Strawberry Fields Blouse

Some readers might remember the disaster that was the Strawberry Fields Forever dress last summer.  I did try to salvage it, but it was just such a disaster, I really couldn't.  I put the leftover strawberry fabric back in my stash and tried to think of a productive way to use it.  I realized a few weeks ago that I had about enough to make a Portrait blouse if I did a little piecing in the back, and decided to try and make something wearable out of this lovely vintage print.

I've not made a Portrait blouse since the end of last summer, and I made a couple of mods based on things I like about the fit and ease of making with my Frankendresses.  I changed the armscye to the type of kimono sleeve I use on my frankenpattern so that I could use bias to finish the edge.   (The original Portrait blouse kimono sleeve is kind of a pain to finish since it has to be turned under very narrowly and the join at the side seam is always awkward) I also decided to skip the facing around the neckline and use bias as well.  Since this was a button-down version, I cut a self-facing on the outer edge, using the fabric selvage edge.  It worked out quite well!  I plan to finish my other blouses this way too--I have 2 1/2 more blouses cut out and ready for stitching.

The buttons stymied me, however.  I couldn't really find something that went well with the fabric--I have plenty of red, yellow, and green buttons, but nothing seemed to fit.  I realize now that the scale of the pattern really called for small buttons.  I found these small turquoise buttons on etsy earlier in March, and they turned out to be just the thing.  They are very close to the color of the blue flowers, and the size of them is in scale with the rest of the print.  It was my first time handworking such small buttonholes, and I confess, they aren't my best work, but at least I used off-white thread so that it doesn't show much.  

It is still quite cold today, so I'm wearing a wool sweater, even though I have several lightweight cotton sweaters that would look better with the blouse.  Oh well.  Needs must and all that.  I'm sure it will get more use as the weather warms up a bit (and I'm not complaining about the cold, just to be clear--I dislike the heat, and will take this cooler weather as long as we have it!  Although it is a little challenging to dress for the current season, it must be said.  It is not quite cold enough for heavy winter woolies, but not quite warm enough for lighter weight spring clothes yet)  I should also add that it is fiendishly difficult to photograph a white blouse with a small scale print before 8:00 a.m. on a sunny day.  Hence the roving backgrounds.

But I digress.  I'm fairly happy with the blouse, although I do realize that I'm past the season of needing separates every day.  

Last year, I was still nursing almost full time, and couldn't really wear dresses easily; now that Ponchik has weaned, I'm all about the dresses.  I've got three Frankendresses cut out in various iterations and several more dresses planned for later in the year.  I'm really happy with the fit of that pattern, and I really don't have the patience or interest in fitting another dress pattern right now when I can fiddle with the details in order to get a different look every time I make one.

In any case, I'm happy this blouse is complete.  The fabric has been taunting me from the bin since last summer, a reminder of how badly I messed up the first go-round.  I'm pleased this iteration turned out well.  I've got a kelly green linen Hollyburn cut out for summer that will also go quite nicely with this blouse (as well as another one that I've not stitched up yet...stay tuned)

P.S. In the interest of honesty in photography, I've not edited out the monster cold sore right under my nose.  Just keeping it real over here.

I've got some new knitting on the needles and I'll try to do a Yarn Along post for tomorrow.

Outfit details:

Strawberry Fields Portrait Blouse: me made from vintage fabric and buttons

Red Twill skirt: me made

Yellow belt: ebay

Brown sweater: Ralph Lauren via ThredUp

Flower brooch: Acorn and Will

Earrings: etsy (a Christmas gift two years ago)

Boots: Modcloth