In preparation for moving house (if that actually happens), I have been trying to work my way through some fabrics in my stash and not add anything new! I’m dithering a bit about a couple of cuts that I haven’t settled on a pattern for, but this fabric was always going to be this blouse, so it was an obvious project to tick off my list and move from my sewing room to my wardrobe.
After making the Vivian Shao Chen Orchards dress pattern last year (and again last month), I was keen to try another of her patterns. The Nepheline blouse had been on my radar for a while and I was drawn to the beautiful details of the garment as well as the simple, wearable shape. Kate had a bit of destash in the autumn and gave me 1.5m of this deep green tencel twill which I knew would show off the ruffles and tucks perfectly, so I added the pattern to my #MakeNine2023 list!
I love the fit of my Orchards dress, so I was confident that the same size (2) in the blouse would work well for me and it does. It was a nice quick project to cut out and made good use of the yardage – there was very little fabric left! Vivian’s instructions are excellent and other than the ruffle (more on that in a minute), this was a straightforward and pleasurable sew.
I very rarely skip steps when sewing because they are there for a reason, so I dutifully stay-stitched my neckline and basted my ruffle when I was supposed to. However, after very carefully gathering it to exactly the right length stated in the pattern, I found it was too short. I don’t think I stretched out the neckline, but this would explain the discrepancy in length and I do feel like it’s a little wider than it should be. This has been exacerbated by the rather savage haircut I have just had – I just feel like there is an awful lot of décolletage on display here! The ruffle is super pretty though, even though it was an absolute bitch to sew.
I really love the buttons I used for this project – they look like tiny little galaxies and the pretty marbled colours look so good against the green fabric. I bought them at Duttons for Buttons in Harrogate when we visited with Patsy over Christmas and actually forgot about them for ages – I found them tucked in my purse in a little paper bag several weeks later!
Other than the slightly wide neckline I am really happy with my blouse! It’s a great fabric and pattern pairing and I love all of the details. I wore it to an in-person Fold Line meeting last week and got some nice comments from my lovely colleagues, which is always pleasing. My stash is down to 7 cuts now and I’m off to cut out another project this afternoon – I’m still dithering a bit, but I think it’s going to be another Merchant and Mills Ellsworth shirt… watch this space!
I love this! This pattern is on my list to make and you have just inspired me to get going on it! I love this neckline. It looks great on you. If you feel self conscious maybe wear a little necklace to take up some of the space? I also love your suggestions for a label lol!
I’m so pleased this has inspired you to make a start on your version of the blouse! That’s a good tip about the necklace – I’ll try that next time I wear it. 😊 I might get in touch with Kylie and the Machine and see if they will put my label idea in their next Sweary Sewist pack!