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My Aunt Millie was a little old lady of Sicilian descent who possessed a fashion sense as exhuberent as it was questionable. She never looked boring. She would have been all over this mint green lace blouse. So am I. Sometimes, you just need a piece that’s so ugly it’s cool.
I have been a little off blogging lately. It has something to do with my kids, who are in school full day for the first time. I no longer know who I am. Maybe I’ll get back to blogging regularly when I figure it all out. “We will be restoring normality as soon as we are sure what is normal anyway. Thank you.”
Other than the Aunt Millie paragraph above, I also want to blog about this blouse for 2 more reasons. One is that I bought some cotton tulle from Kashi at an amazing price on the Fabric Shopping Day outlined in the previous post. Andrea asked me why I was so thrilled about this purchase. What would I use it for, anyway? I think I answered something really helpful like, “Any number of things.” So, here is something I use cotton tulle for. As a facing on a sheer fabric. It is much more sheer than the self fabric, so it looks less obtrusive as a facing.
The other thing I want to point out about it is that I made this pattern once before, and liked it except for the shoulder/sleeve area. I was planning on doing something to improve that area, but was not sure what. Then I read this post on fashion-incubator, and the associated forum discussions, and figured, what the heck, it can’t hurt. It was just what I needed. The sleeve and shoulder are so much better now. Not only that, but the sleeves and shoulders on all of my existing garments are now lacking, even though they were all fine last week. Definitely try this if you’re feeling experimental.
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detail of the tulle facing
Rolling in Cloth 
10 Comments
I think it’s lovely. Good tip on the use of the tulle.
I don’t know why you think this blouse is jolie laide, because I actually love it. What a great use of the tulle. I would never have thought of that. So cool. And the story and description of your aunt had me in stitches!
Thanks for sharing how you use the cotton tulle for the facing! It is something I will store away for future use. I always learn something new or get my creative juices stirred when I visit your blog.
As for the kids being in school and losing your way…as someone who’s been there…you will find your way. It’s just the first of many changes in the kids lives that will impact yours.
I don’t know why you think it ugly either. It’s a very au courant blouse as well as being lovely.
I wonder if he still has some cotton tulle.
About your sleeve alteration, I understand the armhole change, it looks a lot like my moulage that I made with KK. How did you change the sleeve cap? Can you show a picture?
You can certainly go look at Metro for cotton tulle, but we bought all that he had at the time. It was a large piece in the remnant bin, and Karen (http://sewingbytheseatofmypants.blogspot.com/) and I shared it.
My sleeve pattern looks a lot like this one
Hi Claudine,
I’m writing a post about sewing and its relation to extravaganza in clothing. I was wondering if I could use pictures of some of your creations in my post, to illustrate my point of view?
Thanks,
Ana
Yes, of course! I’m very flattered. Please include a link to my blog. Thanks.
Sure, thanks!
Hi, Claudine! I empathize with you about the kids being away at school! But you’ll find yourself again, no worries! Funny how life’s changes make us question ourselves – perhaps this is good?
I love your blouse. And I am eternally grateful for your links about the sleeve cap ease. I just finished a jacket that needs that fix! Funny – I’ve always relied on a shoulder pad (however thin) to “fix” the fit problem through the shoulders. No longer!
Your blouses are always exquisite. I love lace and the colour is so unusal.
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