Return of the Rose Print

You know all of those Asher prints that Peter has been mentioning lately? . . . Well, you may have caught a glimpse of one right here on my little blog!

I knew I wanted to wear one of my Beignets for the Colette Launch Party, so I needed something suitable to pair back with one of those skirts.  Something new!  And then I caught a glimpse of that rose print out of the corner of my eye which happened to be right next to the leftover scraps of yellow eyelet.  Clouds part, and light shines into sewing room!

Because I already had twelve contrasting buttons running down the skirt, I did not want to do the same with the blouse.  Enter the covered button, and nine more bound buttonholes!  (It really is time for bound buttonhole rehab.  Would someone please convince me that my machine and its buttonhole attachment is not going to destroy my finished garments?)

Yes, I am a big dork, but I just love the construction process and watching as a garment takes shape.  I love how all the raw edges are matched and finished, and finally, you have a brand spanking new piece of clothing.

And did I mention how much I love these sleeves?  Yes, they are over the top (and perhaps would work better with a more drapey fabric) but they are so much fun to wear!

This is the first pattern I have come across that stops the buttonholes right above waist-level, and adds a snap right below to keep the tucked section together.  Brilliant!  I know that some Victorian and Edwardian construction uses the same idea; if something is going to be tucked in or covered, the embellishments stop at that point.  Not only does it save on button costs and buttonhole work, but there is no bump to contend with!

The silhouette of a blouse like this is always improved by the addition of a shoulder pad, in my opinion, and I used my go-to pattern.  Vogue 2494 is a scrumptious vintage reprint, and it also includes a pattern for a slim shoulder pad.  To be fair, the blouse pattern does include three pieces to make up a shoulder pad, but I have had a bad experience with the three piece stuffed shoulder pads from vintage patterns, so I am wary of them and decided to avoid them altogether in this instance.

I only have a few pictures from the Colette Launch at which this blouse made her debut, so I decided to wear the outfit again yesterday with a few different accessories.

Eat your heart out, Cathy Lane!  Although that brat may have the last laugh.  After all, her rose print is a glorious gown, mine is merely a blouse.  But I do have some yardage leftover, and may have a few tricks up my voluminous sleeves . . .

And is anyone else a bit miffed with her for losing all those extra pounds about 24 hours after the birth of her bouncing baby?  Those darn celebrities and their fad diets and personal trainers – it just isn’t fair.  I am put out for pregnant woman everywhere!

But I would like to say a great big thank you, Peter, for sharing your Asher Studio cotton print – I just hope you do not have a screaming harridan of a cousin on your hands throwing a massive hissy fit over your generosity.

Blouse:  Made by me, McCall 8358

Skirt:  Made by me, Colette“Beignet”

Belt:  length of ribbon

Shoes:  Hinge “Tegan”

Fishnets:  Simply Vera