Michelle, ma belle... tres bien ensemble
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Michelle ma belle, sont des mots qui vont très bien ensemble,

Tres bien ensemble

Let's get loud.

1/6/2015

19 Comments

 
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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. 
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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. 
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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. 
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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.
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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... 
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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
Tasha link
1/6/2015 04:44:23 am

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. :)

For me, I think undertaking a tailoring project 2 years ago was one of the moments where I felt like I was no longer just a beginner or advance beginner. That and sewing my first Jenna cardigan this fall. I actually did topstitching that I was proud of, and on a knit fabric no less (I haaaate topstitching and try as I might, it's just never anywhere perfect). It was also previously a type of garment that I was really was scared to sew. Those both made me really feel like I'd stepped up my game! And holding me back currently is bound buttonholes. I'm going to sew a coat this winter and the only thing I'm dreading is learning how to make bound buttonholes. How silly is that?! Tailoring, hand sewing, miles of basting, lining... but it's some stupid buttonholes that scare me. lol

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Sue @ A Colourful Canvas link
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....:)}

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Jenny link
1/6/2015 05:37:11 am

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 :)
As for being intermediate - it's funny how different people define themselves on that type of scale! But I think for me it was when I made my first coat and it turned out well - I think I had to begrudgingly accept that I wasn't really a beginner any more

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Elle link
1/6/2015 05:49:52 am

Girl that looks INCREDIBLE. I am jealous as always of your chic and office-appropriate makes! I don't think you look like the president of a gardening club at all-- I would TOTALLY wear that.

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Liz link
1/6/2015 05:50:51 am

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 didn't know you were scared of the archer... I am nervous about collar plackets actually. Glad to hear the directions help immensely for this one. :D I'll be following in your footsteps soon enough.

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Gina link
1/6/2015 07:44:46 am

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!

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Renee Anne link
1/6/2015 09:14:28 am

Dear Bob, you CAN see that from space! But it works and that's all that matters :)

I'm not sure I'd be okay with something that bold either :)

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Evie link
1/6/2015 09:29:48 am

This is definitely a departure for you pattern-wise, but it's a really great print, and the blouse looks really nice on you. Especially with the less bold trousers and cardigan.

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Jo link
1/6/2015 01:28:29 pm

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.
This looks great and I look forward to seeing your next Archer.
By the way, TOTALLY cute cardy. That's it, I'm buying that grey wool I saw on sale. lol :)

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Lisa link
1/6/2015 08:32:38 pm

I love the print, actually! In the middle of the snowy winter setting you're standing in, it's like a little dose of joy smack in the middle! :-)

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Joyce link
1/6/2015 09:00:13 pm

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.

If you hadn't pointed out your 'mistake' about the back pleat, I'd never have noticed and frankly I don't think it matters in the slightest. I agree with you though, I could do with at least a dozen more in my wardrobe!

It's fantastic to see some lovely bright colours in the winter!

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marie.koupparis@niace.org.uk link
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'!

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steph link
1/6/2015 09:41:18 pm

intermediate? are you kidding??? you are a superstar!!! great piece!!!!

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katie metzroth link
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!

...and Happy New Year! : )

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tanyamaile link
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!

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Gail link
1/7/2015 03:16:04 am

You're right - this print is much to loud for you. You should give this shirt to me ;-) hehehe!

Lovely! It looks fantastic. I think the Archer is probably my all-time favorite pattern to date. Never too many classic shirts, especially when they're in beautiful fabrics like this.

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Valerie link
1/7/2015 07:01:15 am

Nice shirt! It won't look that bright in summer with white jeans or faded denim...
My great leap came when I sewed up my first swimsuit. After that there was no turning back! Living near the ocean in Australia I do a lot of swimming so a new swimsuit each year has saved me a lot of $$$

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Miss Crayola Creepy link
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...

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Aida link
1/14/2015 06:42:49 am

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.

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