Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Refashioned Airelle blouse


I hope you're not tired of seeing Deer and Doe related stuff on this blog, because I've just begun! :)
For last week's challenge of The Sew Weekly, I took a second hand men shirt and turned it into an Airelle blouse.
I thought I was going to be in a minority of people taking an old garment and using a pattern to transform it, but it turns out most people did like me. I always look up to people sewing without patterns, I was a little ashamed to use a pattern for this challenge, but I guess I was idealizing the process of refashioning a bit too much.
Being my usual, distracted self, I forgot to take photos of the original shirt before I cut into it, but I guess everyone knows how a classic man shirt looks like, no big deal.

I cut the pattern in a size 38 and the fit is very good. It's not perfect overall just because the fabric of this shirt was a tiny bit too stiff for this design. I have made another Airelle blouse in a softer material and it feels a lot different, especially when I move.

This pattern is so full of lovely details: the gathering at the shoulders, the vertical darts, the collar, the back yoke. It's also super versatile: you can alter the collar shape, you can add or skip the piping, you can play with the sleeve length and get so many different takes on this lovely design.
I prefer to wear mine tucked in a high waisted skirt, but in these photos I decided to show that it also looks good as a casual shirt with jeans.

Speaking of which, can you spot something different than usual in my photos?
I think this is the least edited my photos have been for a very long time (if not ever), and I'm still wrapping my head around it.
I wanted to address this topic in this post, but I've decided to keep it separate, so... coming soon!

27 comments:

  1. i love the way you kept the placket down the back - really lovely refashion! i am intrigued to know what is different about your photos!

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  2. I love this! so clever! And the colours are great too! great find and awesome refashion!

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  3. Love the piping detail and the buttons up the back. This looks so wonderful, I cannot WAIT for the sewalong!

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  4. I love this! so cute! to be honest, the picture on the deer and doe site looks kind of stiff too, I was kinf of surprised that that was the fabric she chose to make the shirt in, I guess I was expecting a softer fabric like the ones Sarai uses for her Jasmine.
    I agree about the details! so cute and it can be dressed up or down. love it!

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  5. oh and I forgot to say that you look beautiful in these pictures. shows that you really are beautiful and don't need to alter your pictures!! ( I really mean it!)

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  6. Super cute! I would have never guessed that it was once a mens shirt :)


    -Ash P
    http://distractedashley.blogspot.com

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  7. C'est très joli! J'aime beaucoup le petit détail-surprise du boutonnage dans le dos! Très bonne idée!

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  8. Really cute! I love this on you! I can't get enough of the Deer & Doe patterns-- I'm so jealous! :)

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  9. The use of the button front down the back really changed up the look for this. Combined with the gathering and darts it makes it a very quirky yet gorgeous piece. Love it!

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  10. Not tired of these patterns at all, they still feel very new. The shirt turned out wonderfully. I really like seeing how these patterns are turning out and each garment I've seen I've like better than the line drawing, actually.

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  11. I love your Airelle blouse!!
    have a nice day
    Christine

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  12. I spotted this on Sew Weekly and have been waiting to hear more on your blog :)
    I love that you used the button band down the back. I wish my husband had a store of old stripey shirts so I could cut one up! I might have to scour the charity shops for something suitable!
    I look forward to seeing your softer Airelle :)

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  13. This has so many wonderful little details- great job!

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  14. I like the look of this one, and the buttons on the back is a really nice detail. Good job!

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  15. Adorable top! I love that its a refashion (so sneaky!) Also, you live in a beautiful, beautiful place!

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  16. The Deer & Doe patterns are all gorgeous, I can't wait for them to come out in English.

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  17. Thank you, Sallie!
    I must admit my parents built their house in a gorgeous place... I have a few places near home where I want to shoot, they have a breathtaking views but are right on the street, with a lot of people passing by... Damn you, shyness!

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  18. Thank you!
    I don't know about where you live, but here here, second hand men shirt are usually very easy to find and cheap, and they're usually good quality. I hope you can find what you're looking for! :)

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  19. Don't worry they'll be available in English, just a little patience :)

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  20. Thank you, Kessem!
    A stiffer fabric gives a more formal look, but I do think this shirt look 100 times better in a drapier fabric. Did you see Eleonore's version (http://www.pachi-pachi.fr/blog/2012/09/28/fille-a-lunettes/)? I adore it.

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  21. Coming soon! We're deciding the details these days!

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  22. I agree! I think a drape-y fabric suits this blouse better. something about the darts and the fit of the shirt doesn't work for me as well in stiffer fabrics. I think I may try to draft something similar as I don't have the budget to buy this pattern now (as much as I'd love to support deer and doe!)

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