Maria Denmark Edith Top - You'll be Retro Fabulous.

8.12.2013

Hello fellow sewcialists, some of you know I've been drooling over the Maria Denmark Edith blouse since first seeing the prototype garment. It pretty much has everything I like in a summertime button down blouse.
Kimono sleeve...check, collar...check, darts galore...check.  Can I make this up in that narrow vintage cotton I have in the stash, YES I CAN!

So I dropped everything and whipped one up just in time for a trip to the in-laws.  One must put decorative landscaping/fences to good use after all.  Thankfully they don't ask questions when I break out the tripod.
This was the first pattern I used since Maria redesigned the formatting for her PDF downloads and I loved the change.  Every page had a nice red dotted line where the pieces should overlap.  It was easy peasy putting the whole thing together.

Now on to the proper review....
Pattern
The new Edith top/dress from Maria Denmark.  I used a combination of size 42/44.

Fabrics used
Some vintage cotton snagged on Etsy.  This was probably quilting cotton but I liked the cherry gingham print and decided to purchase it for a top.  (Shop is Leona's Old Linens, if you're interested.)

Pattern changes/alterations
1. My usual 1" drop and diagonal tilt of the bust dart.  I've found through past trial and error that this placement works best for me.
2. Dropped the top point of the front fish eye dart 3".
3. Increased the dart intake of the back fish eye dart 1/4".
4. The collar felt a little tight and the bottom of the armholes were digging into my underarms. It fix this I took 1/2" off the shoulder seam at the outer edge and graded it into nothing at the collar side.  Then I dropped the bottom of the armhole 1/2".  This took care of both my fitting problems and put the blouse waist at my natural waist.
5. Normal 1/2" forward shoulder adjustment.
6. Added 1/4" more ease to the hips.
7. Slightly curved the hem at the side seam on both the front and the back.

Confessions/Advice
1.  I used a bias band finish for the armholes.  It was a bit tricky since kimono sleeves have a tighter curve at the bottom than a normal sleeveless blouse. I'm still pretty pleased with the finish.
2. Next time I'd make the front facing slightly wider so I don't feel like it wants to flip out.
3. I never do sway back adjustments on blouses with back fish eye darts but it's probably something I should do.
4. There is no button placement on the pattern so what I did was to put on the shirt and decide where the bust level button should go. Then divide the space evenly for 5 buttons.  On my shirt the top button is 14" from the hem and the rest are spaced 2 1/4" apart.
5. My version has a shirt tail hem in the contrasting hot pink top-stitching....which I seem to have forgotten to take a photo of.

Husband Comment
"You did a really good job on the hems. What are these, cherries?"   I did unpick and redo that hem, so husband points for noticing.

My Final Thoughts
I feel all Bettie Draper put together when wearing Edith with some Colette Clovers.  Now I just need to work on my Nordic bitch stare while sucking on some menthols. "No one likes a liar Sally, now make me a drink."
In closing I think this is a great little pattern and would recommend it to anyone comfortable with making buttonholes.  So make yourself one and find a fence to pose in front of....maybe your husband will photobomb you too.

20 comments:

  1. I love it! I actually think the slight blousiness in back is in keeping with the over all casual 40s vibe. Don't change a thing!
    And Steve gets cute points for the photobomb. :)

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  2. Gah! I love this. I somehow missed this pattern so I'm glad you drew my attention to it. It's beautiful. Everytime time I vow to stop buying patterns I see another one that I just 'have' real to have.

    Love your fabric. And hey, your list of alterations are almost identical to the ones I normally make so that was really interesting to me too.

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  3. Awesome photo bomb! Sounds like your husband is very supportive of your adventures in sewing! Gotta love that! Great blouse..I think it's perfect in the vintage print.

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  4. Teddy Bear, your blouse came out so great! Not that I thought it would've ever not come out great. Am I even saying anything at all here? Where are my menthols, kids? Steve gets mega points for noticing your hem and for the photobomb! He might need to do this more often. Okay, now let me think of something inappropriate to say... I'll get back to you. Darn Disqus, I wanna post anonymous crazy stuff!

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  5. This is super great and I really like this pattern. I've got to quit reading your blog. You always make me realize I "need" more stuff... :)

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  6. This is a great top! I love the photobomb.

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  7. Great summer blouse! Really flattering fit! And the retro cherries are very cute!

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  8. Looking nIce. This has a great fit on you.
    Omg, husband photobomb, this should happen more

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  9. Excellent. I feel completely vindicated over my laziness of not doing a sway back adjustment. Thanks Katie!

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  10. Thanks! Patterns are like potato chips, you always need one more. At least that's "All the patterns" Heather's motto. :)


    Ooooo we are alterations twins! That could come in handy in the future. (Evil finger tents) /\

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  11. Haa haaa, thanks Margo. He amused me with that photobomb but I think he just likes peering over fences.

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  12. LOL! No you have to say, "Where is my pencil cigarette kids?" Don't smoke but do carry pencil cigarettes. :)

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  13. Sorry man, I am a bad enabler. We can still be friends though, right? ;)

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  14. Thanks Laura, we'll have to get my other half to photobomb again.

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  15. Thanks Wendy, I do a search for cherry fabric on Etsy and scored this baby.

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  16. Thanks Trice, I'll let the hubs know his presences has been requested. :)

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  17. Hey as long as my fabric budget holds out we can be BFFs! :D

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  18. Such a cute and casual top! I love the buttons with the print!


    I think it looks great - don't feel the need to overfitting everything. I don't mind the back at all!


    lol - husband photobomb!

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  19. Hooray, I'm glad you like it Brook. I was just thinking about how I skipped a normal alteration and usually that's not a good idea. If you say it's fine I won't worry. :)

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  20. I'm posting secret stash this week. You might officially hate me. ;)

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