>Blouses!

>Well, unfortunately this weekend I’ve caught a cold- like apparently most of the rest of the nation.  It has, however, given me sporatic spurts of sewing simple things or finishing up things.
I have made several blouses to round out my 30s wardrobe.  I love seperates and the sporty look.  Even though I might technically be too old for “collegiate style” I still love it and I don’t care!
This one I made when I was feeling the most poorly- and you can tell.  My husband said “honey, you shouldn’t sew when you’re sick”.  Apparently that’s what I tend to -do- when I feel crappy., thinking of other colds I’ve had last year.  Sewing is nurturing to me, somehow- even if it’s sitting and hand stitching, and unless I’m down and out dying- I’ll probably be taking spurts of sitting on the couch with my kitty and watching movies and going back to the machine.  Then when I feel crappy again I’ll repeat. Ha.  Does anyone else do this or am I just crazy? I  HATE sitting still with nothing to do.  I’m either sketching or knitting or counting old pattern pieces or hand stitching or quilting, or zoning out and sketching costumes in old movies that are playing, but I rarely just SIT.
Here’s the pattern for the first and second blouse, since I’ve gotten so many questions on it!

This one was a recent pattern find on Ebay, and I made it up in an off white silk for a dressier look under suits and the linen for a more sporty look.  It was supposed to be Simple-to Make- and it kind of was- but probably not for modern sewers.  This pattern is probably from around 1935.

I think Paisley’s one of those prints you either love or hate.  Kind of like Polka Dots.  I love paisley- as long as the print’s not 70s looking.  This one is a vintage rayon print, and it kind of reminds me of the print of one of Ilsa’s blouses in Casablanca.  Unfortunately I didn’t have enough to make that one up- just enough to squeak this one out.  This is from a vintage pattern from 1940.

I had this in my brain as the perfect “adventure blouse” for years.  Unfortunately the reality of it doesn’t make me really think as much of it as I had hoped.  The pockets are just too big.  Oh well, at least it’s a good wardrobe basic that I can wear in summer.  It’s a cotton/linen blend and semi-sheer so will be nice and cool for summer months or under suits.  This pattern’s probably from 1934-35
I guess that’s all to report here.  Hope everyone has a lovely Halloween!

11 Comments on >Blouses!

  1. reilly
    October 31, 2009 at 12:06 am (15 years ago)

    >It stinks that you're feeling under the weather, but I love everything you've been able to make! Especially the second blouse. :)Ihave trouble sitting still as well! I always need to be doing something with my hands or my mind will wander (or I'll physically get up and wander!)Get well soon!

  2. AlohaAroha
    October 31, 2009 at 2:32 am (15 years ago)

    >Feel better soon – the cold is going around the world, everyone here in NZ has it too. I've just got over it.I love your blouses – especially the paisley one! I love paisley – I teach a whole uni course on it! :-P

  3. Twila Jean
    October 31, 2009 at 4:21 am (15 years ago)

    >I caught the cold too, then it turned out to be swine flu.. ugh. I am glad you were productive.. I slept for days.Hope you feel better soon!

  4. Sonia
    October 31, 2009 at 1:50 pm (15 years ago)

    >I've been so sick, too. Hopefully it's not the flu… :{ . BTW, I LOVE the top blouse. It's so creamy and dreamy looking. Do you mind if I link you on my new blog? :}

  5. Wearing History
    October 31, 2009 at 4:38 pm (15 years ago)

    >Thanks, gals!AlohaAroha, that's so neat that you teach a class all on paisley! That's a class I'd love to take :)Twila Jean, Oh my gosh- I hope you're ok now! You're the first person I've known who's gotten swine flu. Feel a lot better!Sonia, thanks so much! I'm flattered you want to link me from your blog :) Thanks!

  6. Darla: Retro Ways
    November 2, 2009 at 7:26 pm (15 years ago)

    >Gosh these are wonderful. I hope you feel better soon, drink lots of tea and eat lots of oranges!Your sewing skills are beyond amazing even when under the weather. The top blouse is my favorite, so glamorous. That last top is also quite dreamy it is the perfect adventure blouse, I could totally see it with khaki or army green bottoms. Just lovely!Take care and feel better!♥ Darla

  7. aurelia.donka
    November 2, 2009 at 10:50 pm (15 years ago)

    >The first pattern is super cute! I think the details get kinda lost in the silk, maybe not in person and it will be great under a suit. I would wear the sporty look today.Would you be so kind as to put up the pattern numbers?

  8. casey
    November 3, 2009 at 12:48 pm (15 years ago)

    >These are all so pretty! I really love the paisley blouse (though like you, I generally am cautious around paisley patterns that even hint at the 70s!). I'm the same way–rarely do I just sit still. My husband can't understand how even when I'm sick/tired, I'm doing something (knitting, searching online for sewing ideas/supplies, reading, sewing…)! ;) ♥ Caseyelegantmusings.com

  9. jano
    February 24, 2010 at 6:47 am (15 years ago)

    >I know it's a few months since you posted these but I LOVE the white blouse- would you be so kind as to put the maker and pattern number up so I could find it.

  10. Wearing History
    February 24, 2010 at 8:08 pm (15 years ago)

    >I just added a picture of the pattern to the post :) It's Butterick 5710

  11. jano
    February 25, 2010 at 12:52 am (15 years ago)

    >Hi again,I like the first one but actually meant the adventure blouse- I like the big pockets!

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