Holding Back Summer Part 2; Taking Nani Iro to Romania

By Victoria As-it-Seams - 15:07

It was late at night, I'd been sewing and unpicking for hours, in a desperate bid to finish a complex dress for me.
It was going badly...
So what did I do, in my fit of temper?
Start a completely new project.
I'm not kidding that I started this little blouse at 11pm, and finished it by midnight. It was one of those evenings when I just HAD to sew something, anything, just so long as it turned out right.

nani iro blouse herringbone double guaze

And this little blouse was also part of my frantic 'Hold back Summer' sewing. I knew that if I didn't get a few things finished for Missy's summer holiday wardrobe I would miss my chance. And I was right. Since we returned from Romania, the weather has shifted. An autumn chill is in the air. Pretty summer tops and dresses are set to languish for another year.

Which also means I have zero chance of persuading Missy to pose for photos in this blouse. But in the spirit of hasty sewing, it seems appropriate to make-do with these snaps from our Romanian adventure. (Oh and a few others have sneaked in... forgive me)

We spent a glorious Sunday morning riding the bumpy tracks around the village on this horse and cart. Everywhere people were making their way to church, smiling hello, and dressed in their smart white blouses, billowing skirts, headscarves.

The cart driver wore his traditional hat typical of the Maramures region. He adored having Missy sitting next to him, she chatted and giggled at every bump of the cart. The fields were full of wildflowers, Missy and Torin were happy, it felt heavenly.

It was such an inspiring place to be.
Here are Missy and Torin watching Romanian cartoons, sitting on the sofa in the cart driver's farmhouse. Check out those textiles! A feast for the eyes!

And these!

But I digress...back to the sewing...This little blouse is made in Nani Iro Herringbone double gauze, bought from Miss Matatabi. It's made from leftover scraps and I barely had enough, so the back is pieced together.

I think the effect kind of works with the sea-washed texture of this gorgeous fabric. I completely 'winged' this self-drawn pattern. The bodice front and back is sheered, and there's a little elastic over the shoulders too. There's no hem (apart from on the sleeves), just a selvege.

nani iro double gauze herringbone blouse

It's rather cute, the fabric is fabulous, and for one hour's effort I'm pleased. But it's been worn once, and I expect it will be outgrown by the time the warm weather returns. But this little blouse meant I could go to bed that night and sleep easy. And for that it was worth it....

5 Comments

5 comments

Suz25 August 2014 at 06:00
Beautiful photos. The shirt looks gorgeous on:)
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Jenya @ While she was sleeping25 August 2014 at 21:07
Oh yes, I too sometimes just need to make something - anything - that would work. Funny enough a couple of things I made feeling like I was about to cry are LM's faves. Most simple, absolutely basic quick projects. Go figure :)
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Inder-ific26 August 2014 at 16:28
Ooooh, so pretty!! And in the context of your photos of Romania, absolutely perfect and idyllic, a little folk peasant blouse surrounded by beautiful textiles and meadows and horse drawn carts, ahhhhhhh.
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Pam @Threading My Way30 August 2014 at 03:52
I can totally relate to just having to successfully sew and finish something. A very pretty blouse and such beautiful photos.
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Victoria