Wednesday 5 September 2012

McCall's M5522 another work blouse

The work experience mini wardrobe continues. Today's outfit is completely made by me, but I will focus on the attention drawing blouse for this post, as I have not quite recovered from  finishing the hem on the skirt  to a deadline.

SAM_1037

I bought this pattern after it was one of the 2009  top 10 patterns at pattern review, and have made it twice, once for myself, and once for my older daughter.
My younger daughter has long coveted her sister's version, but alas, they are differently shaped and cannot wear the same blouses.

Having previous experience with this pattern, I felt that it runs large, and started with a size 6, which is a size smaller than my daughter's high bust measurement would suggest, should I believe the pattern envelope, something I have learnt not to do.
I made version B, without the collar.
 The fabric is a cotton shirting, which I think came from Michael's Fabrics, but cannot remember exactly due to the extent and age of my cotton shirting fabric collection. I am not even slightly embarrassed about this. Wardrobe sewing requires stash in my opinion.

The pattern has multiple cup sizes, which is my favourite big4 pattern trend. I used the appropriate cup size piece, and made a square shoulder adjustment and shortened the blouse above the bust/mid scapula region by 2cm. I added fabric width at the back hem line, tapering to the waist, to allow a looser, almost peplum-ish fit to suit the current peplum trend and to make the blouse more comfortable.
The sleeves have a more narrow cuff than the pattern, and I made a triple layer button band from the cotton shirting rather than using interfacing here. The collar stand is interfaced with super crisp  fusible shirting interfacing from Fashion sewing supplies.

SAM_1032 SAM_1035
The photographs were taken during my daughter's lunch break ( and mine, it is very nice to have a work day lunch with my daughter) and she told me that the ladies in the office complimented her on her pretty blouse this morning, so possibly we have not quite hit the work wear goal, but at least she looks well dressed! SAM_1033

20 comments:

SewRuthie said...

Really lovely blouse! Its going to be a fantastic mini wardrobe.

Sue said...

I love that pattern too - your daughter looks lovely and very work ready!

Janine said...

Another fetching age appropriate work garment - the puffed sleeves , frill and peplum look suit her and it is so wonderfully fitted.

Janine said...

I agree too about the stash - it is really hard to get good cotton shirtings.

Carol said...

The blouse is gorgeous and your daughter is so pretty. She is going to break some hearts.

velosews said...

I agree with the stash comment. This is real classic style. She looks very work appropriate.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous blouse! She looks like Sigrid Thornton in Man from Snowy River. :-)

Karin said...

This looks pretty on your daughter! It's got a teeny hint of steampunk, to my eye which makes it edgy despite the feminine ruffles.

shams said...

She looks adorable! It does have a Victorian aesthetic.

pdiddly said...

the whole outfit looks lovely and I would wear that for work - lucky daughter that you are running these up for her so quickly.

Mary Nanna said...

Fantastic ! - the nod to work wear with the shirting but the feminine flirty edge with ruffles and gathering.

Mary Nanna said...

Fantastic ! - the nod to work wear with the shirting but the feminine flirty edge with ruffles and gathering.

fabric epiphanies said...

Wow, an office junior, I remember those days. I was nearly 17 the same age as my daughter and I can't imagine her working full time!

fabric epiphanies said...

Forgot to mention. I love the blouse. Your daughter is lucky, I had to make my own work attire, not that I really minded!

Sharon said...

Beautiful blouse for daughter and very work appropriate. Agree a stash is essential.

Gail said...

Eek - my daughter starts work experience in architecture in a few weeks and I haven't even considered what she'll wear. A hard hat? Your daughter's blouse is lovely and she looks so smart.

Allison said...

Another beautiful blouse! Your daughter looks very work-ready. I'm a lawyer and I think looks just great in her new outfits. You are really sewing up a storm!

Uta said...

Lovely blouse; your daughter looks very "Downton Abbey" in it! (As we've learnt from that series ladies in ruffles can argue down even the smartest lawyer.)

Mary said...

Really well put together outfit! The businesslike skirt is offset by the ruffles and poufy sleeves. Nice!

Anonymous said...

This has such a feminine shape while still being crisp and professional- I love it.