Vogue 1385, the third version

There's a tops contest at Sandra Betzina's Power Sewing and since I had one more

Vogue 1385 in me ,I decided to participate.

I've had several meters of of white silk dupioni in my stash for years and in the back of my mind, I had the top I ended up with, except with longer sleeves. So here it is.

The reason for the short sleeves is that I made this to wear to my grand-daughter's graduation , which is today. It's usual horribly hot for graduation ( I attended many during my years as a high school teacher ) but wouldn't you know it? It's pouring rain here today and all of 12 degrees Celsius so I don't know what I'll end up wearing !

I really enjoyed making this blouse. I cut size B knowing from my previous two versions ( here and here ) that this one runs big.

I started out by fusing all the pieces with Fusi knit to give it some body.

 The bias trim was made with silk/cotton. I used a double layer sewed it to the outside by machine and to the inside by hand.

Isn't this fluted neckline pretty?

I took a chance that my Janome wouldn't let me down and made black buttonholes with silk thread and a size 70/10 sharp needle. They turned out perfect. I had planned on using black ball buttons but couldn\t find any that were big enough soused these domed ones instead.

To achieve this length of sleeve, I cut them off at the lengthen/shorten line on the pattern piece. They were quite wide so I sewed a little tuck at the bottom and that worked well.

If you have this pattern and are hesitating to make it because you think it might be complicated, please know that it is surprisingly doable with Sandra's excellent instructions and with careful marking of the folds and darts. It's so worth trying .

I love this top . I intend to wear it to church and I intend to make a matching dupioni skirt for the  next event I attend. For now , I made a black scuba knit pencil skirt and I like how the two pieces look together.

I think I could take it in at the side seams a little. It is quite roomy.

I also have a couple more outfits made which I'll show you at another time..I'm having a great time right now sewing in outfits and using up my stash!

I do hope you've found time to sew this weekend because I know, like me, that;s your favorite thing to do !

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