FINISHED! Asaka Wrap Blouse

I bought 2m of the Asaka A Liberty Print last year from Addicted to Fabric with a voucher I got for my birthday on an impulse. While I love the print and just love the yellow pop of flowers, I rarely wear black and once I got it home couldn't really see the print made up into something that I'd wear. So it sat languishing in my stash until I saw this Burda blouse pop up on Little Betty Sews.  The wheels started to turn and then I saw it pop up again in that fabulous jewelled Liberty print, Alexandra that I made my Kanerva out of and then I saw it on Project Sewn last week. Three strikes and an idea was born.

But first, let's quickly talk about the fabric.  It is Asaka A from the Liberty Art Fabrics Collection SS14, Gallery of Prints collection.

Hina Aoyama collaborated with the Liberty Design Team to create the Asaka fabric design. Incorporating Hina Aoyama’s intricate hand-cut floral motifs, Asaka represents Liberty’s Japanese Print Department.

The Fourth Floor fabric story celebrates Liberty’s interior decoration floor. Each design pays homage to a different area or department, taking taking on the intrinsic mood of each individual space.

I had social sewing with some friends (Amanda, Jen, Myra, Siobhan and Michelle) on Saturday afternoon and didn't feel like taking my slippery Tokyo jacket to work on, so bought this pattern on Thursday and quickly cut out the fabric. I was tired by Saturday afternoon,so only managed to miter the corners and sew up the bust dusts, before calling it a day.
It's not a hard make, although I admit the mitering taxed my brain a bit as the edges don't make a square but are a bit angled.  The mitering provides for such a nice finish so it is worth it.  Sunday I got the best Mother's day present - some sewing hours and finished it off.
I thought I was a bit smarter than the instructions (sometimes I wonder why Burda even bother with an instructions sheet.. it's not like there is much written on them!) and thought I'd hem the blouse after attaching the sides.  Doing it this way means that you have to fold a tiny bit of fabric over to get the nice corner at the side seams but having said that, I'd probably do the same thing again. I prefer the look of the hem enclosing the side seams.
I made up the 36 but found it a little bit too big so used a 5/8 seam rather than the 1cm seam I'd previously used on the sides. It could probably come in a little bit on the shoulders but I quite like the how it hangs and I do love the boxy shape of the top.  The sleeve length is probably a bit long so I have rolled them over once to get more of a 3/4 look.  Next time I'll hem them shorter.

I also hand stitched the neck binding on.  I did this partly because I stupidly cut the binding just a tad too small so it looked a bit wrinkled when sewn on, but mainly, and I thought of this only after I had removed the top stitching of the original binding, that it would allow me to just bind through the bottom layer of the front wrap piece.  Much nicer in my humble opinion.

I really like the design and the 'wrap' adds a simple but effective detail which provides for plenty of coverage - as you can see!  I suspect that there might be a few more of these in my future.

46 comments:

  1. Looks great! Especially with those pants. The yellow in the print really makes it pop.

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  2. So nice! Perfect for fall!

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  3. I'm glad you found the right pattern for this fabric - and I love the pop of yellow, really takes it away from being a simple B&W print. I think I need to check if I have this particular pattern too ;)

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  4. Oh Kirsty it's just fabulous! That fabric is amazing and really suits you! And the style is also perfect for you and your shape. Very successful make, I'd say!

    And you're still my inspiration when it comes to making blouses.

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  5. Aww thanks Michelle! It was thanks to you sending me great mitering vibes!

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  6. This would be a great pattern for you Gabrielle!!! I'll be watching to see if you make it up.

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  7. I wore it to work today and I have to say that it was great. Perfect for the office.

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  8. Thanks so much. The pants are actually a little bit patterned so it works better than just a flat black. But then I do love a pattern on pattern!

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  9. This is lovely!!! That fabric is perfect - I adore the pop of yellow on the monochrome! Between yours & Little Betty's there may be (already is?) a run on this pattern! ;)

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  10. Gorgeous fabric! And I love this make - simple, wearable shape, but in a fun print! Wardrobe win!

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  11. the print is gorgeous and it looks great made up into this bouse!

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  12. Maider....MasustakMay 13, 2014 at 1:46 AM

    Amazing fabric as always :-) It looks great on you Kirsty! I don´t have this burda issue, but you blouse´s pattern seems very interesting.

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  13. Niiiiiice! Especially surrounded by this automnal scenery! One thing I don't understand: Why Liberty has not made your their official model???

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  14. Really though...why are you not sponsored by Liberty??! You make the most chic makes with their fabric! This is another great top Kirsty and I'm glad that you found a pattern to match the fabric. It may have stumped you... but not for long!

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  15. Great choice of fabric for that pattern! I really like that print but wondered if it would be too washed out on me - but you making it as a blouse paired with black jeans is making me reconsider!

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  16. Love the fabric, perfect with that lovely Canberra autumn back drop. I tend to avoid black too, another good reason to sew. The yellow makes all the difference.You really are the liberty queen, agree with the other comments they could sponsor you.

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  17. I think the pop of yellow really makes this fabric stand out! This is a great style on you and I can see why you want to make more of these!

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  18. Thanks Shar. I've seen the other colour ways with pops of other colours, but the yellow is so fun!

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  19. Thanks Barbara! Isn't this the best time of year in Canberra with all those wonderful colours.

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  20. As SewBrunswick would say .. a little bit of lippy does help! I had originally thought I'd make a dress but felt the same about being washed out. These pants, which actually have a slight pattern in them work well and offset the 'washed out' feeling.

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  21. Thanks Margo!! They'd lose their profits :)

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  22. Yes, why haven't they!! :) The colours are so lovely at the moment in Canberra it's hard not to want to have everything photographed next to trees!
    P.S. I am loving your Ireland instagram photos.. they should employ you as part of Ireland Tourism!

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  23. Thanks! I must subscribe to Burda as there is always a few things I like :)

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  24. Thanks Sallie. Always great to have a wardrobe win!

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  25. The pop of yellow is so nice isn't it. The other colourways are really cute too but sunshiney yellow always wins :)

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  26. Oh Kirsty this is stunning. I've been eyeing off this Liberty print since last year. Can't wait to see this blouse in real life - especially the wrap feature.

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  27. I've been itching to make this top since I saw it (great issue by the way!) and I love how you've paired your amazing Liberty (as always!) with the model.
    Now I think I'm really going to have to make it...

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  28. Every time I see this top I love it a little more. Love your version! And I think this is the type of woven fabric "shirt" I'd feel comfortable in. It might be finding its way into my wardrobe soon I think. Such a great match of fabric to pattern!

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  29. You are working with such lovely fabrics.

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  30. Your blouse is just beautiful Kirsty! I love it in the liberty print... thanks for showing us the pattern, I'm definitely gonna check this one out! :)

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  31. Oh this is such a great pattern, I've been ogling it too but not really a gap in my wardrobe for it. Love the fabric too, the yellow accent is amazing! Looks perfect on you.

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  32. I so agree! You do beautiful work with their fabrics, and this project is no exception!

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  33. Thanks Myra, The wrap feature is very cool and the blouse has a lovely shape to it.

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  34. Thanks Pauline. I hope you will make it up - I'd love to see it on you!

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  35. Thanks Jillian, and it is definitely an easy to wear 'shirt'. Look forward to seeing yours.

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  36. Thanks Carolyn. I seem to be on a bit of a burda run at the moment as I'm also thinking about doing another of their patterns!

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  37. There is certainly no gap in my wardrobe for blouses (obviously) but sadly so often it's what I feel like making. And they do get a lot of wear. Each and every one of them. The yellow pop is cute isn't it .

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  38. That print is lovely! I am sure it will get lots of use.

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  39. You are such a Liberty print influencer. Both this style and the fabric make this top look so delicate. It certainly is cute.

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  40. Thanks Andrea. I think it will definitely get a lot of wear.

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