Monday 21 January 2013

Jim, Joe and Me: A simple chemise (with a little lace)


The brief: A simple chemise, with some nice lacy sleeve detail. Flounce!

The build: A very simple concept, based on four rectangles, with tracks for either ribbon or elastic, dependant on preference.

The fabric: Cream cotton from Birmingham Rag Market, plus some vintage lace from a friend.

Cost and time: £6 per chemise, plus a few hours sewing.

Process: We start with two rectangles for the body, long enough to go to mid-thigh, and wide enough together to go round the body 1 1/2 to 2 times. Plus two rectangles for the sleeves, wide enough to allow for an armscye, plus half again as long as the arm.

The arm pieces need a channel sewing for elastic, and the lace also sewn on.

Lace Blouse Sleeve

Lace Blouse Sleeve With Lace

The lace is rather nice, if a bit over the top.

Lace Blouse Detail

These arms are then attached to the two body pieces, with no (apparent) space left in the middle.

Lace Blouse Layout

Lace Blouse Pinned

A channel is sewn at the top of the body pieces to allow for ribbon to tighten the neck. The sides are sewn up using French seams, and the bottom is hemmed.

And here it is on.

Lace Blouse Worn 2


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