My DIY | Wrap Ruffled Peplum Blouse

Good morning everyone! Firstly - who’s excited for the eclipse this afternoon? Secondly? Raise your hand if you’ve been singing “Total Eclipse of the Heart” for the past week or so? No? Just me? 

Today I’m really excited to show you the blouse I made last week - a wrap blouse with peplum and ruffle elements. I did made some minor changes to the construction of the garment, so let me tell you all about it! 

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Sewing Notes | McCalls 7602

I picked up the pattern during one of JoAnn Fabric’s 99 cent sales and I already had the polka dot fabric on hand. I used both the right and wrong sides of the print and I love how the subtle contrast enhances the design of this piece. I don’t know the kind or content it is but I’m guessing it’s a rayon. I was surprised it was so easy to sew! I lined it using a similar navy fabric I picked up elsewhere.

I cut a size 12 with the D cup option and used the tissue paper pattern as is for this piece. 

The first thing I changed was to convert the faux wrap into an actual wrap. I created long ties in the self fabric and attached them to the smaller side seams of each front bodice piece. I left a small opening on one side seam to allow the under side of the bodice and it’s corresponding tie a place to exit the blouse. I also omitted the back zipper, as the wrap allows for an easy way to get this piece on!

Another thing I did differently was to line the entire garment, including the peplum and ruffle. I did this because I didn’t want to fiddle with a narrow hem on so many curved pieces. It also gave the final garment a really polished look inside and out. Unfortunately it weighed down the ruffle a bit so I added some hooks and thread tacks to help it out a little. Also my chest is huge and adding the extra closure helped not show off too much cleavage. 

I would definitely sew this again - maybe in a pretty eyelet cotton for summer or another rayon that could layer with a turtleneck for fall and winter (very 70s school teacher, right??) If you’ve made this piece, I’d love to see your version!

To get a sneak peak of my next project, check out my instagram stories! I’m making a bit of a mini collection this season. I started with these jeans and now this top. All of the pieces sort of work back together and with what I have in my closet. I’m excited!“

What I Wore | Hey Shortie!

WhatIWore: Good (foggy!) morning to you! It sure feels like October when you wake up to a day like this. I didn’t realize how chilly it was outside when I picked out this outfit, but luckily it’s the kind of day that warms up perfectly by noon. I hope? 

When I pulled this dress out of the package, I thought whoa! that’s short! But upon trying it on, I think it might be my favorite maternity dress yet! It’s kind of crazy to say something meant to accommodate a growing belly could be so slimming, but this frock somehow does it! Nice!

It’s from a British company, Séraphine (a gift! cheers guys!) that I hadn’t heard of until I asked you all for recommendations on shops you liked for your own maternity clothes. I don’t have a lot of pieces from the UK, but when I wear them, I try to channel a style icon from across the pond. So in thinking what to pair with this, I thought what would Alexa Chung wear?! Over the knee boots? Ok! I like how there’s only a small amount of skin showing between the top of the boot and the hem, which keeps it from looking too young or sexy. Just a cute outfit to start the week! 

When: October 3, 2016

What:
Shades: Karen Walker
Bag: Coach (older style, similar here)
Dress: gift of Séraphine
Boots: Halogen from Nordstrom

Where: Coffee Shop

See Also: More ways I’ve styled these boots here and here. 

This outfit also kind of reminds me of what I wore years ago back when I was a single girl in Brooklyn and really getting into taking daily outfit photos. I mean, way way back. As in.. 947 pages back into my blog (from 2008!)

What I Wore | Shearling

WhatIWore: A couple weeks ago, Felix was off to his grandparents house early in the day, so I had some time to kill before Adam and I took a weekend trip to Michigan the following morning. So I thought to myself - why not make a new fall jacket? I have a hunch shearling is going to be popular soon and armed with a 60% off coupon, I hit up the fabric store (I used faux fabric, which was really easy to stitch). The other thing that had me motivated to make something quick is the new season of Project Runway. Every year I consider filling out the 17 page application and trying out, but I fear I can’t sew fast enough or that my pattern making skills aren’t there (in truth, when I’m doing a quick project like this, I prefer to use a pattern, in this case, Burda 6800) 

I finished the body by the end of the day, but it took me a week to fully complete the jacket. I did the final steps during nap time or with a “helper” (code for Felix sits next to me and I barely get anything done). All in all, I really like how it turned out!!  I omitted facings because the fabric is meant to look good on both sides. I also skipped a closure or any buckles or snaps, which I will definitely use the next time I sew this particular pattern with a less bulky fabric. But hey! It’s done, it’s wearable and it actually feels like fall outside! Win win win! 

When: September 27, 2016

What:
Shades: Karen Walker ‘Super Duper’ in crazy tort
Necklace: Madewell
Jacket: Self Made (altered from Burda 6800 base)
Sweater: Self Made (similar here and here)
Jeans: Jeans: AG ‘Stilt’, (non maternity here)
Boots: UGG (similar options here and here)
Bag: Frye (similar color/style)

Where: Coffee Shop

Underneath the faux shearling jacket, I’m wearing another homemade goodie - a Breton striped sweater I knit last year. Here’s the recap post and pattern info or see all of my knitting projects here. The rest of the outfit is pretty simple - my favorite pair of maternity jeans (regular sizes here) with some UGG boots and a Frye bag I bought at the Nordstrom Anniversary sale last year. This outfit makes me wish I had a Yellowstone/Jackson Hole vacation in the works! 

As always, if you like this post, please share with friends!

What I Wore | In Bloom

WhatIWore: I’m happy to say, spring is really, truly, FINALLY here! We had a gorgeous weekend and spent most of it outdoors. We were all over the place, but I’ll share more on that tomorrow! My new yellow circle skirt, remixed with a light sweater, jean jacket and comfy sandals were perfect for a full twelve hours of activity. 

When: April 11, 2015

What:
Shades: Karen Walker ‘Super Duper’
Mint Sweater: J.Crew
Jean Jacket: Anthropologie
Yellow Full Skirt: ModCloth
Bracelet: Self Made, DIY here
Shoes: Rockport, gift