Last of Summer Blouse from Minerva

Hello everyone and my new followers. This month in my Minerva Crafts post I have made a peasant style blouse that feels nothing like 'peasant'... The fabric is stunning.

This pattern is a vintage find from 1978. The t-shirt and skirt are a definite no from me but I handed over my £1 because I loved the top. It reminded me of the children's ones I had done from this pattern here.

 The pattern was easy. Two sleeves, a front and a back. I used my overlocker to finish and sew the seams and then made casings on my normal machine for the neck and the sleeves. 

I like to top stitch my elastic casings. It helps them lie flat and stops them looking like a pump bag on a garment! Sew the seam that makes the casing then press flat. Next sew 2/3mm from the edge of the fabric to make a neat edge instead of a baggy one.

There was some tacking required because it was a slinky, slippery customer but it is light and fluid. Perfect for light summer tops, Christmas party tops and it would make a beautiful dress with a drape like this or a skirt like this

The other technique that was useful with this fabric was using a blind hemming foot. If you have one, dig out your manual and have a go, it makes a beautiful neat hem only showing little stitch pick ups along the way. The reverse looks neat too.

If you like this fabric you can get it from Minerva crafts here and it comes in other colour ways too.

I have worn it to a 65th Birthday meal and to a raving drunk pub night and it suited both perfectly, but not with shorts obviously! Jeez, I need a haircut...

Happy Sewing, thanks Minerva. Jo xxxxx