The “Carmen Miranda” Blouse
The Facts
⁃ Fabric: 1.5 meter red cotton, half meter of cotton from the Alexander Henry “folklorico” collection
⁃ Pattern: JJ Blouse, BurdaStyle
⁃ Year: 2010
⁃ Notions: 4 buttons, small amount of interfacing
⁃ Time to complete: ~4 days
⁃ First worn: this week
⁃ Wear again? yes!
⁃Total price: less than 5 EUR for the cotton, and about $5 for the cotton. So, the total price is somewhere around $12 or $13 depending on the value of currency.
BurdaStyle released this free pattern a few years ago, and it’s been on my “to do” list for a while. Empowered by cheap cotton I purchased at an open air market, I felt it was time to tackle it. Upon reading the instructions, I realized quickly why not so many people had completed it. The translation of the instructions is pretty difficult to decipher. So, I took a lot of photos and will post a tutorial on this pattern this week on my blog.
In the meantime, here’s my Carmen Miranda blouse (named for it’s festiveness) for the Valentine’s Day Red Challenge! At first, I just attached just one ruffle on each side. After trying it on with just two ruffles, I found it a bit plain, so I attached two more. The resulting blouse is a really festive blouse that I’m sure I’ll wear often. I finished most seams as flat-felled seams which left such a lovely finish! The inside is just as pretty as the outside… almost.
A note on the sleeve cuffs, though. If you have thick upper arms as I do, be sure to test the cuff around your arms before finishing.
Once I deciphered the instructions, the project was a whole lot of fun!
Oh, what fun. I love all the ruffles, look forward to trying this pattern in the future.
Cute! It’s so fun and colorful, just what we need to get through February.
I love the colours, it’s such a happy blouse. The red really suits you. I’ll keep an eye out for your hints on making this pattern because it looks a fun one to try.
I love all of the colors! It’s such a fun, vibrant piece!
Ruffle idea is great – as are the toning buttons!
Very Carmen, it will brighten up any day :)
Oh what fun! There are so many great possibilities for this pattern. Love it!
I really like the ruffle detail. Did you piece different colors together or was the fabric already like that? It looks so cute on you.
so bright and cheery – adding the multicolours is a great detailing (and the tip about the cuffs is very handy – the bane of my life!)
So sassy! I absolutely adore this!
Cuteness. Makes me think of recess.
So fun! I love the JJ, and plan on making more (though my first is sans ruffles).
Lots of fun I’m guessing Carmen Miranda would wear this in a heart beat.