Harper Blouse

Pattern: Harper Blouse - Spit Up & Stilletos
Fabric: Something polyester from Colorado Fabrics - I honestly have no idea what this fabric is made up of, it's pretty drapey & shifty though

I made my first 'summery' top or blouse as I like to think of it this past weekend and I really like how it turned out. I picked up this fabric last fall when I was at Colorado Fabrics down in Denver and I had been contemplating making a dress, maxi skirt, or top. I'm usually not one for busy fabrics but to me this felt summery and fun while still being work appropriate. It is sheer and you'll have to excuse my bra peeping out in the pictures above. I wore this outfit to work yesterday, with a shirt underneath, but didn't have time to photograph it so I threw it on this morning, with no shirt underneath, in order to take some quick pictures. 

The pattern was really straight forward and easy to follow. I french-seamed my seams so that I wouldn't have any exposed insides. I really like the neckline as well - would you call it a V-neck? It's not as deep as a traditional v-neck. I made my own bias tape out of the fabric and used it to finish the arms and make the waist-belt. I think using contrasting bias binding for the belt and armholes would be fun to try on a solid version of this.

As far as changes go I think I would make it a 1/4" wider on the back piece in the shoulder area and 1'4" wider right at the bust. There's no obvious stretching or pulling lines it just felt a little tight to me. Because this was such a simple top I can see myself making a ton more in other fun fabrics. I'm pretty sure I'm going to wear this a ton this summer. It also looks nice worn with a cardigan - so office appropriate in the summer time when the air conditioning is blasting. I think it would be easy to extend the hem and turn this into a fairly simple dress as well.

Pattern: Harper Blouse - Spit Up & Stilletos
Fabric: Something polyester from Colorado Fabrics - I honestly have no idea what this fabric is made up of, it's pretty drapey & shifty though

I made my first 'summery' top or blouse as I like to think of it this past weekend and I really like how it turned out. I picked up this fabric last fall when I was at Colorado Fabrics down in Denver and I had been contemplating making a dress, maxi skirt, or top. I'm usually not one for busy fabrics but to me this felt summery and fun while still being work appropriate. It is sheer and you'll have to excuse my bra peeping out in the pictures above. I wore this outfit to work yesterday, with a shirt underneath, but didn't have time to photograph it so I threw it on this morning, with no shirt underneath, in order to take some quick pictures. 

The pattern was really straight forward and easy to follow. I french-seamed my seams so that I wouldn't have any exposed insides. I really like the neckline as well - would you call it a V-neck? It's not as deep as a traditional v-neck. I made my own bias tape out of the fabric and used it to finish the arms and make the waist-belt. I think using contrasting bias binding for the belt and armholes would be fun to try on a solid version of this.

As far as changes go I think I would make it a 1/4" wider on the back piece in the shoulder area and 1'4" wider right at the bust. There's no obvious stretching or pulling lines it just felt a little tight to me. Because this was such a simple top I can see myself making a ton more in other fun fabrics. I'm pretty sure I'm going to wear this a ton this summer. It also looks nice worn with a cardigan - so office appropriate in the summer time when the air conditioning is blasting. I think it would be easy to extend the hem and turn this into a fairly simple dress as well.