This week was my mother’s birthday, and I could think of no better gift than a custom-made blouse.
I found this beautiful blue and white embroidered eyelet at Mood Fabrics in New York City. It’s cotton and airy and perfect for late spring and summer. (This particular embroidered eyelet seems to be sold out, but you can see others available online here.) One of the great things about this embroidered eyelet is that it’s light enough for a blouse but sturdy enough to be used for more substantial garments, like a jacket or skirt.
I used Simplicity 2339, a contemporary blouse pattern, as a starting point, but I made a lot of changes. My mother didn’t want vertical darts nor a collar and only 3/4 sleeves (I did include the side darts for shaping.). There were many fitting adjustments needed to accommodate her shoulders and back. I also redrafted the sleeve to give her extra ease in back where she needs it. The result is a simple front-buttoned top that lets the fabric take center stage.
To add interest, I finished the edges of the bottom hem and sleeves by trimming along the flower petals, resulting in a finish that’s delicate and soft-looking. (To prevent fraying of the embroidered edges, I reinforced them with Fray Check, which you may or may not know is liquid nylon; I always use it to reinforce my buttonholes.)
In place of a collar, I added a simple neck facing made from white cotton batiste. It keeps the neckline crisp and neat.
I love the way this top turned out and my Mom is delighted to have a new addition to her summer wardrobe that’s custom-made. I still have some of this eyelet left so I may make a short sleeve shirt for myself. Maybe I’ll start a mother/son outfit trend!
See you next month!
