Completed: Swiss Dot Kanerva Blouse

Introducing my second Kanerva Blouse by Named Clothing Patterns! This time I used version #2 with a peplum and some silky swiss dot chiffon in a deep navy blue. I'd previously made this shirt in the size 6 in stretch knit and found it fit well, however, this time I was using a non-stretch woven so I chose to make it in size 10 instead to give me a little bit of extra room. The pattern actually calls for fabric with a little bit of stretch so the shirt can be pulled over the head without undoing the buttons but I still manage to do them up myself (and look hilariously uncoordinated in the process!)

I love how this shirt drapes! Its definitely hard work working with slippery, slinky fabrics like chiffon but the end result is very rewarding. I found the trick to make working with chiffon a little easier is to set the fabric out on a flat surface (I use my dining room table), straighten it out and spray it with a watered down starch solution. I find this helps keep the fabric more stable and on grain when cutting and sewing and makes life a lot easier! The starch easily washes out once the project is completed.

My original plan was to use a french seam on the majority of the seams, but in the end I just chose to overlock the edges. I was originally going to use an exposed metal zipper instead of buttons down the back but I eventually chose the buttons as the heavy metal zip would have caused the light weight fabric to pull under the weight of the zip. I'm still super keen to try an exposed zipper with this blouse, but with heavier fabric.

Other than that I made no other adjustments or alterations. I don't know why but I seem to be drawn to sewing anything that's NOT summer related at the moment, I mean, look at this shirt... its hardly summer appropriate in either colour or style and not really useful for when the weather over here hits 40deg. The way I'm going I'll have a kickass wardrobe by the time winter rolls around.

Pattern: Named Clothing Patterns Kanerva Blouse with peplum
Size: 10 - no adjustments
Fabric: Swiss Dot Chiffon from Textile Traders @ $9/m