Wednesday 19 January 2011

My 'Mad Men' Blouse - Homemade!

During one of my first weeks at uni, I bought a length of delicate floral fabric from a market stall. The fabric waited in my room for the whole semester, desperate to be turned into something! I always had a blouse in mind for it, and I wanted to try out a slightly more pointed collar, à la Mad Men. Anyway, I found the perfect solution when I went to the Clothes Show - an amazing Maudella dress pattern, tucked away in a box of other retro designs in the new 'Sknitch' zone.

I had to adapt the pattern to turn it into a blouse - creating an overlap at the front for the buttons and getting rid of the back zip. I was pretty surprised when it turned out that the blouse actually fitted - it's the most complicated thing I've made, so I'm quite proud!

I decided to be bold and go for bright pink stitching down the sides of the buttons, then added the thin ribbons around the cuffs.
What do you think? I feel a bit like Peggy Olson when I put it on!

I'm in two minds about how to style it - here, I've gone for a land-girl-meets-librarian look, but perhaps a skirt would be better? I might try it out with a matching bow tied around the collar :).

Sadie xxx

40 comments:

Svenja said...

Well done! The collar is beautiful!

In Palace said...

omg lookss so god!

http://inpalace.blogspot.com

Diana said...

Wow..wish I could do something like that! I love the print of the blouse, and it looks so cute with the red cardi!

Unknown said...

Gosh that's so impressive! It does look really complicated to make - but the results are gorgeous!

Mirka said...

Wow, I always admire when people make a DIY piece of clothes. This blouse is amazing! And you look incredibly cute in it :)

Sara Downton said...

wow, it look fantastic! i love the print and the detail you added. great job!

Anonymous said...

beautiful

franklyn.spence said...

well done! great pattern.xx

www.iamhere81@blogspot.com

Ruth said...

This is so cute!
Every post you do is so beautiful. :)

Unknown said...

So cute *_*


Marc.

Jessica said...

awwwwwww the blouse is lovely!!!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful blouse, I love the collar! I think the blouse would look great with a skirt, but it's really nice with the pants too. A floral skirt could look really good, if you could get the right clash, if that makes sense :)

Iris / London Fashion Diary said...

wooow this is amazing, you are so talented a making clothes, I adore this outfit!!
please make a blouse for me? :D

xx Iris

The Quick Red Fox said...

Gorgeous Sadie, well done- I really need to improve my sewing skills! Think it would indeed look awesome with a big pussybow tied around the neck x

the girl in the bowler hat said...

You're so talented with a sewing machine! I couldn't even manage to follow the simplest of patterns! It's lovely :) And I love how you're wearing it, I'd maybe wear it with a jumper and a bow and a skirt with socks and brogues!
:)

xxxx

Victoria / Justice Pirate said...

I can't believe you made that! it's so pretty! Very lovely!!!! It WILL be my modest fashion inspiration for tomorrow (posted today's already) on http://rubyeyedokapi.tumblr.com and in a few days on my own blog. You should be very very very proud as You said you are for making this. You have put it together with these other outfit pieces really well too! lovely.

Hannah | The Outfit Repeater said...

Wonderful job on the blouse!! Oh my, it turned out so lovely. What luck that you would find that pattern.
You styled it up beautifully. :)

olivia grace said...

so beautiful, you're so lucky you're so talented at making things! :) xx

Anonymous said...

I love the fact that you make your own clothes according to your love of things mod and generally vintage. It turned out really well, adorably so :)

Nicola said...

It looks gorgeous with those trousers and that cardi! I would be so proud of myself if I had made that.

Katie Gilbert said...

I love your pants and the color of your cardigan - a very nice combination.

http://paperround.blogspot.com

Sarah with an "h" said...

It's super cute! You did a really great job on it. And it looks cute the way you styled it. Can't wait to see what else you do with it. :)

:o)Sarah
restlessromantic.blogspot.com

Leanne Flavell said...

really cute! I have that fabric in different colours! I have a couple questions for you.. 1) where did you get your trousers from? 2) Where are the best places in Birmingham to buy fabric!? xox

j said...

omg I just found your blog and I couldn't stop reading it until I read it all. I absolutely LOVE your style and you're too gorgeous to exist, I think I'm in love ^^

Paige Rhianne said...

You have a lovely blog here.
Love the outfit!
Im dying for some trousers like that.

http://www.gingerrsnap.blogspot.com/

Schmidt said...

Oh hot tamales, why are you so talented? My mom just tried to teach me how to sew a few weeks ago, and man I can't even sew a straight line! Hah, the blouse is truly beautiful, and it just goes so well with the trousers and the cardigan. I absolutely love your blog, and I cannot wait for more!

xoxo Tami at Tamijam.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

You always have such adorable outfits - the blouse is so cute. . and those glasses are lush.ck :) x

ps I've nominated Hello Mr Fox for an award - see here: http://pkjb.wordpress.com/2011/01/22/im-a-little-teapot/

Estefany @ The Helmet Head said...

I love your blouse!
So delicate and sweet.
I'm new to your blog and I'm already loving it.

Xo
Estefany

kate maggie said...

You are amazing! I am such a huge fan of your blog..this is my first time visiting and im so glad I found it today :) You are lovely!! I love this blouse that you made. I have piles upon piles of fabric just sitting in my room waiting to be made into something. You have inspired me to get sewing! x

Bibi said...

such an awesome blouse you must have really good sewing skills tehe. the collar is just perfect. i have a few old patterns i found in a charity shop, one for a night dress and the other for a coat this is making me want to get to and sew them.

northwest is best said...

Nice work! The pink stitching makes it more contemporary. I was working for Oxfam in the Sknitch bit of the Clothes Show - there were some good stalls in that area. I bought a book of vintage knitting patterns, and I'm making a pair of lacey socks from it.

Tilly said...

Oh wow it looks beautiful on you! I get so lazy with my sewing projects and end up leaving half finished dresses with pins sticking out everywhere!

I love how you styled it too :) X

Anonymous said...

Really wonderful!! Great sewing job ^_^ I love this print!!
Now i'll start to search some retro patterns and begin my DIY clothes *O*

Looove
Momo

Gem said...

Great outfit, I'm a librarian and you would totally blend in with us in work with that outfit :)
The blouse would look fab with a high waisted skirt too.
Love your blog
xx

natalie said...

I love it! You look adorable. :)

QuiteQuaint said...

i just found your blog after reading your interview on 'dirt on your new shoes' i loved your photographs.
This shirt looks lovely and so well made, im sure if i had a go it would be a lot wonkier! my mum has a huge case full of vintage clothing patterns, you've inspired me to go and have a rummage.
I think the way you've styled it looks lovely.

Patricia said...

Oh, it's so lovely and Peggy Olson-esque! Like you'd be right at home with a typewriter and bump-it in your hair.

xyz said...

Gorgeous look and great photos!

Anonymous said...

Wow that's so cute! I wish I could sew!

Anonymous said...

Damn, Mad-Men-ish indeed! Your sewing prowess is enviable.

Xo,
Sarz