1940s Heirloom Blouse

This was a super fun project, and unusual for me. I made it toward the end of my pregnancy, so couldn't get proper photos until recently, but now I can share it with you.

 

After watching some online classes on heirloom sewing, which I told you about earlier, I was dying to try some of the techniques I learned about, so I decided to make an heirloom sewing sampler blouse and practice some of what I'd learned.

I had a thrifted piece of vintage fabric in my stash, lighter weight than quilting cotton. It was just enough for a blouse, so it was the perfect match, and a very nice fabric to work with.

 

The original 1940s pattern I chose did call for fine tucks in the shoulder, but instead of doing it the way they said, I used my pin tuck foot and double needle, drawing a slanted line with a washable marker where the tucks were supposed to end on the pattern.

 

I had a lot of trouble with my thread breaking, so it was quite a long, painstaking process to get all those pin tucks done, but I really like how it looks. I think my Rocketeer will do a better job with the twin needle, but it's having issues right now so I am still stuck with a modern machine for the time being.

 

The front panel was supposed to be sewn in place, but I made it snap on one side to allow for nursing access, and that worked out quite well. I like how I can still nurse in it without having a button-down style. The front edge was finished and then the finished panel tacked in place. I made my own baby piping (also using the pin tuck foot) to trim the front.

 

For the front panel I used the Cathedral Window technique, with inserted lace. It turned out really pretty and not terribly time consuming, though of course it took a lot more time than a plain panel would have. Heirloom sewing is definitely done for the enjoyment of it, and the finished project - not for instant gratification!

 

For the sleeves I did two new techniques - joining lace to rickrack, and inserting lace. It would have been a lot more delicate if I'd used actual heirloom lace, which is very fine and cobwebby cotton lace, but I wanted to practice with something less expensive so I used stuff from my stash. 

It still turned out very pretty, I think! 

 

The pattern gave me all the main pieces to work with, but I made enough changes to it that I only vaguely followed the instructions. Because I couldn't fit it to me, I had to guess at the size. It turned out too big at the waist (funny how that works when you are pregnant and think, "I never was that small! :-), so now I have to decide if I should alter it, or leave it as is since it needs to be worn tucked in anyway.

 

I didn't have too many skirts in my closet that it would go with, so I pulled out my white 1930s skirt from last year to give it one quick wearing this summer. Navy accessories pick up the blue of the blouse, though the decades are a bit mixed up.

 

I definitely have plans to incorporate more heirloom sewing in future projects, and have all sort of ideas of how to add it in to some of my planned upcoming queue - especially pin tucking! But I have not had time for much sewing since the new baby, so it may be a while before I can experiment some more. 

I really like how the little details take it up a notch from my standard me-made garments. It was fun to take a little more time and effort, yet still have a relatively quick project to keep me from procrastinating. Some of these techniques really are timeless, and a great addition to a seamstress's arsenal!

Comments

[Johanne Kemp]

Stunning! Lovely work & so detailed. The whole outfit looks wonderful.

[Rebecca Young]

Another superb outfit - I love it!

[Kristina Suko]

Such lovely work!
xo
Kristina
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