Minty Fresh Fashion
For Minty’s 30th birthday, back in November, I offered to make her a shirt. Since she’s a pretty conservative dresser, she requested something slightly outside her comfort zone.
At Superbuzzy, I found some beautiful Japanese cotton gauze in a bold-but-hopefully-not-flashy print, and got to work.
pattern: Simplicity 4077 (again)
fabric: Nani Iro, by Naomi Ito, “Fuccra Flowers” in steel blue
The biggest challenge was that the fabric is laid out like a painting, rather than an allover print. I mean, there is a repeated print, but it only repeats every 3 feet or some such thing. So cutting the fabric in a way that worked with the pattern was no easy feat (especially considering that I’d bought the bare minimum yardage).
Otherwise, this is much like other blouses I’ve made from the same pattern. Simple design, modern fit, button placket, etc.
I used the 3/4 sleeve version this time, with pleats and open cuffs …
… and placed the buttons in pairs down the front.
It fits perfectly, and Minty looks fab. Success!
Happy (belated) Birthday, hon!
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February 25th, 2008 at 5:53 am
Oh man, that’s another pattern I want to make! :o)
February 25th, 2008 at 6:22 am
Wow, I’ve got that pattern and never thought about that view.. Now that I’ve seen each version you’ve made, I might have to have my own collection of that pattern, too!
February 25th, 2008 at 7:46 am
It looks perfect. You did such an amazing job.
February 25th, 2008 at 7:56 am
It’s really beautiful!
February 25th, 2008 at 9:53 am
Oooooh, so pretty!
February 25th, 2008 at 11:21 am
Just gorgeous! I love all the simple and classic details!!!
February 25th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Fantastic! It’s really lovely!
February 25th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
I can only hope to be half as good at sewing one of these days. That really is gorgeous!
February 25th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
What a great shirt! You are one super talented woman : )
February 25th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Wow, I really enjoy the double button placement thingy. Something I would never have thought of, but something I will definitely consider (I’m such an idea stealer). That is, if I can ever dig my sewing machine out from all the yarn I have strewn about.
Great shirt, it suits Minty really well!
February 25th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
that is beautiful! like a work of art!
February 25th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
It turned out fabulously!
February 25th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
It really is quite deeply fab.
February 25th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
It’s fabulous!
I never thought of making a blouse using double gauze… no that I could…
February 25th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Nice, the pattern is so versatile! It fits perfectly!
February 25th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
it’s gorgeous and looks perfect on Minty! I love that fabric and I love the buttons-in-pairs detail. Gorgeous!
February 25th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
I’ve been admiring the photos on flickr, the double buttons are my favorite part! You are such an incredible seamstress!
February 25th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
It is, hands-down, the most amazing thing I own (not just clothing). I will cherish it always! I couldn’t love it more. Thank you.
February 25th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
wow, that is just GORGEOUS! beautiful job pam!
February 25th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
This is really, really fabulous. Great job!
February 25th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
that’s gorgeous. I love the sleeves!
February 25th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Sewing with gauzy fabric sounds so scary! It looks so, so beautiful though. Those gathered sleeve thingies are just awesome.
February 25th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Why Pam, I never knew you were Bi-Craftual.
Nice job, the shirt looks amazing!
February 25th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
It’s fabulous! I really like the added detail of the button placing. Yay for sewing!
February 25th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Just call me a copycat…I’m gonna have to run to Joann Fabrics to get that pattern!
February 25th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
G O R G E O U S !!! I would have loved to have a friend like you
Tora.
February 25th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
This is the shirt that makes me wish I could sew clothes. I think I will find my way to Jo-Ann’s today and see if I can score the pattern. This shirt (work of art, really) is beyond fabulous. Really.
February 25th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
I went right out on my lunch break and bought that pattern! Do you have any recommendations for shirting fabric? I’m having a really hard time finding anything cute.
February 25th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
It’s excuisite! How much fabric did you use. I think I’m a 8 or 10…
February 25th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Um, I’m just going to second every comment that’s been made ’cause that shirt is just WONDERFUL!
February 25th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
Oh I just love Superbuzzy, and you are so talented!
February 25th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
Beautifully done!!
February 26th, 2008 at 12:42 am
wow, you are a damn good friend! that is beautiful, and it fits her perfectly!
February 26th, 2008 at 12:48 am
It looks *fantastic*!
You are one very generous friend and Minty is super lucky!
February 26th, 2008 at 1:04 am
How fitting that the fabric you describe as being “laid out like a painting” was used to make such a beautiful and utterly wearable work of art. Lucky Minty!
February 26th, 2008 at 2:50 am
So beautiful!
February 26th, 2008 at 3:08 am
omgawd!!!!!
it’s sooooo effing pretty!
February 26th, 2008 at 3:46 am
Just brill! I love the paired buttons *makes mental note* And this might sound weird, but I have never met anyone (outside my family) with the same last name!
February 26th, 2008 at 5:44 am
Exquisite!
February 26th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Gorgeous!!!
February 26th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Where did you get the terrific label with your name on it?
Beautiful blouse!
February 26th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
lovelovelovelovelove
It is simply beautiful and you did a perfect job. I will be buying this pattern for sure!
February 26th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
My goodness, what a beautiful blouse! *This* is why I want to learn how to really use my sewing machine…you just can’t find stuff like that at the stores.
February 26th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Oh man! I think this is my favorite of all the ones you have made. I love the sleeves.
February 26th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Oh wow! It’s gorgeous, and your sewing skills are fantastic as well. I was pointed here from Minty’s blog, so hello!
February 26th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Your sewing skills AMAZE me! The blouse is gorgeous!!
February 26th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
This one is my very favorite of all. Just lovely.
February 26th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
gosh, that fabric is really gorgeous. I like the variations you have up on Flickr too. I’m jealous of your sewing skills!
February 26th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Beautiful. I think you got the cutting spot-on. And as has been said, your details are wonderful.
February 27th, 2008 at 12:16 am
Minty’s one lucky gal to have a pal like you. That shirt is fabulous, I think you fit her specifications perfectly!
February 27th, 2008 at 1:18 am
it is just so fabulous, pam. wow.
hehe
i told E that you raised the bar on the whole friendship thing. now i have to weave her something when i visit her in april!
February 27th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Oh - I have that pattern, but have never used it! It’s amazing how the fabric choice just changes everything.
February 27th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Just stopping by from Minty’s blog. The blouse is gorgeous!
February 28th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Gorgeous! It looks like a perfect fit and is just stunning!
February 28th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
what a sweet present - very nice work!
February 28th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
This shirt is awesomeness in fabric form. The sleeves, from poof to cuff, have me smitten! I heart it so much that I ran off to buy some of that fabric, hopefully I can do it justice!
March 1st, 2008 at 10:56 am
Such a funky shirt!
March 4th, 2008 at 1:58 am
Beautiful fabric, Pam, and that pattern shows it off so well. I also like the buttons in pairs. Minty looks great in it too!
March 8th, 2008 at 5:26 am
Yeah, cutting is a challenge with those fabrics, eh? Was that print aligned to the cross-grain as well? Fantastic job.
April 5th, 2009 at 9:33 am
The problem with the one I made is that with their suggested button placement it gaps over the bust. For some reason I never thought (until now) to just add more buttons! In fact, I had debated between two different color buttons that both looked great with the print, so I think I’ll just add the other ones to the mix! Thanks for the solution to my problem.