A Common blouse - and shorts

By Victoria As-it-Seams - 02:25

When I sorted the photos for this post, I unthinkingly called the photo file 'Common Blouse', because I took the pictures on the typically English common near our home.

Then the name has somehow stuck. A Common Blouse.

This isn't a blouse that's breaking any new ground style-wise. But I love it just the same.

And it's also been a real wardrobe staple - seeing missy through the winter, often worn as a layer under the Cloth of Kings dress featured here.

And now it's still going strong into our summer.

I'm often asked if the pretty lawn fabric is Liberty. It could be, it's a lovely design, but it's simply bought from my local fabric shop. I love seeing missy in a blouse, rather than a t-shirt, but finding a good blouse pattern was surprisingly difficult.

The only pattern I could find was this one from Burda.

It only goes up to age 3, so I modified the pattern slightly. I cut the yoke pieces wider and made the 'skirt' of the blouse much longer. I get really depressed if missy grows out of clothes too quickly! I also didn't like the sleeves on the Burda pattern. Elastic halfway up the arm just seemed wierd to me. And I had visions of the wide flaring sleeves just getting covered in pasta sauce etc. So I put the elastic round the cuffs to make a little frill. So it now looks half dress/half blouse.Which I kind of like.

But it was crying out for a pair of shorts to complete the outfit.

I had a sizeable remnant leftover from the Fat Quarter Blouse which seemed ideal.

I just winged it with a pattern for the shorts - partly because I only had a small piece of fabric to work with.

I added little cuffs to the bottom, complete with notch opening and pink piping. (Have I mentioned before that I'm obsessed with piping?) I'm pleased with the design- although it's not terribly well executed. Watch this space for Notch-Cuff Shorts Mark 2!

I didn't have quite enough fabric to be able to cut one of the legs, so I had to cut it from two pieces and patch them together. A little appliqued bird, covers the corner of the join - which I hadn't

managed to do very neatly.

Of course when I finally persuaded missy to model her outfit on the Common, she helpfully removed the shorts!

I used embroidery thread button-loops, which are so easy to do and always look delicate. They're something my mother taught me to do and have become a bit of a trademark.

I love the way this pattern flares at the back. It creates a beautiful silhouette.

7 Comments

7 comments

Anonymous19 June 2013 at 15:45
Thank you so much for your lovely comment on my blog!
I just fell in love with the lovely blouse you made (looks adorable on your girl)!
I am now following your blog and can't wait to see more of your lovely creations :-)
ReplyDelete
Replies
Roslyn20 June 2013 at 02:44
I love gorgeous trousers with the little bird! I didn't even notice the seam until you pointed it out!!
ReplyDelete
Replies
Victoria As-it-Seams22 June 2013 at 04:14
Ah thanks for your comments! Got more creations in the pipeline, thanks for following sisforsewing! And Roslyn, isn't it funny how mistakes or 'make-do' things often turn out for the best - I like the extra seam and the bird on the trousers too..!
ReplyDelete
Replies
Suz2 July 2013 at 06:12
The shirt is really pretty!
ReplyDelete
Replies
Unknown2 July 2013 at 18:11
Victoria, how funny. I own very few non-pdf patterns for children's clothes, but I actually have this exact same Burda pattern, haha. I also made that blouse (and yes, the sleeves drag in the spaghetti sauce!). I struggled quite a bit with attaching the bodice and the result was certainly not blog worthy (plus it was wayyyyy before I even thought of putting my little creations on the web...) Anyway, you did a beautiful job! Love it!

Natalie
www.natandgang.blogspot.ca
ReplyDelete
Replies
Victoria As-it-Seams8 July 2013 at 03:39
Hi Natalie. Thanks for comments. This was actually the third version of this blouse! I made one when she was about 18-months old, and another as a present for a friend. So I was a bit of an expert on this pattern by the time I made this version! It's been one of the best worn pieces I've ever made. Through the winter under cardigans. And then this weekend we've finally had a heat wave - and she wore it again and it was perfect for keeping her safe in the sun.
V
ReplyDelete
Replies
Pam @Threading My Way13 July 2013 at 03:33
I love piping too and on the shorts it looks fabulous... really makes them. The blouse is very pretty, too.
ReplyDelete
Replies

Add comment

Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. I love hearing from you, and try to reply as often as I can, either here or by email. All views, tips, gratefully received...
Victoria