FINISHED! A Daydream Carme Blouse

Early in February I was very honoured to be asked to test the new Pauline Alice pattern, the Carme blouse. I jumped at the chance of course.  I am such a Pauline Alice fan girl (having made both the Cami dress and the Malvorosa dress and the Ninot jacket is sitting high on my to do list).. and well a blouse is actually my favourite thing to sew.  Knowing that it was a pattern test I probably shouldn't have used one of a Liberty fabrics, but life is too short to not sew with beautiful fabrics and mistakes are so well hidden in a Liberty print.
More on the fabric later, but now to the most important part, the pattern. It is gorgeous isn't it! There is so much to love about this pattern. The pintucks on the front bib, the button cuffed sleeves, the rollup tabs and the stylishly slim fit, allowing it to be worn out or tucked into skirts.   
I cut a straight 36 with no adjustments at all.  The pattern comes together well (I love the way you pintuck and then cut the bib) and the sleeves set in perfectly. Pauline provides good instructions but she has also produced some video tutorials to assist even a beginner sewer, so there is no excuse not to try it. The pattern has also been updated to include a fabulously easy way to attach the collar which I'll be using for my next make.
I have worn this top already many times since making it.  Just a couple of things I'd take more notice of next time...  The instructions give you the option to interface or not the collar, so I took the middle ground and only interfaced one side of the collar. In hindsight the collar would have sat better, in this fabric, if I'd interfaced both sides.  
Sadly, in testing I made a small error and can't quite get my collar to do up with the buttons I have which is annoying and I couldn't find any slightly smaller buttons that I like. As a result when I got to the buttons I had a bit of a hopeless moment..first, I thought I wouldn't put any buttons on it. Then I thought 3 and the opening, then I thought more,..but by then I'd cut the button holes and the amount left at the top isn't exactly even.  Aaah. So annoying, but really, with the buttons undone, which is how I wear this top, it isn't at all noticeable (thank you busy Liberty fabric).  But my next one I'll get right as I'd love to be able to wear it all done up.  

Lastly, inserting the bib into the front requires precision and spot on top stitching. I need to up the ante next time and use my blind hem foot or something to provide guidance for immaculate top stitching so I'm not tempted to keep unpicking a less than perfect result. 
Despite those little things, I really enjoyed making up this pattern and look forward to making it up again in a denim/ chambray. For an amazing version, go and see Merche's version. It is stunning and then go and buy the pattern here!

Lastly, back to the fabric.  I bought this fabric from Tessuti after being lured into purchasing it from Velosewer Maria after spotting her purple colourway on instagram.  No regrets with the purchase of course.  As soon as I saw the line drawings from Pauline I knew this fabric would become a Daydream Carme Blouse.  I am a big fan of the work that Mo Coppoletta did for Liberty last season having made the Cami dress out of his Joy and Sorrow print and still have some Growing Fonder in the stash.
Daydream is from the AW 13/14 season and is hand painted by Mo Coppoletta who was inspired by William Morris and the Arts and Crafts movement, a style that represents Liberty, as it is a Mecca for Arts and Crafts visuals. Peonies were chosen as they are known as 'the king of flowers' in Eastern tradition and defined as the flower of riches and honour bringing health, wealth and wisdom. 


42 comments:

  1. What a gorgeous version of this Cami blouse! No wonder you got asked to be a tester. When I first saw the pattern I thought this was so much your style, it should be named after you! By reading your post I realized the thing that I called yoke is actually a bib :P
    And I agree the instructions are so clever. The polo-neck band is just perfect.
    Now, we should all get together and have a picnic in our Cami blouses!

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  2. This is so gorgeous! Now I know why you love Liberty so much, it hides any crap bits!! I have to get me some now. Off to check out the pattern.

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  3. It is a lovely blouse isn't it and agree that the polo neck band is just so easy to attach. Your blouse is so great with the contrast bib/yoke. I need to make another one to make it as neat as yours before we picnic but count me in!

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  4. This is so pretty! The style really suits you. Love this pattern.

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  5. Such a flattering style Kirsty. Beautiful fabric - I agree, life is too short to hoard beautiful fabric! Btw I just bought a gorgeous vintage shirt pattern you'd love - the collar is beyond gorgeous, google Mccalls 8442 - the model has a very chic black bob (a bit like Phrynie Fisher!).

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  6. I absolutely love everything about this shirt. It's an excellent match of pattern and print. I really must dust off the old sewing machine and get sewing again! x

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  7. Carme blouse is so you :) And this Liberty fabric enhances your eyes and skin tone. What not to like about it? If you want to do really straight stitches, get yourself a special straight stitch foot . If you alight fabric's end to one of its sides it should sew 2mm from the edge and another one - 1mm. Perfects stitches guaranteed :)

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  8. Perfect design for a Liberty print. Love it!

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  9. I love this! The fabric works perfectly with the blouse, which has a wonderful shape.

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  10. What a lovely version! I admire your "go for it" attitude when sewing your lovely Liberty prints. I have a small collection and always get stage fright right before cutting into them so I have yet to use them (so silly, eh?). I debated whether or not to use Liberty for my Carme, but a cotton voile won in the end. There's always next time! Oh, and isn't Pauline's way to insert the the bib on this blouse just genius?

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  11. Amazing version Kirsty! With your great eye for fabric, I knew you would pair a beautiful one with the pattern. But such a gorgeous, I couldn't even have dreamt about it!
    Thanks for testing the pattern, it was a pleasure having you on the team! And count me in as well for the picnic! Where should we meet? Spain or Australia?

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  12. gorgeous blouse! what a perfect fabric for that pattern, i love the tucks!

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  13. This is a great style on you (but I guess I've never seen you wear something that isn't!). The fabric so pretty and very flattering on you. You've definitely sold me on this pattern! I really appreciate how you give the background on the print - always so interesting!

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  14. Another beautiful make that suits you perfectly! Like Andrea I love your life is too short attitude!

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  15. Ah - stunning. It's no wonder she asked you to test - the pattern looks like it was designed specifically with you in mind! And gosh it suits you wonderfully. Absolutely loving it!

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  16. You pick the best fabrics! This one suits you and your blouse perfectly - I'm glad you went for it.

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  17. Love your fabric choice!!! And the blouse looks so good on you. Congratulations.

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  18. Lovely! This seems like a great all rounder pattern that would look great in all sorts of fabrics. I also love the fact there are video tutorials. More pattern designers / companies need to do this for all the self-taught home sewers out there!

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  19. I'm loving everyone's Liberty shirts at the moment. This is gorgeous. Love the slim fit design and the pleated bib. That print is stunning.

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  20. Yes, that's the secret! I hope you get the pattern it is a beauty.

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  21. Now that is a great pattern. Can't wait to see yours.. may need to put it on the wishlist.

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  22. Thanks Shivani. I can't wait for you to dust off your machine, but you have more important things to be doting on!

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  23. I just adore this fabric and yes, the pattern is a beauty. thanks for the tip on the foot. I need to find one. You know, I just need a new machine I think. I've got such a low end pfaff which has served me well up until now, but really it might be time to invest.

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  24. I really like your blouse. The voile is lovely. Yes, Pauline's way to insert the blouse is genius!

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  25. I'd love to host you all in Australia, but just as happy to go to Spain!!!! Thanks again for including me. It was a real pleasure. All the best with the pattern x

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  26. Thanks Lisa and the tucks are just great. It really is a great way to do them as well.

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  27. Thanks Shar. I really like this pattern and hope you do buy it.

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  28. Thank you so much. It is a lovely pattern so easy to work with.

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  29. Yes, I think it will look great in a heap of fabrics! Agree about the videos. Good instructions are so important.

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  30. Thanks Bernice, I really like the slim fit as well and all the Liberty prints. All so inspiring.

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  31. Ooo. I love this on you Kirsty. How much fabric did you need to make this? I can't seem to find the requirements on the website. I'm wondering if I could get one sewn with my 1.5m of liberty? BTW. Loved catching up on the weekend.

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  32. Yes, it was so fun on Saturday! Have you settled yet on a fabric for the birthday shirt? I had 1.5m and think I had little bit left over so yes definitely you can get it out of your 1.5m. I think this shirt would really suit you.

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  33. What a fantastic shirt! I am definitely going to get this pattern. You have such a knack of matching Liberty to the perfect pattern.

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  34. So pretty! I really love it with the sleeves rolled up :)

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  35. Very wearable blouse. I love the way it works tucked in for the office or loose over jeans.

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