To continue in the celebration of my new site – I have something extra special for you today!
There are certain online fabric stores I’ve come to love & I love them for a reason. I return over and over to the online fabric stores where quality, transparency, and consistency are present. Oh…. need I mention reasonable prices, too?! That always helps.
One such online shop for me is Blackbird Fabrics.
I’ve purchased several fabrics from Blackbird over the years and they’ve never disappointed me. The fabrics arrive just as they’re described online. This rayon voile purchase was no exception.
I had already made a Trina Dress so I knew it worked on me. And once I saw this Japanese rayon voile pop up on Blackbird Fabrics I knew it was the perfect match for a Trina Blouse.
The fabric is wonderfully drapey, opaque, and stitched up like a dream. I pre-washed this rayon in the washing machine and it held up like a champ. Pretty sure it went through the drier cycle too.
This is my first time sewing up a pattern from Victory Patterns. When the Trina dress & blouse was released last year – I was deep into my love of Phryne Fisher’s Murder Mysteries series (and still am). This dress and blouse pattern is glamorously dynamic, so very Phryne, I just haaad to make one up for myself.
I had such fun taking these photos – the kimono sleeves and drapey rayon fabric = infinite arm poses. lol
I didn’t do many alterations to the pattern- but I did do some.
Some of the wrap features get lost in this print, but I widened the lower bodice section via the triangle pieces.
You can see what I’m talking about better with this line drawing of the Bodice Back:
On a regular wrap design, there is a hole opening in a side seam to pass the ties though. On the Trina blouse, the front bodice has a triangle section that overlays on the back bodice – this area is where the ties feed through for the wrap. I think it’s pretty ingenious and prime for color blocking.
Anyhow – I was saying, I extended the angle on my triangle pieces to widen the waist area a bit. In retrospect, I didn’t need to make that alteration since the blouse was roomy enough.
Bodice Back:
The only other alteration I made was to shorten the sleeves and peplum since I’m such a shortie.
I don’t think it’s any secret that I’m a bit modest – as I don’t like showing my knees or décolletage. Knowing that, I had concerns that the Trina neckline was going to be too deep cut for work attire. Surprisingly, it was fine. I didn’t have to add any additional width to the neckline – it shows just enough but not too much.
And the neckline stays in place without any safety pins. But… I always affix one just in case. lol
Here’s a great closeup of the fabric:
I generally gravitate towards solids and some cute prints – so this rayon voile is very much out of my comfort zone. I thought it was so different and had a great color saturation I couldn’t not get it!
So now that you’ve made it this far – I have a great treat in store for you.
BLACKBIRD FABRICS DISCOUNT:
Caroline of Blackbird Fabrics has kindly offered my readers a site-wide discount of 15% on purchases for the next week! With no restrictions! Isn’t that wonderful?!!
Discount Code: ZILREDLOH15
The code will be valid from NOW till Tuesday March 14th at 11:59PST.
Please Note: I was not compensated in any way, in exchange for any reviews – and all opinions are my own.
While I don’t think there’s any more of this particular fabric in stock – there are plenty of other lovely fabrics to be had. I have my eye on the Bamboo-Cotton French Terry (they make great Renfrews) and the Orange Cheetah Print fabric, myself.
But the discount isn’t just for fabric – but applies towards any notions or pattern purchase also.
Sounds great right?! I hope so. :D
Cheers All & Happy Shopping!
In: Miscellaneous Sewing
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