Perfect Shell — Simplicity 2599

Here’s my most recently finished sewing project — and I actually just finished it this week!  This is Simplicity 2599, a great basic blouse pattern that includes sleeveless and short-sleeved versions as well as several different trim options.  It also features different pattern pieces for B, C, and D bust cups so you don’t have to do any adjustments for that department.  The blouse is quick and easy to put together once you work out any fitting issues.  And really, there can’t be too many fitting issues when there is just one main piece for the front and one main piece for the back 🙂

As you can see, the neck in this version (E) features a cute ruffle which is created by gathering a single layer of bias cut fabric and attaching it to the neckline through the blouse and facing.  This technique is great because it keeps the facing from flipping out and because the facing adds an extra layer of sturdiness to anchor the ruffle.

In this photo you can see what the shirt looks like untucked.  Please excuse the wrinkles since I had it tucked into my skirt all day.  I had to tweak the pattern to achieve the waist definition you see here.  When I first sewed up the shirt, it was a complete box.  I ended up grading the waist down two sizes from the size that I sewed in the bust and hips.  This makes it a little hard to get on over my head since I also omitted the button opening at the neck but it is possible.

From the back view you can see that I did an awesome swayback adjustment — well, pretend like you can :).  It is wrinkly from being tucked in but before I made my swayback adjustment, the back of this shirt pooled like crazy.  Now it glides over my junk-trunk much more gracefully.  For finishing, the seams are all French seams and the armholes are finished with self-bias binding.

And just to show you one of my favorite flowers and why this is my favorite time of the year.  Azaleas make me so happy.  These are some of the small azalea bushes outside my office.  When I left work yesterday afternoon, they were so full of blooms and the sunshine was so pretty, I just had to snap a picture for you.  Unfortunately azaleas grow really slowly so it will be many years before these bushes reach the massive size of the plants that I so admire in our surrounding neighborhoods, but at least my little babies make up for it in quality!

And one last shot to show you the outtakes from my first attempt at self-photography.  Apparently 10 seconds isn’t as long as I thought it was.  Or we can pretend I was doing exercises in my skirt and heels.  In front of the camera.  I’m still amazed that I even figured out how to turn on the timer on my camera without having to consult the manual…

Jacket–Loft
Blouse–Made by Me!
Skirt–Halogen from Nordstrom
Shoes–Cole Haan
Necklace–Tessyla on Etsy

Tags: blouse, quick, rayon, ruffles, shirt, simplicity, top