Loose Ends

I just wanted to wrap up those dangling loose ends with pictures of the finished products of Simplicity 2501 , the Maggie Blouse.

Here's the finished product. It's one of my favorite tops to wear, I might add.  My neckband has some wave in it so apparently it got stretched some in the construction process as it is cut on the bias.  The waistband and peplum are very figure flattering.  The pattern is one of Simplicity's choose-a-cup multi-size patterns so size adjustments are a breeze.  The only one I had left to do was a forward shoulder adjustment. Nice.

The only thing I was scared of were the ruched sleeved.  But Simplicity has easy directions for that as well.  I love how they came out above.  Kind of channeling the spirit of the forties. They have it marked on the pattern for you to mark on the sleeve where to place elastic then sew over with casing.  Their process was easy if you 're slow and careful.


The other top finished is Simplicity's 2975, the view B top.  This should have flown together pretty quick but I decided to embellish it and then ran completely out of sewing steam ( or steam for anything for that matter).  So once I got done with the mending, I figured I have needle in hand let's go.  It took 3 night of sewing while watching TV to finish it out:

See just a simple yoked smock top.

And there's the embellishment: a simple straight stitch embroidered with the awfullest gold thread to work with ever! and some cute little brass dangly thingies from Joann's. The mottled fabric was a bonus 1yd boo-boo Fabric.com sent with an order.   I fell madly in love it and had to use and found some red cotton to work with it.  I have a pale grey Vera Wang sweater that works with it, too, so I can get some use from it before it turns cold. 

The Maggie Blouse And A Broken Hip

I know it's been a while since I've posted. A family emergency took me out of town for several days and life has been very hectic since leaving no time for sewing at all. My father fell, broke a hip and began a series of complications: heart attack, pneumonia, ventilators, dementia, and one super-stressed out Mom to boot. Life is calming down while he's in rehab but there's still so much to do and so much uncertainty. Aging parents are a scary stage in life, especially when they live several hours away and value their independence.

I was so rattled the trip necessitated a visit to JoAnn's in Cincinnati on the way home for a little retail therapy. I emerged with some celery green sweater knit, a purple poly-charmeuse, and a a funky abstract floral poly-charmeuse from their clearance racks. I also picked up these two cuties while they were one sale.

I've been stealing 10-15 minutes the last 4 days trying make progress on the blouse, which I have done this week. While in Ohio and unable to sew I did think of sewing. I kept thinking this blouse reminded me of something. Then it clicked. Maggie Gyllenhall in The Secretary

The print is bolder, but the peonies with stirrups and chains, demure tucks and pleats really made me think of this movie. So the Maggie Blouse it is. The tie and facing is attached. Tomorrow I should be able to apply the waistband. Slowly but surely, step by step.....