The “Irish Buds” Blouse
The Facts
Fabric: 1 yrd of green silk chiffon $16
Pattern: Lisette for Simplicity 2211
Year: 2011
Notions: Nothing but thread
Time to complete: ~6 hours (6 episodes of Star Trek)
First worn: Sunday to a lecture
Wear again? Most assuredly
Total price: $16
I have a lot of green fabrics. A lot! This silk is the most expensive fabric I have ever purchased and I still feel a little guilty about it. But it’s gorgeous and I couldn’t live without it…or its sister colorway, purple.
I’ve known for a while that I wanted to make this into the “Market” blouse, I just had to find the right time. When Tilly of Tilly and the Buttons proposed another “One Week, One Pattern” I knew the time had probably come. When Mena asked everyone if it’d be cool to switch the Pantone week with a Green week I knew it was meant to be and I got to work! And I just now realized that with the orange buds this fabric is sort-of Irish, hence the title.
I finished all the seams with French seams, including the arm holes – which is difficult, but I’d done it twice before. I skipped the arm cuff because I used the selvage edge and I thought fluttery sleeves would be a neat change. I also altered the collar band into a peter pan collar – which I’ve been wanting to do on some pattern for ages and finally decided this was the time!! The lightness of the fabric makes it look a bit fluttery, which I guess is ok but it also wrinkles like anything so it’s not as crisp as I’d like.
How darling! It’s so very sweet and cute! And I love your alterations – I think the peter pan collar is much better than the one the pattern comes with!
Thanks! I’ve made this pattern five times now so I wanted to give it a little something different.
Very cute! I really like the peter pan collar on this blouse.
I have this pattern and have been looking for ways to ” jazz” it up. Your changes to the sleeves and collar make it all new. Good work. Thanks for the inspiration. (The fabric is pretty but hard to see, next time a close up please;)
I always forget to do that! I’ll take one and add it to my blog when I repost this today.
This pattern is so easy to sew and manipulate. I’ve really liked using it.
Hey Liz, the blouse turned out beautiful and the fabric is gorgeous. I like he Peter pan collar, nice adaptation.
Gorgeous, love the print and cut. I’m a total sucker for a peter pan collar too.
Great job with the collar. Did you omit buttons altogether and it fits over the head okay? I have this pattern too and you’re giving me ideas.
Yes, the buttons and placket thing is just for decoration in this pattern. The neckline is *just* wide enough for my average-sized head and non-stretchy fabric, sometimes my ponytail will get stuck though.
I chose this pattern for Tilly and the Buttons’ “One Week, One Pattern” because I’ve done it so many times and it lends itself to being altered quite a bit.
That shade of green is unique. Darling blouse.
Really pretty, love that collar!