Hooray! Gertie's portrait blouse

Thank you for all your birthday wishes for Megan. I read them to her and she smiled the whole way through.

I received this book for my birthday two years ago and have just got round to reading it properly. In fact I have read it cover to cover over the last two weeks. The techniques and information are so inspiring. If only I had read it ages ago, when I received it from my next door neighbour, I could have solved a great many of my vintage pattern woes.

I cut out the portrait blouse in the summer when I cut out a peasant style blouse in the same fabric from Minerva. I did that bagging-up-a-load-of-garments thing that I do.

Image from Gertie's book - not me

My own organisation overwhelms me at times! This is what the bag contained when I opened it this week, notes included...It always feels like 'I don't remember doing this', but I must have done it because there it all was.

It was a really easy make. I made one alteration. I made flat darts on the front instead of tucks which made it look a bit strange on the front to me. I wanted a sleeker finish.

The fabric is a slinky,silky fabric from Minerva Crafts.I tried to get a pattern placement 'swirl' in the centre.

I finished the sleeve edges with hand sewn bias binding which I made myself. There is an invisible zip in the side. Definitely worth a cotton version I think.

Thanks for looking Jo x