Well hello there everyone, guess who's been working a lot. Nope it's not Froggie. In fact he suddenly disappeared yesterday when I needed to hand sew two sets of shoulder pads in two dresses. I don't keep you around just for your looks Frog! You'd better get to covering a 3rd pair of pads while I finally write a blog post. On a related note working on 3 garments simultaneously can be fun....except for that part where you have to cover and sew in 3 sets of shoulder pads in two days. *And no, shoulder pads are not optional in my sewing room. No Saggy Shoulders!
I'd planned on getting my last summer garment posted in September, but pesky things like feeding my family, cleaning their clothing and sleeping took my available free time. Desmond might have licked a few classmates and brought some germs home as well. (Confession - he probably didn't lick anyone. I'm sure the germs were spread in an equally gross manner.) However Fall weather didn't show up in PA until yesterday, so I'm not feeling too bad about a semi late Summery make.
This summer I managed two navy outfits to complement the growing collection of navy hats. After finishing up the
Hollywood shirtdress it was time to get working on some separates. It was pretty egregious that the only solid colored skirts in my closet were black. (The devil on my shoulder screams "But Black Goes With Everything! So does red and pitchforks. Just go with me on that last one." OK, Ok dude, chill out. You don't have to sell me on pitchforks. They're awesome.) But sewing plain skirts is boring so I decided to make it a matching set with a bolero. Mostly because I had Hollywood 1326 in my stash already and wanted to sew it More Than Anything!
AHHHHHH! It's so cute! I even want the outfits in the color combos/patterns on the envelope. Shouldn't a pink and black polka dot silk be something you can go anywhere and buy? Why is it not? Who am I kidding, the jade/pink floral is the one I really want. Stupid past Heather for sewing up the stashed jade green cotton into a
Beignet. To be honest I did like that Beignet a lot but it will never be worn now. Oh well, you must sew for the body and style you enjoy now or your child will throw all your fabric in a dumpster after you kick the bucket. This has been your stashbusting message for the year.
So yeah I bought some navy linen to make this happen. (Stashbusting, what?) And got to work musling this one up. Turns out that cute pointy waistband is not a waistband. It is a seperate belt that buttons on the side. It also turns out that it's not so cute if your bust line is so low that the points are poking you in the underboob. One does not need their own waistband harassing them so that had to go.
It was nice to sew a slightly different skirt style than the plain 4 gore style that has been my go to. It's just as easy to put together and paired well with the medium weight linen I'd closen. The linen also sewed up great in the bolero. The little fold back collar just makes me squeal with delight! It would have been an easy sew as well if I hadn't complicated it by adding a lining. However I've never said after the fact, "Oh God, why did I put this luxurious silk lining in my garment? I wish I was starting at bare cover stitched seams instead!"
This large scale ikat print had been sitting in my stash since Desmond was an adorable toddler. I've been a little concerned that it's too bold for any garment. But you know what I'm not concerned about being bold? A lining. What's that? Oh you're saying, "Umm Heather, you appear to be wearing a top out of this fabric?" Yes, Yes I am. Well after you finish you lining and have 1.5 yards left and have recently watched all of Ms. Masel then a matching bold top seems like a fine idea. Due to yardage constraints I turned to an old pattern friend,
Simplicity 1155 of the darted neckline. Past Heather had even traced the short sleeve pattern back in 2017.
Once again you can barely see the the decorative neckline darts. One day I'll feel like torturing myself by sewing it in a solid. Until then you'll just have to enjoy the glorious button back.
One final thing, the sleeves on this are kind of odd, but odd in a way that I enjoy. The first thing that popped in my head is that they are vaguely Romulan. A google search tells me that I'm incorrect, but I think we both understand the importance of a strong shoulder.
Pssss Taris, what kind of sleeve heads/pads/scaffolding you have in that thing? I need to know.
Pattern
Hollywood 1326 - Bolero and Skirt. (Pictured Above)
Simplicity 1155 - Button back blouse.
Fabrics used
Linen from Sawyer Brook for the main part of the bolero and skirt. Stashed Silk crepe de chine for the bolero lining and blouse.
Pattern changes/alterations
1. Standard 1/2" forward shoulder adjustment to the shoulder and sleeve cap
2. Added 1/2" extra ease to the hip of skirt. - This style seemed a bit narrow in that location.
Confessions/Advice
I don't remember much of anything because this was finished about 3 months ago. That means I didn't do anything real stupid or stab myself.
Husband Comment
"Ooooo, I like that the lining is the same as the shirt. What is that paisley? Seems Eastery."
Bonus Son comment - "In case you don't know, that brooch is a pear."
My Final Thoughts
This is the button back blouse that launched a bevy of button back blouses in my sewing room so brace yourselves for that. I'm also pro bolero now. Next summer I'll probably revert back to type and sew a black one cause Black Goes With Everything! *Cue devilish cackle.*
*I've been in 40's clothing land so long that double shoulder pads is starting to look good.
