Bright, bold floral prints are not familiar territory for me. Still, when I pulled this cotton print off the stash shelves, it didn't occur to me that it would be visible from space. I think the cold and the grey are taking a toll. And/or I need some better lighting in my hobbit hole. 
My Grace cardigan tames things a bit. I still feel a little like the co-chair of a garden committee, but the sweater helps. Self-consciousness aside, this shirt served its purpose in being a wearable muslin for the Archer blouse pattern by Grainline Studio. 
If you knit, but don't sew, think of a muslin as swatching, however, you sew the whole garment together rather than making a gauge square. The whole thing seems a bit preposterous. Could you imagine knitting a whole sweater before casting-on with your 'real' yarn? Except, it's not. Because, with sewing, once you cut you're stuck. There's no RIP and re-knit option; if you need to tweak a pattern, it's good to know that in advance, you know, to avoid tears. 
In my case, I was just as eager to practice assembling this blouse as I was to check the fit. I've been promising myself that I would sew a stack of Archers since the day the pattern was released. It's the quintessential basic button-up blouse. My closet could use a dozen. I geared-up to sew it several times, but I held myself back. I was too afraid of failing to even try. Of course, now I feel silly for being intimidated. Talk about making mountains out of molehills. Jen's instructions for this pattern make sewing this blouse a completely manageable task. 
I'm really pleased with the construction of my finished blouse. The inside is done in French seams and my topstitching is even throughout. I did make one dopey mistake; I folded my box pleat to the wrong side. It's difficult for me to see it as I sit here staring at the photo. I assure you, I fudged-it-up. I have a strong feeling this blouse will always be worn under a sweater, so I'm not overly concerned. Now, I know better for next time! And, the time after that, etc... 
All things considered, this is a milestone project for me. I truly feel that I've crossed over into intermediate territory for the first time. Which projects took you to the next level? Which ones are holding you back?
19 Comments
I love the bold and vibrant colors in this, especially how you've paired it with black! It may not be your usual territory, but it looks great on you. What a nice shot of color in this dreary weather. :) 1/6/2015 04:51:18 am
Michelle! You are a bright ray of sunshine on a bleak winter's day! Okay, you know me well enough to know that I love this tulip-y springtime print! Kinda my thing, yes? You do look gorgeous! Having said that, I get the feeling that you don't feel quite yourself wearing this much bright colour. In the photo sans sweater, the shirt is really the standout, but in the photos where you have your sweater on, I see you looking beautiful and wearing a lovely outfit. I agree that the softer shades better suit your personal movement. {I took an energy profiling course that's really helped me to better understand colour and fabrication...still get it wrong lots, but....:)}
This definitely doesn't look like a muslin! I love the bright colours myself, but that's the way I roll... Anyway, it's fab and hopefully you get the wardrobe of Archers you clearly deserve :)
Woah, I'm so not used to seeing you in something so busy. The cardigan does help tame it down, but it's perfect as a wearable muslin. I like how you've tempered your bright colors with the black cardigan! A similar project made me feel like I'd leveled up - the Grainline Alder. I'd made a button-down shirt before, but it didn't have a proper button placket or collar stand. I was so excited that I was able to sew those things! Isn't it so satisfying? My recent blazer would make me feel like I'd leveled up if I hadn't made so many mistakes. It was a wearable muslin, though, so maybe when I make the real one I'll feel accomplished! 1/6/2015 09:14:28 am
Dear Bob, you CAN see that from space! But it works and that's all that matters :)
Wow, definitely bright, but way to go! I have been scared of shirts, but I kinda wish I'd done it your way, instead of making a bunch of muslins. I got confused because I'd altered the pattern so much I mucked up the collar, and having never sewn one, took ages to figure it out, lol! Agh, my over-thinking is what does me in.
Hey hey! I love, love, love the totally loud pattern and colours, right up my street! I've just finished sewing my first blouse for years and it's taken me a lot longer to finish than any other things I've sewn recently. There's just so much work in sewing collars, sleeve plackets, cuffs...it's lovely though. Must blog it soon. 1/6/2015 09:22:14 pm
A vibrant shirt is exactly what this dreary, cold weather calls for...love your version of Archer! And yes, I totally agree that Jen's instructions are top notch. I've made one version only and a second version is already on my cutting table...I'm dying to try the ruffled back! I think what will make me feel more accomplished as a stitcher is to tackle a coat or a lined jacket...something 'tailored'! 1/6/2015 10:23:36 pm
I'm not one for bright floral print blouses, but I LOVE this outfit! LOVE IT! well done! 1/6/2015 11:46:40 pm
I love how your Archer contrasts with the snowy background. It just looks like a bright cheery pop of spring amidst the stark white. It looks lovely paired with your awesome cardi!
You're right - this print is much to loud for you. You should give this shirt to me ;-) hehehe!
Nice shirt! It won't look that bright in summer with white jeans or faded denim... 1/8/2015 02:51:48 am
This turned out so great!!! I'm like you, at first I was intimidated by Archer, but once I started sewing it I knew that I had been unnecessarily stressing myself out :) This post is making me think that I need to make another one... This shirt is gorgeous, I've not sewn an archer but I like what I see and love that print. For me it was a lekala shirtdress that took me to the next level and actually got confident about myself. When I started sewing the dress I was so intimidated of the collar and the buttonholes but after approaching it step by step and reading various tutorials it was a piece of cake. It seemed stupid to me why I was so afraid before doing it. What I realized after that is that nothing is actually difficult you only have to do a research and find out the way to do it. Leave a Reply. |
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