I’ve realised that this year, I’ve worn a lot of jersey tops. They’re so easy to wear, wash and not necessarily iron before wearing again! But I love the smart look of a nice blouse too, and one I can wear pretty much all year round sounds perfect to me! Recently, I “discovered” a new fabric shop. Someone I follow on Instagram had posted in her stories, a delicious looking pile of recent online purchases from a little independent shop in London, Rainbow Fabrics.
Of course, I had to take a peek at their IG page, stories and website and ended up buying a few metres of different fabrics. Then, 2 weeks ago, I saw some fabulous fabrics turn up in their stories, and headed straight to the website to nab some for myself! Bear in mind – I’ve yet to make up the previous purchase! This was becoming a dangerous shop to follow. Anyway, I bought 7m of different viscoses on the weekend Boris announced the impending lockdown – as you do.
The fabric arrived nice and fast and I knew immediately what I was going to make! Lets start at the beginning, shall we? The first one I wanted to make was another version of a vintage Vogue pattern I made last year. I just had a feeling that the pattern would suit the print of the viscose.
I made the same adjustments to the pattern as I had the last time, but this time I left out the zip in the left side seam. I really didn’t need it! The construction was the same, French seams throughout and a little fine sheer polyester fusible on the neckband facings, cuffs and the slip on the sleeves. Buttons are from the stash, a little faux leather button for the front and flat amber coloured buttons for the cuffs.
This is such a lovely pattern, and so nice to wear! I love it in this print, which I was a little worried would be too busy for me to wear. I have a habit of loving and buying fabric that, once made up I just can’t wear! But I think this time I’ve got it right, and this stuff is going to be fabulous in my wardrobe, the colours work with all the trousers and jeans – and jumpers! As the pattern doesn’t take as much fabric as I bought (2m), I have a bit left over that I’m hoping I’ll be able to cut a camisole out of. I’ve not checked yet, so at the moment, that’s just a hope. But it won’t go to waste, that’s for sure!
So what else have I bought from Rainbow fabrics? Well, I got 3m of striped viscose, 2m each of rust viscose jersery, rust plain viscose, and black and white spot viscose and 2m of rust cotton twill! The sewing plans are developing….
THE COMPULSIVE SEAMSTRESS 
The print is lovely and it really suits your colouring, it’s a great fitting blouse :).
Thank you!
Wow! Wow! wow!
Great pattern, great fabric, great look on you and a beautiful (rust) combo to come. I’m looking forward to seeing what you make.
I always used to use caramel and navy, now it’s rich rust instead! Never thought I’d be into “orange”!
It’s lovely. Great match of pattern and fabric.
Thank you!
You have a real knack for making vintage styles look modern and fresh!
Thanks! I think it’s down to fabric choice, and styling! I’ll never be an elegant 50s lady! 😀
What a great pattern, Anne, and an excellent fabric choice – all your favourite colours! Am also eager to see the rusts you’ve chosen. That’s one of my fav colours! Had a peek over at Rainbow – there was (still is?) a little fabric store named Rainbow in Chicago that had great fabrics, so I couldn’t resist… Good idea to get stocked up for your current situation. As we might be doing similar things more generally over here, might be doing the same. 😉 Take care💕💕
I’m gettting there, I need to get some patterns traced and toiles before I get carried away! Stay safe on your end too x
❤️
It’s lovely! And I’m NOT going to go look at Rainbow fabrics. NOT!
I dare you….. 😂
NO!
That’s a great fabric haul! And the blouse is lovely.
Thank you!
Such a beautiful blouse. The fabric is gorgeous.
I love everything about this blouse and I love following your website! The colors are absolutely gorgeous, perfect combo and a lovely match for your coloring. The angled darts in front look strange to me on the pattern, but I see you have stitched them down a bit further and with the fall of the fabric it makes sense and looks right. You always look like a million bucks!
It’s a pleat that’s stitched, releases the fullness over the bust rather nicely!
Lovely fabric and a new shop to me. I will definitely be checking them out on Instagram.