Pendrell Blouse ~ Finally

Aloha!  Thank you all for chiming in on the latest McCall's dress.  I think Uta hit the nail on the head when she said it is a dress I may just need to get used to.  I didn't wear it last week like I had intended, but maybe I will find a use for it soon and give it a whirl.

I am excited about the results of my latest sewing expedition into Pendrell blouse territory.  I was just waiting for what I thought was the right fabric for it.  I love View A made up in satiny polyester-like fabrics, but knew I would not wear it that much in Hawaii if I made it out of that kind of material.  Silk would have been lovely, and I thought I had found just the right print, but alas, I waited too long to purchase it and "poof" it was gone :(  You all may remember back in July I took a very brief trip to Oregon.  My mom and I were able to enjoy a day perusing fabric shops that were new to both of us in the Eugene/Springfield area.  I think this fabric was found in the last shop we visited, Jean Marie's Fabric.  It is a silk/cotton blend in a burnout textured print.  Although the color is not my favorite, I do like it, and love how it worked up into the Pendrell blouse pattern by Sewaholic.

I have styled it two ways.  This first way is to show you the finished length.  I am 5' 7", for reference.  I like how long it is, because you can wear it like a tunic. 

Burda cropped pants blogged about here.

This second way is tucked in with a silk skirt I have had for at least 7 or 8 years.  I love the skirt and am happy to have another blouse to wear it with. In fact, I love this combination.

Pattern Details

I must say I am extremely happy with this pattern.  I cut the size 2 based on the finished measurements noted on the back of the pattern envelope.  After one modification (I had to lower the armholes by 6/8" to feel comfortable and not have any puckering along the front seam line.  This meant I also had to cut longer strips of self-bias binding for the armholes.) the shell was a perfect fit.  I can see using this as a base for the ruffle options available from McCall's 5977.  The princess seaming style works so much better for me than the dart in the side seam. 

The directions are super easy to follow with clear pictures.  I constructed the blouse exactly as written.  Everything came together beautifully.  I think some people have found the amount of ease in the pattern to be too much, but this size worked great for me.  I am truly amazed I can slip it on easily with no fasteners.  The only snug part is the neckline.  I will make my neckline just a smidge wider in the future.  Here is a closer picture of the blouse so you can see the fabric texture and sewing details.

For the rest of the week, I am going to try to make myself work on and finish the Burda jacket I started for the RTW Sew-a-long months ago.  I really want this jacket to work out and be a part of my wardrobe.  I don't know what my hang up is with it, but I am going to try to come out the winner at least by finishing it, whether it fits or not!  I am also planning a post about the Black Sand Beach in Hana, the third in my series about my latest Hana excursion.  Stay tuned for that.  Here is a bag I recently added to the shop which totally reminds me of that beach.  Happy Sewing Everyone! 

*Updated 9-26-11 to add a link to Sewaholic patterns.