In praise of D cup patterns

I'm feeling rather guilty for not blogging, but frankly I haven't have much time for myself of late. I've completed two blouses in the last week. One I love, the other is lets say a 'work in progress'. I have another stalled blouse and about five more in my head.

Let's start on a promising note. I love my black and white striped cotton blouse. I used Simplicity 2614 which includes separate pattern pieces for A, B, C & D cup sizes. I cut a size 14 D cup and achieve a perfect fit without any adjustments. If you are currently doing FBAs on garments, support Simplicity and McCalls by buying these patterns. Hopefully they'll realise how viable the market for this product is.

The pattern calls for the back and lower front to be cut on the bias and the upper front cut on the straight grain. Working with vertical stripes I reversed this plan, cutting only the tie and the upper front on the bias. I also added black satin piping at the shoulder seam and on the cuff band. I love the fact that this blouse has no buttons or zips to contend with. I completed the whole garment in about two hours once it was cut. Matching the stripes and working out the correct angles was a bit tricky. The only change I will make to this pattern for future versions is to add 0.5cms to the sleeve band which is slightly tight around the 'tuckshop lady arms'. The skirt I'm wearing is my Vogue skirt I made last year and have worn and worn and worn.

They say every corporate wardrobe needs a crisp white blouse. Hence, my second completed blouse - the BWOF July 07, 106. I used white stretch cotton sateen - which gives a nice crisp look but is a little too heavy for a collared blouse. Initially I left off the front tie but it looked so plain and frumpy that I unpicked and inserted them. I actually pulled this out of the wash basket to photograph for the blog-it does look a little bit nicer than this photo presents. If I make this blouse again, I will take it in a little more, bring up the line of shoulder and change the sleeves. A lighter fabric is also a must.

Meanwhile my other BWOF silk blouse is cut, half sewn and sits on the sewing table. I blame KBenco for blogging about how unflattering the positioning of the gathering is on the blouse. She has me thinking...what to do.

And finally before I hit the sack...It is my blog's first birthday. I have completed about 26 garments including a fabulous formal gown. Of the garments I've made for myself, I wear about half of them regularly, a few irregularly and I've put some of my earliest work back into the sewing room for remaking.

Goodnight...and thanks for all your support and cameraderie. You've kept me sewing.

And look out for more blouses. I need about 10 corporate blouses as I have none...well two now!