid shield on the shoulder (I confess at first I thought it was a yoke).
It is pictured in white but I thought it would look better in multiple bright fabrics.
I searched my stash and grabbed a rich varigated red base color topped with strips of ‘newsprint’ and occasional blocks of chartreuse green; a popping chartreuse with white polka dot (for the shield); and a charcoal grey patterned fabric for the standup collar and other accents. Don’t they look great together??
It had the feel of a modern day eclectic, peasant style tunic so I decided to add design features, piping, buttons and trim to really make it my own:
- Red ribbon on the underside of the shield edges;
- Grey charcoal piping along all shield edges;
- I added a feature of a pleated gusset in the back (also in the polka dot);
- A GORGEOUS vintage chartreuse and white ribbon trim from my stash for the shield;
- Charcoal grey tabs at the top of the gusset
- Charcoal grey and chartreuse polka dot accents along the bottom blouse edges;
- Faux charcoal grey cuffs with chartreuse polka dot piping;
- Red and dark grey buttons decorating the shield;
- No pockets
I’m in love with the final result! It looks awesome with tight black pants and black booties or my black Jambu’s! What recent enhancements have you done to a project to make it your own??
* I was inspired years ago by the book “Make it Your Own” by Lori Bottom/Ronda Chaney which explores design changes in patterns.
Made with Stitches 