The Louisa dress becomes a nostalgic blouse

By Victoria As-it-Seams - 12:19

 Did anyone remember that my New Year Resolutions were sew 'practical' and 'less experimental'?
No ? Neither did I, when I set about creating this blouse.


And when Marte announced her Compagnie M Sewing Contest, the part of me that can't resist a deadline kicked into action. (I'm a journalist - I simply do not function without a deadline.) And I had such a sense of vision about what I wanted to create, that I couldn't help but start cutting up this stone-coloured cotton linen blend.
I've entered this blouse in the contest - see here
Ever since I made my first Louisa dress, from Marte's simple and perfect dress pattern, where I added a front placket, I had pondered taking this idea further.


So, I extended the middle section of the Louisa's distinctive placket to run the full length of the bodice. I also wanted to add fullness, so created the placket with a separate piece with eight pintucks. With a bit of fiddling and thinking, I kept the Louisa's lovely pockets.


 I had a vision to create a very nostaligic blouse,  a little inspired perhaps by the children's clothes worn in the Cotswolds here in England 100 years ago.  A bit rustic, simple lines.
The back closes with a single button, and I moved the Louisa's split back further up and added eight pleats.


 The asymetrical collar was 'borrowed' from Straightgrain's Tinny dress. I made a size 5, cut large, and Missy is only 3 so this is a little big on her.
I sewed this like a demon over a couple of evenings, broke a couple of needles, stitched my finger etc... Then I faced a photographic nightmare. Missy has been ill this week, a fever and a cough, and not in the mood for pictures. And it has barely stopped raining for a second! Literally. There are homes just a few miles away where sandbags are their only defence against the surging River Severn. So work has also been busy for me - reporting on what's going on.
Then this afternoon, it stopped raining for five minutes (yes, really) Missy seemed a little brighter, and I lured her outside with sweets. But brushing her hair properly was a step too far. And we could really only stay out for a few minutes in her new blouse. There's a fierce gale blowing too! So these photos will have to do.




She wore it with a little cardigan and looked lovely later on - like a doll from an old photograph.

I've got this blouse and my first Louisa dress entered in Compagnie M's contest. If you like them please click over and click on the little heart thingy. There are some fantastic creations to browse through - and great prizes. Here's the link to vote for my first  Louisa dress. And to vote for the blouse click over here. I love to have your support! Thank you!! 


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42 comments

  1. Love it! Both versions are lovely, but this blouse is absolutely stunning - The vintage look you've managed to achieve is simply perfect! Well-done :)
    (Stay safe and take care. We've been watching the news and it really doesn't look good :(

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    1. Thank you! I think I had the lovely blouses at S is for Sewing in mind when I sewed this! I made a real effort to do a good job with the sewing, and keep things (relatively) understated. To me these are S is for Sewing traits!
      The sun was shining today, (a bit) ! Blue sky!

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  2. Victoria. nostalgic and romantic are the only words I have for this wonderful blouse! Love the pin tucks, love pink piping, love the collar... Hope Missy is feeling better now and fingers crossed the weather will improve soon for you guys!

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  3. I love the linen blouse! So vintage. Fabulous!!!

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  4. Love the blouse! Very girly.

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  5. The blouse is without doubt the most beautifull Louisa-inspired piece I have ever seen! Congrats!

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    1. Thank you so much! Such a lovely comment. I was really pleased too. It's one thing I've made where I had a really 'clear vision' of what I wanted to do.
      Lovely to have you over here at As it Seams!
      Victoria

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  6. your blouse is so so creative!! love both!

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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