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FPC Week 6: Polka dots and chiffon

Ah, chiffon. Such a light, ethereal, lovely fabric… and a total pain in the rear to sew. Nevertheless, when I saw these big irregular black and ivory dots, I knew I had to make a Jasmine for my challenge.

I really like the way a gathered sleeve looks in a sheer fabric. But of course sheers require some special attention, especially finishing the seam allowances since they show through. For this blouse, I did French seams throughout, except for the armholes, which are too curved for a French seam. Instead, I bound those seams with bias binding. Oh, and I omitted the facing pieces and used bias tape for facing the neckline, which is easy and looks awesome.

But enough about the blouse. Check out my new hat! This is what happens when you accompany your husband to the Goorin Bros shop after watching Breakfast at Tiffany’s the day before. You fall in love with a big, dramatic hat. Even though what you really need is a simple black cloche.

Outfit details:

Blouse: CP Jasmine in polka dot silk chiffon
Pants: Gap
Cardigan: J.Crew
Swan brooch: vintage
Tasseled loafers: vintage
Purse: vintage
Hat: Goorin Bros.

Sarai Mitnick

Founder

Sarai started Colette back in 2009. She believes the primary role of a business should be to help people. She loves good books, sewing with wool, her charming cats, working in her garden, and eating salsa.

Comments

Emily

October 14, 2011 #

Lovely blouse! The bias tape in armholes is so smart.

Sarai

October 14, 2011 #

Thanks! It’s a great solution for sheer garments. I’m going to reuse this technique on another project I have coming up soon.

Heather B

October 14, 2011 #

Great Outfit! I’m tempted to make a Jasmine in Chiffon now… and buy a swan brooch.

Sarai

October 14, 2011 #

I recommend stabilizer and some patience! I think cutting it out is actually the trickiest part with chiffon, and it would have gone much smoother if my rotary blade didn’t have a nick in it.

I love vintage brooches. I’d wanted a rhinestone swan ever since I saw this lovely Edwardian one on Erie Basin.

Alice

October 14, 2011 #

Gorgeous!! Did you use Sullivan’s to stabilize the chiffon before sewing it?

Sarai

October 14, 2011 #

I did! It still managed to slip and slide a bit, but the Sullivan’s definitely helps.

jen

October 14, 2011 #

ha, i literally just posted on my blog how much a pain in the butt it is to sew georgette and maybe i should have used a stabilizer and then i hop on over to read this! :D i really need to consult with your blog before doing anything new!

anyway, i LOVE your whole outfit. the contrast of the orange and black really suits you.

Sarai

October 14, 2011 #

Oh man, I have a georgette Peony planned for this challenge in the next couple weeks, but I think I might need to take a break from floaty fabrics for a week first!

jen

October 14, 2011 #

Oh, that would be lovely!

Melanie

October 14, 2011 #

Wow. Oh, wow. Wow.

Brielle

October 14, 2011 #

What a lovely blouse! And the hat…so perfect. Breakfast at Tiffany’s always makes me want to new pair of sunglasses and wear a little black dress everywhere. Hmmm….

Anyway, I always find your posts so inspiring. Thanks to you have I decided to update my wardrobe and sew things for me! :) Starting with your Peony pattern.

Oh, I second the bias binding in the sleeves….I like to use that on all my sleeves.
Have a great day!

Connie @ Daydream In Color

October 14, 2011 #

So pretty! I love the setting too! I’ll have to visit that hat shop sometime!

Sarai

October 15, 2011 #

Definitely stop in if you’re around that way… and they have other locations in other cities as well! The people there are quite friendly and knowledgeable about hats.

Holly T

October 15, 2011 #

Love that hat! You look like you stepped out of the pages of a Hercule Poirot mystery.

Sarai

October 15, 2011 #

Quite a compliment, I love Poirot!

Emilie

October 15, 2011 #

A hat shop?? I would be in heaven! (and my wallet would suffer severe damages…)
Great top, I always love polka dots!

Lavender

October 15, 2011 #

This is lovely! I’ve been planning on using chiffon for a Jasmine, but am tired of the fuss without using a stabilizer. Just ordered Sullivan’s last night! My husband is obsessed with Goorin Bros. hats – he has three maybe, and has apparently kept the women’s line a secret from me!

Sarah

October 15, 2011 #

Sarai, you are always so chic and well put-together! I love your swan brooch, the beautiful Jasmine, and seeing your tattoo peek through the sheer fabric. This is one lovely ensemble!

Ashley-refurl

October 15, 2011 #

Beautiful, beautiful outfit!

I’m laughing to myself b/c I recently made a chiffon blouse, my first time ever working with the fabric. Calling the results mediocre would be putting it mildly. ;) It makes me feel so much better to hear that you think it’s tough to work with as well. Any chance of a chiffon/sheer fabric blouse sew along in the future? Yours turned out so well, I’d love to know how you make it work.

Crystal

October 15, 2011 #

Wow, that blouse is perfection!

Alessa

October 16, 2011 #

How pretty the blouse is! I definitely know the feeling of falling in love with a hat… happened 3 times already this year…

Betty Scandretti

October 16, 2011 #

Those polka dots are perfect – what an inspiring ensemble! It would be equally gorgeous as a dress… thanks for sharing your lovely work!

emily

October 17, 2011 #

That is a seriously great hat on you!
And I love the blouse. And the orange. Well done.

Brandy Layton

October 18, 2011 #

Absolutely stunning, just purchased my new sewing machine so I will be back into the sewing world soon!

Rebecca

October 18, 2011 #

Super cute, I have to get that pattern!

Seraphinalina

October 18, 2011 #

Well two of my favourite things, polka dots and hats. I’m an absolute sucker for hats and I have a relatively large head so they can be hard to find. When I do find one that fits, I’m unable to walk away even if is frivolous.

Dentelline

October 18, 2011 #

Ton chemisier à pois est très joli! Belle réussite!
Have a good evening!

Zuzu

October 18, 2011 #

I was in Goorin Bros. just the other day! Their hats really are the perfect accessory.

Amy Brant

October 18, 2011 #

All you folks keep talking about the hat, the blouse, the pin. I really want to know about the shoes! In my day, the color was referred to as Brtish tan, or bright tan.

Sarai

October 18, 2011 #

I’ve never heard that term! The shoes are awesome and comfortable, probably from the 70s. Here’s a close up picture, so you can see the cute fringey goodness.

Nicole Morgenthau

February 20, 2013 #

And now I know that my initial inclination to do french seams was right. Thank you for the vote of confidence!!!