Spring 2011: The 70's are back
Diane Von Furstenberg launches DIANE vintage collection
From 1975, a pattern from the "Marlo's Corner" collection.
I sewed view "B" with the upper yoke and where the there are gathers on the front below the yoke.
Last year, I sewed this shirt in a "Amy Butler Love Bali Gate Pink" cotton fabric that I purchased from fabric.com on Dec. 2009. I replaced the sleeve cuffs with flounces. Now I recall that there are gathers below the shoulders instead of the dreaded wrinkles or puckers.
From 1974, a bibbed front shirt from Butterick's See & Sew
I made the top last month in a "Hot Blossom Medallion Spring" cotton fabric that I purchased from fabric.com on Dec 2009. I shortened the sleeves, omitted the ruffled tab collar, and took in the seams.
Opening the bib front's neckline to reveal a "v".
Hopefully, I will wear any one of these when the opportunity arises during a possible upcoming 1970's themed day?
From La Vie 18 ($368 from Saks), a top with a bib front, but without the front gathers.
Piazza Sempione, $420, Saks
Burberry cotton tunic, $275 from Saks
Current Pattern with a 70's Groove
I made a top from this pattern a year ago.
"The elegant lace blouse, view A, features contrasting fabrics and also the contrast of a fitted body and full, gathered lower sleeves. The romantic blouse B, of lightweight, transparent fabrics, has delightful ruffles on front bands and collar."
For my first top from this pattern, I used a fabric called "Blossom Stretch Poplin Abstract Aqua/Light Olive/Olive" from fabric.com. The print is more vibrant than suggested by the photos. I would have felt more confident wearing this top if I had more successfully aligned the print of the fabric at the front..
I made view "A", replacing the two-piece "lantern" sleeves with one-piece slightly flared sleeves from view "B" I also skipped the gathered cuffs. I also wish that I had cut the left and front pieces separately to achieve symmetry with the fabric print.
Last year, I compared a Burda Style shirt that I made from the August 2009 issue, #103, the Lyrical Composition Blouse, sans the neck tie, to this Burda envelope pattern. I notice that they match up very closely, in terms of the bodice portion, including the waistline markings and vertical darts! Burda most likely has its own template for a basic shirt and this shirt seems to be drafted according to this template.
I originally cut out a "40" and made my usual upper back and waist petite adjustments. If I recall correctly, I spread each front dart an additional 1/4" at the widest section, which was not necessary, as seen by the front draping causing a "pleating" effect and the sides
Although the pattern is marked "average", the view that I sewed seemed straightforward , especially after having some experience with sewing shirts with collars and button closures.
Overall evaluation:
A nice shirt pattern with neck and sleeve options. I like the fit, classic style, and versatility of this pattern.
