I wasn't really aware of Rachel Comey until I saw her apartment featured in Domino (RIP) a few years ago. Rachel Comey began at Theory, and has been designing since the early 2000's. I am especially enamored with her Spring 2008 RTW collection - grown-up, intelligent warm-weather duds (or maybe I just love the chunky glasses).
I made the blouse in an oyster-colored crepe-backed satin from fabrics.com. It was very soft, but did not slip at all and was easy to work with, to my surprise. It was one of my $1.95/yard fabric purchases. I love how a sewer can have a designer blouse for under $10!
This pattern has the features of a Vogue designer pattern, and I learned new skills in making it.
The inside is completely finished with French seams. I've never done French seams before - they look amazing, and are so easy! However, this obviously made for a lengthier construction because the seams are sewn twice. (And while overall easy, it is a bit of work to do French seams on a curve [here, on the back yoke].)
The blouse is secured with a back placket, which is another first for me. Plackets have intimidated me. Now I feel that I can attempt a button-up shirt. I used oyster-shell buttons, which match the fabric almost exactly.
The sleeve knots and keyhole opening are finished by trimming the seam allowance and double-folding the fabric to hem the edges, which took quite some time.
The knot was fun to do! I'd recommend tying it from the inside out so that the seams are on the inside, and the pretty part of the knot is on the outside. I had to play around with the knot before I got it to look the way I wanted it to.
The negative of this pattern: it is described as a "very-loose fitting top", and it is truly that. I made this in a size 12, my usual size. I know this is the right size for the top because it fits accurately in the bust. But as you can see, the back is incredibly blousy. On the hanger, the shirt is very boxy; there is no definition at the waist. However, I was given fair warning on the pattern envelope and pic.
I wore this to work, so please excuse the extreme back wrinkles.
I thought it added a lot to my standard-issue Ann Taylor triacetate suit.
I don't know if I will make this again. I think it would look amazing in an emerald green or peacock blue tafetta, or even in a casual cotton for summer wear. But I just don't know if I need two of these. It does have a lot going on - the large knot, the arm ties, the blousiness. Still, it's a fun pattern overall that I'd recommend... at least once. I would love to see your version of this!