spring showers shirtwaist

Mena, the author of one of my favorite blogs: The Sew Weekly, recently approached me about participating in a collaborative project she’s running right now: A Common Thread. A group of talented seamstresses were tasked with the challenge of using 4 yards of lace Mena sent each of us to use as we wished on a creation of our own choosing. Funnily enough, every gal has thus far chosen a top to use the lace on–and I was no exception! Since I’ve been itching to make a 1910s blouse, I decided to pull my old copy of Folkwear’s Armistice Blouse pattern out of my stash and use the lace in conjunction with that. I love how the blouse turned out–despite the fact that the weather totally did not cooperate the day Sailor Husband was available for taking photos. A big thank you to Mena for asking me to participate in this, and be sure to stop by The Sew Weekly to read my post on the project!


Now, of course having completed this, I’m thinking “what to sew next?”! Should I make a hat from Lauren’s pattern, or perhaps a navy blue version of my favorite trousers? I am definitely leaning towards the hat–now just to chose fabric!

March 30, 2011 · 72 lovely thoughts
posted in sewing · tags: , , ,

Sarah March 30, 2011 at 16:19

Absolutely gorgeous! The blouse is so beautiful and romantic, and you looked like you stepped right out of a BBC period drama. You’re such a talented seamstress – I always love seeing what creations you’ve come up with!

Casey March 31, 2011 at 09:11

Thank you so much, Sarah! :)

♥ Casey

Marie March 30, 2011 at 16:19

Oh Casey, this is such a romantic look you’ve got going on! I adore your blouse, so much so, that I’m going to look up the pattern for myself. Lovely work!

Casey March 31, 2011 at 09:12

Thank you, Marie!!! The pattern has been one of those that I’ve hung on to for years and years–I think I need to make another in fact! :)

♥ Casey

Lindsay March 30, 2011 at 16:22

Wauw, what a beautiful blouse, Casey, and the pictures are stunning too.
I especially like the first one!

Casey March 31, 2011 at 09:12

Thank you ever so much!!! :)

♥ Casey

Rebekah March 30, 2011 at 16:24

this is so beautiful and elegant! I Love this!

Casey March 31, 2011 at 09:12

Thank you, Rebekah!

♥ Casey

Stephanie March 30, 2011 at 16:25

Love your blouse! I’ve been looking for a great 1910s blouse since I got hooked on Downton Abby! I’m definitely checking this one out. And I’d love to hear what you think of Lauren’s hat pattern. It’s on my list of patterns to buy.

Casey March 31, 2011 at 09:13

Thank you, Stephanie! I’ll definitely keep the blog updated on the hat pattern when I tackle it; it’s been on my to-do list for a bit now and I’m eager to make a spring topper. :)

♥ Casey

Faustine March 30, 2011 at 16:27

I have been reading your blog for a while, but seeing this blouse made me want to leave a comment. It’s just so beautiful, so retro and yet it also seems moderns somehow. I really love seeing your sewing projects, and this is my favorite so far!

Casey March 31, 2011 at 09:13

Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Faustine! :)

♥ Casey

Jenny @ Kerrfect! March 30, 2011 at 16:34

Beautiful blouse! Love the fabric! I’m always afraid to mix white and off white, but you made it look great.

Casey March 31, 2011 at 09:14

Thank you, Jenny! I have to admit I was a little worried about the white/cream combination at first as well, and it wasn’t until the blouse was nearly done that I felt a bit better about how it looked. ;)

♥ Casey

Corinne March 30, 2011 at 16:51

Beautiful, my pattern is still languishing while waiting for the right fabric. I need to step up the search and get it made.

Casey March 31, 2011 at 09:15

Thank you! I have to admit that this one has been sitting in my to-sew (or rather, to-sew-again!) pile for ages, waiting for the right fabric. Originally I had a smooth-faced batiste in mind, but never found exactly what I wanted. The swiss dot seemed a good pick though! Although at this point I’m thinking I might like to make it up in a black voile with some tucks/drawn threadwork…

♥ Casey

jadestar March 30, 2011 at 17:00

What a pretty blouse. I love clothes from the edwardian era. And swiss dot cotton!!!

Casey March 31, 2011 at 09:15

Thank you!!! :)

♥ Casey

anna allen March 30, 2011 at 17:07

casey, i adore this blouse! so pretty! now i want one! where did you get your fabric? (you probably already said, i’m just so excited i had to post! hah!)

Casey March 31, 2011 at 09:16

Thank you, Anna!! :) I got the swiss dot at Hancock Fabrics–of all places! It’s 100% cotton too, which was a plus in my eyes. ;)

♥ Casey

RetroJetGirl March 30, 2011 at 17:09

I always love everything you make. I’ve always wanted to learn to sew but you are gradually pushing me along into action… now to find an actual fabric/sewing store in Dubai!!! :S

Casey March 31, 2011 at 09:17

Thank you, dear! :) I do hope you’re able to find something local–I always enjoy being able to browse through a sewing store to be inspired to create something. ;) (Plus it beats having to wait to get supplies in the mail! hehe!)

♥ Casey

Sheri March 30, 2011 at 17:18

Well, Casey, everyone else has already said it, but the blouse is beautiful, romantic, and elegant. It looks lovely on you. :)

Casey March 31, 2011 at 09:17

Thank you so much, Sheri!!! :)

♥ Casey

Shishi March 30, 2011 at 17:25

Oh christ, that’s beautiful! It makes me itch for a teens pattern to sew…

Casey March 31, 2011 at 09:18

This is a good one to start with! ;)

♥ Casey

Molly March 30, 2011 at 17:46

Great job on the blouse, its very feminie and delicate, seems like a really fun project to work on. You should absolutely work on the hat pattern next! I have been weak at the knee’s for accessory/ detachable patterns lately and would love to see how you go with a hat, i’m sure it would provide some inspiration!

Casey March 31, 2011 at 09:19

Thank you, Molly! I am definitely toying with the idea of mocking up the hat pattern this weekend, if I have the time. I’ve been itching for a spring topper in a pretty linen or something. I’ll keep the blog updated on progress!

♥ Casey

Michelle M. March 30, 2011 at 17:46

I absolutely love this blouse! I love reading your blog – thanks for another inspiring post! :)

Casey March 31, 2011 at 09:21

Thank you so much for your lovely words, Michelle! :)

♥ Casey

Gina March 30, 2011 at 18:00

Casey you are lovely, these pictures are perfect. It amazing what you can do with a little fabric! Casey, may I ask you how many hours did you spend on this project? I was just wondering what a blouse like this would take to make. Love your work as always!

Casey March 31, 2011 at 09:24

Thank you so much, Gina! I’m pretty bad about keeping track of time when I work on a project (usually because I work on it in little snippets as I have time), but I think when it was all said and done about 6-8 hours (including pattern alteration, cutting the fabric and all the handwork). Pretty quick for a blouse with lace! :)

♥ Casey

allyson March 30, 2011 at 18:20

new to your blog and so happy to have found your inspirating posts, the blouse is sooo romantic!

Casey March 31, 2011 at 09:25

Welcome to the blog, Allyson! Thank you so much for stopping by and your lovely comment. :)

♥ Casey

Robin March 30, 2011 at 18:31

Simply gorgeous and your pictures are perfect. The rain was meant to be I think! The blouse has a lovely and slightly mysterious spirit about it if that makes sense. Like it’s been around forever and has its own story to tell. Beautiful work. I recently discovered your blog and I love reading your posts — this gorgeous top inspired me to finally comment. :)

Casey March 31, 2011 at 09:25

I think you’re right about the rain, Robin! Thank you so much for your lovely comment as well! :)

♥ Casey

Ann March 30, 2011 at 18:59

Can I say anything more than what the others have said? What I love about this is that it looks very edwardian, yet also modern. Just lovely. The fact that the weather did not cooperate should not bum you out, the pictures are gorgeous. I love the hazy background.

Casey March 31, 2011 at 09:27

Thank you, Ann! I really love how this can be updated a bit for modern wear as well; yesterday I wore it with a pencil skirt and it looked perfect styled that way as well. Yay for versatile garments!

♥ Casey

Emily March 30, 2011 at 19:27

wow that shirt is beautiful (and I usually don’t like edwardian/teens era fashion) I love the swiss dot fabric you used!

Casey March 31, 2011 at 09:27

Thank you so much, Emily–so glad you liked this! :)

♥ Casey

martha March 30, 2011 at 19:27

This is so lovely! The swiss dot and lace make such a good combination.

Casey March 31, 2011 at 09:28

Thank you, Martha! :)

♥ Casey

Marmielu March 30, 2011 at 19:31

I left a comment on The Sew Weekly, but must say that this turned out so well! It all works very well together, and looks just wonderful on you. Is that one of the skirts from our adventures?
Mom

Casey March 31, 2011 at 09:29

Aw, thanks Mom!!! :) Yep–that’s the black pleated skirt I found last Thursday. I am utterly in love with it (I’ve been wearing it far, far too much already!). hehe!

♥ Casey

Amber Apple March 30, 2011 at 19:33

You are so lovely Casey!

Casey March 31, 2011 at 09:30

Thank you, Amber!!! :)

♥ Casey

Evie March 30, 2011 at 21:43

Beautiful! I’ve got some wonderful batiste and swiss insertion lace intended for this pattern. I think that’s one of the projects I’m going to try and knock out this summer.

Casey March 31, 2011 at 09:31

Thank you, Evie! Batiste sounds so dreamy for this pattern! I’m contemplating eventually finding some black voile for another version myself… ;)

♥ Casey

Carrie at In the Hammock Blog March 30, 2011 at 23:06

This is sooo beautiful!!

Casey March 31, 2011 at 09:31

Thank you, Carrie!

♥ Casey

Lisa March 30, 2011 at 23:17

I LOVE the trousers!!! I have been looking for that EXACT pattern for FOREVER!! (I don’t think there was anyone with my sized butt back then. :( Bummer! )

Casey March 31, 2011 at 09:32

Thank you, Lisa! :)

♥ Casey

indigorchid March 30, 2011 at 23:36

Goodness, you look like Frida Kahlo in a Chanel-ad!

(yeah, that’s a compliment – a big one!)

Casey March 31, 2011 at 09:33

Eeep! Thank you, dear!!! ;)

♥ Casey

Marie L March 31, 2011 at 01:29

Wow! That blouse is so amazing! Defiantly do the hat hat hat!

Casey March 31, 2011 at 09:33

Thank you, Marie!!! :) I’m thinking if I have time this weekend I might throw together a mock up of the hat to get started on the project! ;)

♥ Casey

Alli March 31, 2011 at 01:58

Beautiful work on the blouse Casey-absolutely stunning. You are such a talented gal!
I think you should make a pair of those slacks in the navy blue next. They would be super cute, plus you could pair it with heaps of tops. Great job with the photos again Sailor Husband ( but it must be easy when you have such a pretty model ;) )

Casey March 31, 2011 at 09:34

Thank you so much, Alli!

♥ Casey

Dana March 31, 2011 at 02:30

Just lovely. I’m gonna have to attempt something like this. :)

Casey March 31, 2011 at 09:35

Thank you, Dana! :)

♥ Casey

northwest is best March 31, 2011 at 03:19

Beautiful! I inherited abour 4 yards of parachute silk from my great aunt, who was a military nurse during WWII. I’d love to make it into a garment, so this is giving me some inspiration!

Casey March 31, 2011 at 09:36

Oh wow–that sounds like a gorgeous fabric (with such a neat history!) to make a blouse up in!!!

♥ Casey

Erika March 31, 2011 at 08:58

Beautiful! Love the romantic feel to it! And how perfect for spring.
I wasn’t a huge fan of the fashions from the 1910s, but you’ve converted me =) Also, the tv-show “Downtown Abbey” recently aired here in Sweden, with some gorgeous pre-WWI fashions, both from the aristo family and the servants. Have you seen it? If not, then I’d recommend it, I think it would be right up your lane!

Casey March 31, 2011 at 09:37

Thank you, Erika! :) I have been watching (or rather rewatching thanks to Netflix!) the first season of Downton Abbey–I just can’t wait for season 2! ;)

♥ Casey

Renee March 31, 2011 at 09:07

Your blouse is beautiful. I want one like that.:)

Casey March 31, 2011 at 09:37

Aw, thank you so much Renee! :)

♥ Casey

Class April 1, 2011 at 13:29

I would LOVE love LoVe to know how you did this hairstyle! It’s so romantic and feminine! I tried but failed, can you please give us a tutorial?

Tilly April 2, 2011 at 03:57

Oh my! This is soooo beautiful. I love the delicate fabric and the gorgeous details. You look gorgeous too, as always.

Victoria / Justice Pirate April 2, 2011 at 12:21

Love everything. Nothing more to say this time other than that I love it.

Jojo April 3, 2011 at 07:04

That blouse is beautiful! The lace is really pretty and compliments the pattern so well. Definitely a thing to wear often!

retrostyl April 5, 2011 at 06:13

Lovely!

Kristel April 5, 2011 at 16:21

Sublime création! J’adore :-) Je suis fan de l’ambiance de votre blog plein de fraîcheur et de belles idées…

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