This week's Sew Weekly theme had me in a sheer panic. The theme was 'patternless'....eep! If you've been following my blog for awhile, you'll know that I am a total vintage pattern geek. I
This week I decided the fabric needed to guide me. What better inspiration could I have for this week than the very Ms. Mena herself? Or lore specifically a small piece of fabric that I picked up with Mena when I was in San Fransisco. In fact, I passed over the fabric originally. Mena has eagle eyes when it comes to spotting good deals and AMAZING fabric. She brought this lovely flowered blue fabric over to me and said 'I bet there's enough to make a blouse' out of this! BINGO. And so I have.
What I am about to describe to you is me breaking ALL the sewing rules. I didn't drape anything on a mannequin that I carefully measured. I didn't draw out a paper pattern with a funky shaped clear ruler (btw. I totally don't know how to use those things!). Yours truly held the fabric up to herself and stuck some pins in it, took measurements and just cut the fabric out. I know, I know. I can hear you gasping. I then proceeded to add two bust darts and pin fit the top together.
I topped it off with matching bias binding on the sleeves and neck.
Now don't get me wrong. I do want to learn proper draping and would love to draft up some really neat designs--however, it was not this week. I think for something any more in-depth I would need a lot more time! I am pleased with my simple shell blouse and I know I'll get lots of wear out of it as it goes perfectly with my 1941 high waisted trousers.
I must say that this whole experience has given me a new found respect for folks like Sarai and Tasia who make their own patterns! What about you? Pattern first or fabric first? Do you like to create your own designs or are you a pattern lover like me?
