I have been dying forever to make a PBB. Okay maybe only a few months, but well worth the wait because now I have a PPPBB! And it's part one of the grand plan to start dressing like a lady and sew a wardrobe full of beautiful, wearable clothes. Last year's no-new-clothes experiment opened my eyes up to the world of adult sewing and I am
never leaving. Blouses, skirts, dresses and shorts excite me but my concession is pants. I just don't want to muck around them. It would be easier for all involved if I bought some that just do what they're supposed to, and fit.
Which begs the question...how do you begin to plan a very wearable hand-made wardrobe? Time for a deep and meaningful with the closet. As suspected, it is full and I have nothing to wear. Sound familiar? There is some force that propels me towards statement dresses, pyjamas, gym clothes and swimwear and away from sensible basics and practical separates. It'd be nice to find a happy style medium between statement dresses and my everyday uniform of a little too comfy, slouchy tops ( the kind you'd happily wear to bed). A wardrobe that is comfortable, easy wearing and
feminine. Chock full of skirts, casual dresses and blouses like this one.
So how does item numero uno hold up in the wearable wardrobe stakes? With flying colours it does. And galloping ponies. This lovely is
Pattern Runway's pussy bow blouse in a Japanese cotton from an etsy seller. Can't say I'm especially pro-ponies but I couldn't resist the print. As for the blouse it's as easy wearing as I hoped, unbelievably feminine and has the added bonus of protecting skin from harsh Australian rays.
I wasn't sure how the collar would look since a lot of the PBB's around seem to be collar-less but the structured look of the collar seems to balance out nicely with the flouncy bow. Yes, I know I sound like an art critic but at least I didn't use the word juxtaposition. As an afterthought, looking at the photos, the bow can get a bit lost...maybe it could have worked nicely in a contrasting colour? Something to think about for next time...
Neigh! Stomp! Stomp!
So freakin cute! Great combo of pattern/fabric. Which etsy seller stocks that print? I love it!
ReplyDeleteThank you Nicole...I just went to check the seller and she's not on etsy any more. And I had a look through 23 pages of horse fabric to see if someone else had it and had no luck. Have you seen this one around? It's from spoonflower...http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/1016622
DeleteI LOVE this. That pattern, the fabric, it's going in my queue and on my pinterest. Love it.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Judging by your sewing I'm sure you will come up with some sensational fabric choice for this pattern!
DeleteLove the blouse and the fabric too. Added the pattern to my wishlist!
ReplyDeleteYou'll love it! Thanks Ololi.
DeleteOh I love it and I want it. The print is beautiful with this style also. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThanks Julia, you are right, the style seems to suit this sort of small print.
DeleteCute! I think you could have even gone bigger with the bow.
ReplyDeleteAs in... would you like some shirt with that bow? Love it...will definitely consider for the next one. Thanks Ms Quez!
DeleteThis is gorgeous! Loving watching what you sew for yourself, it's very inspiring
ReplyDeleteAaaw thanks for that warm and fuzzy Clareabell.
DeleteJust love it. Lovely and feminine too
ReplyDeleteThanks Rachelmp! It feels so lovely on. Quite effortless.
Deletethis is just ridiculously amazing. you are so good at fabric choices, too! that's always my hardest choice when sewing for myself...i'm not very adventurous. pinning...
ReplyDeleteThanks Kristin. Aren't fabric choices just the hardest when you're sewing for yourself! Its just so tricky to know. And at least when you go for something safe, you can be sure you'll wear it!
DeleteSo pretty! It really suits you! The colour and the style :)
ReplyDeleteAaaw tanks Max. Looking forward to seeing some preggo spring tops in the sewalong ;)
DeleteI love this! And I am pro-pony, ponies are the best. I would love a pony, but I'm stuck with a cat. Sigh. Life is tough.
ReplyDeleteI was talking to a friend about getting dressed in the morning and we decided (I decided) that even though we are no longer in school, we still create uniforms for ourselves. For me it's a skirt, a knit top, flats, large bag. Go. Alternatives include a woven top and pants, flats, large bag. Or dress, belt, flats, large bag. Basically anything that is comfortable and doesn't make me look like I just peeled myself off a couch. Even if I did.
strugglesewsastraightseam.wordpress.com
Hehe yeah you are spot on with the uniform thing. Sometimes I just get sick of having to dress myself in the mornings. Then you know you are in a rut.
DeleteI was JUST looking at that pattern from Pattern Runway! I absolutely adore your version...it's lovely. Did the pattern make up easily?
ReplyDeleteWere you? Thanks Meg, it did come together easily with a lot of email help from Sarah from Pattern Runway. She was so great. I got stuck in heaps of places but more because I am on the beginner side of beginner/intermediate than anything to do with the pattern. Good luck!
DeleteReally gorgeous blouse - just perfect!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Suzie!
DeleteThere's no stopping you lady. Amazing fabric yet again. Have just passed on a Sunshine Blog Award to you on my blog. Hope it's sunny on the other side of the world. Mrs B x
ReplyDeleteAaaw that's brightened my day for sure! Thanks Mrs B xx
DeleteStunning! You're absolutely right, feminine and vey chic. Great job on every front!
ReplyDeleteI'm so jealous of that print!
Lets just call it a mutual admiration society and be done. There's a similar print here if you're interested and you could get it printed in a silk cotton if you want to go all out... actually I almost like this one better: http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/1016622
DeleteSo cute! I've been wanting a pussy bow top too. I might have to try that pattern, I'm on the hunt for a constellation print. My son just came up to the computer and said "Mom!" no son, mom wishes. Just made my day :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Carla! A constellation print would be amazing. Have you checked spoonflower? I've seen a couple on there. You should definitely have a go at this pattern. I used Sarah from Pattern Runway heaps to get help with some of the steps I didn't understand.
DeleteLove it! I've also used this fabric, despite not particularly loving horses, and find the top on very high rotation in my wardrobe
ReplyDeleteI know! I saw your top on your blog and your horsey comment. I can see why you'd get so much wear out of it. Thanks LB.
DeleteYou had me at "PPPBB." Love it.
ReplyDeleteHehe you're a gem, thanks Inder!
DeleteGreat post - I feel the same way about my wardrobe. Also great blouse.
ReplyDeleteAw thanks Rosi, glad you found it useful. I guess that's the great thing about sewing is you can fill in the gaps in your wardrobe with exactly what you want!
DeleteWow that's absolutely stunning - like something you would get from Asos! I am approaching my sewn wardrobe the same way I would approach shopping, if I go the "Ooh that's so pretty" route and not think of the practical side I end up with unworn items. I figure if I putting that much effort into choosing a patten, fabric and then taking my sweet time on sewing something then I want to love it.
ReplyDeleteGreat name by the way! I feel the same. I would starve for fabric. Almost. That's the coolest thing that you think it looks like Asos, I was hoping it would turn out like th pbb's popping up all over Pinterest and from Asos. Thanks that made my day.
DeleteStunning. And I think you hit the nail on its head - wearable but stylish. I wouldn't mind adding one just like that to my wardrobe, too.
ReplyDeleteOh you should Trula! It's so great to discover a style that's ticks all the boxes but this one is so easy to wear and you can kind of forget about it once its on and get on with being a mum, but still feel half- attractive.
DeleteFirst of all, adorable! Seriously, you have the best luck with fabric finds. I love the fabric. Also, thanks for your comment on truebias. You should totally make a swimsuit. I took a class last year on sewing swimwear and was amazed at how easy it actually was. I could never pay $100 for a swimsuit again. I recommend kwiksew patterns and their book for sewing swimwear.
ReplyDeleteYeah I think a class is the way to go, thought that's the second recommendation I've heard for Kwik Sew. I know what you mean, its hard to imagine forking out for clothes again once you can sew them half decently!
DeleteHi! What a FANTASTIC shirt!! How funny that I stopped by here today - the fabric was actually purchased from my store Ixat, which is now at www.ixat.bigcartel.com. This horse fabric was all sold out a while back and is OOP. I recently stocked up on another horsey voile (in grey and purple) - not in the shop yet, but I will try to get it listed by the weekend in case anybody might be interested. Hope that's not too much plugging, I did want to say you look fantastic in this outfit and I wish I looked half as good! Gina.
ReplyDeleteNo worries Gina, and thanks again for the fabric hehe. I haven't seen anything like it since!
DeleteGorgeous, I love this kind of feminine blouse. And that pony print! So cute.
ReplyDeleteThank so much Gret, I'd definitely recommend it and its a goodie for wearing around kiddies.
DeleteYou should add this to Rae's spring top sewalong flickr group - any tops you've sewn since March 1 are eligible! ;) And thanks for your sweet comment on mine. You've definitely inspired me to sew more for myself!!
ReplyDeleteI was just wondering whether that would be good form lol.
DeleteYou look so chic and lovely! Ill have to buy that pattern too!
ReplyDeleteThanks Justine! I've been checking your sewing out too and always interested to see the clothes you sew for yourself.
DeleteI'm a little late here but I've just found your lovely blog (via Julia Bobbin). This blouse is so gorgeous! You've inspired me to want to make something similar. Totally with you on the wearable wardrobe thing - currently running a sewing blogger challenge which is about just that, celebrating sewing patterns that you can wear every day, not just the fancy dresses with pretty bows and no walking room. Ooh and the trousers thing - although I'm determined to get over my trouser fear this year and finish at least one pair that fits!
ReplyDeleteHi Tilly! Haha well thats okay because I only recently discovered you! I've been following a couple of the OWOP's on blogs and it seems like such a great challenge...only I'm strapped finding enough time to sew one version of a garment, let alone a week's worth. I was just reading your profile yesterday and we've got a similar sewing story...self-taught, vintage loving, relatively new sewers. I don't know any long term sewers either!
DeleteIt's gorgeous!! One of the nicest versions of this pattern I've seen! What size did you cut out, if you don't mind me asking??
ReplyDeleteHi Nettie thankyou! I cut out a small and its a good fit but I'll move the bust darts down an inch next time. I probably could have got away with a medium as well. Hope that helps?
DeleteThis is beautiful! I love it!
ReplyDeletewhere did you buy this fabric??? I love it and this is exactly what I've been looking for!!
(Exhibit A: http://dinosaurgirlfashion.blogspot.co.il/2012/06/blog-post.html )
A fantastic blouse that's fits you perfectly!!!!
ReplyDelete