Chocolate & cream

What would you do to prepare a piece of vintage silk for cutting and sewing?  Why, of course - throw it in the washer, then the dryer and surprise, surprise - it survived.  And how do I know that this piece was vintage? - when was the last time you actually saw 27 inch wide fabric?  I know that by the time that I was learning to sew, this width was already considered "old", and that was late '60's.  This piece probably came from my mother-in-law's stash, and it did need a wash.  (being so old, 'n all)  I barely managed to get this sleeveless blouse out of the piece.

I wanted a ruched standing collar.  Where I got that idea I have no clue - probably saw something similar in n old movie.  I just keep filing ideas in the old brain when I watch movies, look at magazines.  Can't draw to save my life.

Started with Vogue 7317, View C (no bow).

Widened the shoulder seams, because on a previous version, I found such a high cut shoulder to be rather uncomfortable (I really have hike those straps up to my neck, which is not a feeling I happen to like).

Now for the collar

- I widened the collar by 3 times the finished width, gathered it on the ends, in the middle and somewhere in the vicinity of the shoulder seams.  Stitched it down to a piece of interfacing, which in reality was a piece of broadcloth.  (Broadcloth makes great interfacing, at times.)  Don't know if this is the way it's "really" done, but it worked.  Then proceeded to put the collar together somewhat like a shirt cuff.  (Thanks, Sherry, for the super way of finishing the ends of cuffs - worked like a charm in this instance.)  Added loops and buttons (it should be hooks, according to the pattern).

As for the buttons - had some really cute little brown triangles.  Measured and measured for the loop size.  Thought it would work, but then I had an awful time getting the buttons through the loops.  I just couldn't imagine myself struggling to button and unbutton this darn blouse, especially at the back of my neck, so I did the sane thing - went to the store and bought smooth buttons that just glide through the loops.  Went with bias strip for armhole finishing - I so dislike those floppy facings.  And of course - must have keepers, because, heaven forbid should those straps show!

What should have been a very easy project, became a little fiddly with the collar details, but it's done.  Best part - it's machine wash and dry!  Easy care.  Irons like a dream, too.

Happy Canada Day!  Now I'm off to watch fireworks - from my father's hospital room.  The view should be spectacular from the 9th floor.