Right now it's that in-between time when it's not yet sweater season, but it's too cool for floaty summer shirts. I'd like to make some long sleeve, cool-weather shirts to wear with skirts, but something other than button-up collared shirts (I work in a very "corporate" office, so wearing an oxford doesn't feel classic, just stodgy). While there are so many patterns for summer tanks and tunics, I had a difficult time finding longer-sleeve, winter approriate tops. Here are the ones I found that I'm planning to make:
I really like the pleated neckline detail on this Diane von Furstenberg top:
M5661 has similiar pleating at the neckline:
For fall, I'm planning to make the longer-sleeved view C. In the spring, I could use view E to make a blouse similiar to this lovely Anne Klein one:
When secretary blouses al la "Working Girl" were reintroduced a few years ago, I really thought it was going to be a passing trend. However, they seem to be back more than ever this season. They are everywhere!
Alexander McQueen
Luella
There are a few cute secretary-style patterns; I picked up McCalls 5884 during the last pattern sale.
This one is very similiar to the cream Luella version. Wouldn't it look great in a matte, kelly green crepe? Or a dark teal? Or a mustard...? I don't love that it does not have darts and is a "pull-over" style, but I think it will be a good starter blouse. (Is it weird that I'm more intimidated by blouses than dresses? I think it's the detail work like binding and making small, barely-visible seams that gets me nervous.)
I ebayed this Simplicity 2856 pattern because none of my local JoAnn's had it. That probably means it is going out of print?
I'm strangely drawn to its 80's-ish strong shouldered look. I'm planning to make the longer sleeved view. It could look great in a cool pattern in a thick/stiff fabric (I think). This is actually the one I'm most excited about.
This one I'm not so sure about:
I grabbed it because of the long sleeved view E at the top, but after further thought, it could turn out to be a really weird shirt. Maybe I'll try it out with a plain, cheap fabric to see if I like the style. I'd make a straight muslin, but I think it'd be hideous in muslin and would not allow me to make an impassioned decision about it. But even if it doesn't work, views D and F would be really cute tops. (D, E, and F are wovens; views A-C are knits.)
I'm planning a few other projects first, and I need to go fabric shopping, then hopefully I can get started on these!
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Funny story that the title reminded me of: my brother and I visited our family in England last November. (My maternal grandmother was British, and my great-uncle, great-aunt, and cousins live in East Sussex.) When we were visiting my Nana and uncle's hometown, we walked by a café and began chatting with the proprietress who was standing outside. My uncle asked if we would like to go in for a coffee, and I replied "Sure, I could use a coffee." The proprietress let out a huge laugh and said "USE? 'I could USE a coffee'?? What does that mean? Oh you Americans! 'Use', har, har, har." I tried to explain that "use" wasn't such a ridiculous expression, because I could have used the caffeine to wake up, but she would not be persuaded. It was really quite funny. Now, whenever I say I could "use" something, I smile, thinking of that incident. Which makes me wonder: does this title sound strange to any non-American readers?
The village's lovely high street.