It’s a grape Datura!

After finding success with both Bleuet & Sureau I’ve continued to work my way through the Deer & Doe pattern catalog.  Most recently with Datura, a loose, sleeveless blouse with either a cutout or Peter Pan collar and back buttons.  I initially thought of making this earlier but a sleeveless blouse didn’t seem like the most practical winter make.  Now that the weather is heating up I want a whole gaggle of them!

For my first version I used grape colored rayon challis and included the Peter Pan collar.  Not wanting to deal with fussy, shifty fabric I used Sullivan’s stabilizing spray rather than regular spray starch.  Last time I used spray starch the nozzle malfunctioned and wouldn’t stop spraying – I ended up tying it up in a plastic bag & setting it outside where it continued to spray until there was nothing left.  I’ve read recommendations for Sullivan’s before & decided to give it a try.  I did use a pressing cloth while ironing the fabric after spraying it to avoid dirtying up my iron.

Datura is a relatively simple design with just a few pattern pieces so it doesn’t take long to cut out or sew up.  The yokes are lined resulting in a neat finish along the neck and armholes.  I chose to topstitch the yokes and avoid any potential hand sewing and French seamed the sides.  The hem is finished with bias binding so the insides look almost as nice as the outsides.  I used three little buttons on the back and made functioning buttonholes despite them being unnecessary to get into the blouse.  After a quick washing cycle & press to remove the added stiffness it was ready to go.



I love, love, love that it doesn’t button all the way up the back!  As a girl with long hair I hate having to untangle my hair from around a button, especially if it’s in back where I can’t see what I’m doing.

So far I’ve only worn the blouse with cardigans with the exception of these photos.  I like the sleeveless nature of it but am wondering how it might look with a cap or short sleeve.

Part of me is surprised at how much I’ve liked this blouse since it’s not my usual silhouette.  Overall I think I look best with some waist definition and this has none.  I feel it’s designed with slim pants in mind using the old rule of loose on top/tight on bottom or vice-versa.  It’s always nice to throw a bit of caution to the wind and try out a new style.  Also the looser fit means less time needed in the fitting stage making this an ideal candidate for some unselfish sewing if you so desire.

I know I really like a pattern when I immediately start planning out future versions and snapping up all the needed fabrics and notions.  So far I’ve got some floral fabric and a few solid pieces I’m debating between for the cut outs version.  I’m trying to restrain myself with only two more (for now) so my other patterns don’t get jealous!

Me-Made-May 2014

Wow!  Long time no post!  Rest assured that despite slacking in the blogging department there has been sewing going on. Even some unselfish sewing! Actually school’s been keeping me pretty busy and so I’ve responsible and focused on that.  Plus it’s easier when you’re not trying to beat the timer and photograph yourself.

 

But yea!  Me-Made-May is just around the corner.  Like less than 24 hours for me and possibly even less so depending on where in the world you are.   I had a great time last year participating for the first time and seeing all the gorgeous garments everyone else created.  I was inspired by lots of people and discovered lots of new blogs.  In fact, Me-Made-May 2013 was the kick in the butt I needed to start my blog in the first place!  So I owe Zoe a few extra kudos for coming up with such a great international event.  So here I go with my pledge!

I, Erin of F is for Flamingo, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May ’14.  I endeavor to wear at least one me-made garment each day for the duration of May 2014.

In addition I’ve added a few extra personal challenges

• I’ll avoid wearing the exact same outfit twice.  If it’s a dress that means a minimum of switching up accessories & shoes.
• I’ll try to avoid defaulting to a Renfrew & jeans as much as possible.  I’ve already professed my love for Sewaholic’s Renfrew, but last year it was an easy fall back and I want to step up my game this year.
• Speaking of jeans, I’m hoping to finish the month with 2 pairs. This means getting around to finishing my 95% done Thurlows (Also Sewaholic) I’ve had laying around since January.  Plus cutting & sewing my first pair of Named Jamie jeans.  Naturally as me-mades they won’t count as a default.
• In addition I’d love to squeeze in a couple more projects this month.  I’ve got a few all traced out & ready to go with prewashed fabric and everything.

Oh yeah, as I mentioned at the top there has been sewing – both selfish & unselfish going on.  So here’s a few of those projects I’ll include so this post isn’t entirely photoless.

I can almost hear the sleigh bells ringing...

This is my first complete version of Kitschy Coo’s LadySkater dress. (I’ve never bothered to go back & adjust my true first version because seam ripping serger seams is not my idea of fun!)  I finished this in time to wear to a good friend’s bachelorette weekend at a snowy mountain resort.  I swear I had the best intentions of getting photos of it in the snow (can’t get more wintery than fairisle reindeer.) but between a forgotten battery charger & I-90 being closed for avalanche control due to a massive snow storm it was almost forgotten.  I do have a single iPhone photo but next to the blinding white snow it didn’t turn out that great.  Regardless I like the dress – this knit from GirlCharlee didn’t quite have the correct amount of stretch so I cut the bodice out a little bit bigger.

Check out that seam matching!

I’m super thrilled with my most recent version so I’ll chat more about this pattern later.  However on the website is a baby version of the pattern which turns out supercute & I highly recommend it for using up knit scraps for any baby girls in your life.  Probably a good thing I don’t have a little girl of my own because I suspect I might be inclined to make massive amounts of mommy & me outfits…  so a friend got it for her baby instead. 

 

I’m totally willing to admit she wore it better however I have superior “holding still for the camera” skills.  The only changes I made were to add the applique to the front (added bonus that it’s super easy to tell the front from the back!) and added a gathered skirt since it fit the print better.