Before I embark on my sheer chiffon blouse with cuffed, puffed sleeves, I have had a lot of very helpful advice from the amazing sewing community, I have consulted my own sewing library and I have made a few samples. As with many vintage patterns the 1959 Vogue 9783 doesn’t give much help.
The issues I needed to answer before I embark on this blouse are:
- Pin tucks or gathers?
- I agree with everyone who says pin tucks. I do want to practise my machine skills, but on this occasion I am going for gathers and don’t anticipate any issues there, although the gathering is joined to lace.
- Interfacing
- I will use black silk organza for the collar, cuffs and front band, as everyone suggested
- Lining
- This will be a sheer blouse that will need to be worn over a chemise. I did think about lining it, but on balance was swayed by Ruth F’s suggestion that different colours underneath would be fun
- Lace
- I decided to go with the brown, nylon lace that I already bought on eBay. You did provide some fantastic ideas and resources on this. In order to make the slightly reddish brown lace work I mounted it on black organza and joined two thickness.
- Button holes on the cuffs and facings.
- The pattern says do by hand. I don’t think so.
- Buttons
- I love the idea of dark pearl buttons. I will look around for some.
Now for the chiffon sewing advice from my selection of sewing manuals.
Seams
Use a number 9 needle. Keep the stitch short but not too tight.
Obviously the seams show so French seams are suggested, with tissue paper to stop the fabric slipping.
- With wrong sides together stitch 3/8th” seams, trim to 1/8th. Press the right sides together and seam on the seam line which is now 1/4″ from the edge.
This works on straight seams. With an armhole seam a mock French seam can be used. This is sewn on the seamline with right sides together
- The SA is trimmed to 1/4″ and pressed inwards and then sewn neatly together.
For the collar and cuff a hairline seam is proposed. This is when the seam is stitched with a narrow zig zag which could involve a filler cord to give more weight. I have decided just to do a straight seam as I don’t actually want any bulk at the edge of the collar.
Pressing
A light touch, and not too much steam
Hems
A rolled hem is suggested – either by hand or machine. Not sure about this. I shall try a simple turned up hem.
OK, ladies. Armed with your advice and desk top research I am going in there.
I will let you know how I get on.
Lyn Bromley
Good luck Kate! I’m sure you will do a great job x
Jay
yes, good luck Kate. I didn’t suggest the mock french seam for the armhole because I think the sleeve head is gathered and I thought this might prove awkward. An alternative might be to trim the sleeve head seam allowance back to scant 1/4 inch and wrap the seam allowance of the armhole around it, stitching it on the original stitching line with the raw edge turned in. Some swear by dipping chiffon in a gelatin solution to give it some body before cutting and working it. I haven’t done this, but it has fans. Sharp electric shears always seem easier than classic shears on fine fabrics – they lift the fabric less.
fabrickated
Thank you very much for this Jay. I like the idea of electric shears and rotary cutters, but as long as I can get by I tend to avoid too much equipment. Something for the future. I did avoid the mock French seams, and gave real French seams (do the French call them French seams) a go. By making them tiny it worked just fine.
Anne
Good luck with this – looking forward to seeing the result!