The 'Blue Lace' Blouse

Sometimes I'll go fabric shopping with a little scrap of paper or print outs of my pattern requirements, for patterns that I have in my stash that have been 'calling' to me.  I knew I wanted to make another blouse so I brought the details for Colette's Violet blouse with me... ya know, just in case I found the right fabric.  I knew I wanted something neutral that would go with a lot and also be wearable for the summer.

I had never been to Hart's Fabric in Santa Cruz, but the hubby and I had decided to spend a day 'over the hill' (as South Bay locals refer to it) and spend some time paddle boarding and playing tourist.  I had seen Harts' online store and thought it was amazing, so I was super excited to check out their storefront.

It did not disappoint.

It's a decent size fabric store that was broken up into two main sections: home decor and apparel fabrics.  I spent my whole time either in the apparel section, or in front of their wall of buttons.  They had a great selection of fabric that I haven't been able to find locally.  Liberty of London, nice linens and apparel cottons, Japanese prints, and so much more.  I really had to reign in and luckily had my little folder of potential projects.  This blue fabric was one of my first finds and I pretty much wandered around the store with it the entire time.


The Facts


Fabric: A lightweight cotton swiss dot fabric that also had lace/eyelet type stripes running through it.  I really can't describe it better than the pictures show it, but it's nice and lightweight - perfect for the summer.  It almost has a linen feel to it.  I got it from Hart's Fabric in Santa Cruz during my first visit to the retail store. ~$20
Pattern: Colette's Violet, $0.  Second time using it.
Year: Contemporary
Notions: Buttons! From Hart's. I think I paid about $2 for all of them.
Time to complete: 4 hours
First worn: Over the weekend to a birthday bbq.
Wear again? Oh yeah! This'll be a summer staple.
Total cost: $22

I love how casual this blouse feels, but I think the quality of the fabric dresses it up a bit more.  So I could wear it with shorts or khaki's, or maybe a little fancier... to work perhaps?  I definitely have to wear a tank under it, due to the eyelet stripes.



The blouse was still easy the second time around, though I was tempted to omit the collar facings after working with the Banksia pattern.  I ended up making the pattern the same as before, but I added an inch in length.  I want the option to wear it tucked in without it coming out too easy, and to be able to raise my arms without giving a show of my non-flat abs.  I also tried to give the waist just a bit more shape.  I didn't want it snug but I do think this blouse tends to look a bit boxy. I love seeing how so many bloggers are modifying the waist to make it more fitted and feminine.

Anyways, it's a great blouse and I'm so happy to add yet another separate to my closet.  More like another blouse - I just don't have nearly enough.  But I'm slowly working on it!

What I Watched: The Three Musketeers (1993) and more Scrubs
The Three Musketeers was one of my favorite movies as a young teen.  It came out when I was still in grade school and I remember playing in the schoolyard with my girlfriends, pretending that we were sword fighting musketeers.  Yeah, I was a big goober.  I actually briefly took fencing in high school and have four years of French under my belt.  Do I attribute it to this movie?  Well, maybe only the first part.  The rest was just my teen crush on Chris O'Donnell.

Western Wear and a Banjo on my Knee

I'm trying to catch a Sew Weekly challenge at least once a month, but I usually have some other project that's taking all of my attention and focus.  When I saw this week's challenge was Western, I thought 'I could do that!' and instantly ran out to my local fabric store to pick up supplies.

I was hoping for a cute calico or paisley print, but in the end, I left with a gingham. Still cute, and gives me the Western feel that I was hoping for.  I also decided to try out one of the new Colette patterns that I had recently picked up - Violet - a cute, collared, blouse.

The expression on my face looks crazy. Sometimes I feel so un-photogenic.

I've gotten so comfortable with Colette patterns. They're so well written and constructed, and this one was no exception.  I think this was the last of the Colette patterns that I own that I had yet to try, so now I can start to go back and revisit some of my favorites, and see what's missing so I can complete my collection. 


I really enjoyed making this pattern and look forward to making another one, but next time in a cute, girly or lightweight fabric.  I've loved looking at everyone's variations to this pattern for inspiration.

Oh, and did I mentioned I've been learning to play the banjo?  I thought I'd add that to my photos to complete the look.  Now I can sit on my front porch in my new gingham blouse, and pluck at the strings to my banjo.

EDIT I keep forgetting to include the details of my garments! Here they are in a more organized fashion:

Fabric: Black and white gingham cotton.  Used about 2 3/8 yards as Sarai specified.
Pattern: Colette Violet, Version 1
Notions: 7 small black buttons. Accessorized with a banjo. ;)