Burda Silk Blouse 04/2011 #105

In my summer planning post, I mentioned I had some stretch woven shirt fabric that I intended to make up into Burda Three Quarter Sleeve Blouse 06/2013 #119. Well, that post must have been great motivation, because I went on a Burda shirt muslin frenzy! As well as the three quarter sleeve blouse, I muslined a stack of other shirt patterns – one of which was this Burda Silk Blouse 04/2011 #105.

Merino Paola Turtleneck Tee

It started with a top. This top, to be precise:

Oh Country Road, you can do no wrong.

Suddenly I had visions of a wardrobe filled with long sleeve merino tops – warm, moisture-wicking and odour-repelling.* A few online orders later, and I had enough merino jersey meterage to begin my wardrobe plan (more on the other garments later).

A very 70s outfit – Named Paola Turtleneck Tee and Ottobre 5/2016 #6 tweed skirt

I mentioned in my post about my Ottobre 5/2016 tee that I liked the turtleneck style so much, I quickly moved on to the Named Paola Turtleneck Tee. When I started this project, I realised this was the ideal opportunity to use up some neglected fabrics in my stash, and make the perfect (or perfectly daggy) 70s outfit.

Ottobre 5/2016 #5 – vintage lines ribbed sweater

I’ve been inspired by the fabulous turtlenecks doing the rounds and decided to make one of my own. My Ottobre magazine stash provided the pattern (Ottobre 5/2016 #5 – vintage lines ribbed sweater) and the fabric was an old purchase from Joelle’s Fabric Warehouse on eBay.

Ottobre painted canvas top

I know, another short sleeved top. I’m nothing if not consistent! This top is made from one of my Ottobre back issues, Summer/Spring 2/2016 #2, printed canvas t-shirt. It was drafted for knits, but as Ottobre tees tend to have a generous fit, I chanced sewing it with a stretch woven. The fabric substitution worked better than I anticipated, and now I have another versatile short sleeved top to add to my wardrobe.

Named Kielo Dress

I’ve been commenting and chatting to people about the Named Kielo Dress I made for several months now, so I figured it was time to bite the bullet and actually blog the darn thing! This story, I believe, began back in November, when Mads suggested I try Named Patterns. She rightly assumed I would enjoy their style and draft, and I have been especially pleased with the garments I’ve made from their line, the Sointu Sleeve Tee and the Inari Tee Dress. I am equally happy with the Kielo Dress!

Fab shoes courtesy of our new Cotton On superstore (yeh, we’re that fancy now). Necklace from op shop.

More Elle pants and a Named Sointu

I did promise you there would be more Elle pants coming, and I’m a woman who sticks by her word! Like my last pair, these were made in bengaline from the Spotlight clearance table, though I think they were more like $6/m, making this project a costly $10 total. What can I say, I’m a scrooge.*

It must be love

You guys – I’ve finally found my perfect match. Every sewist knows the struggle with patterns that aren’t quite drafted for their body type – the restrictive arms, the too-wide neckline, and the dress that looks cute on the envelope, but looks more like a muu-muu on your body. Enter European sewing magazines: well-drafted, stylish, and the perfect fit for my body.

And they have a dirndl issue every year. What’s not to love?