Sewing with Silk
This past November I made a trip up to Portland, perhaps one of my favorite cities of all time. There were so many highlights from the trip but right up on the list was a visit to the Pendleton Woolen Mill Store. (read more about Pendleton here)
That place is a little bit of magic and for a sewist like me a little bit intimidating. There was so much beautiful fabric and I knew this was my one shot. I knew it would be months, possibly years, before I ended up in that space again.
I didn’t buy much but what I did buy was super special. I got two cuts of gorgeous 100% silk. And a cut of the more traditional wool plaid. I held onto it all for a couple of months before diving in. While I got both cuts of silk on sale, they were still pricey bits of gorgeous fabric that I didn’t want to ruin.
Finally, last week, I decided I didn’t want that silk on my shelf anymore, I wanted it on my body! I settled on two patterns, sewed up a couple muslins, burned a little midnight oil, and now I have two TWO!!! silk blouses.
On the left we have the Datura Blouse by Deer and Doe. Deer and Doe is one of my most favorite indie pattern companies of late. They make gorgeous clothing that is all just a bit more sophisticated than my usual go-to patterns. And that sophistication is just what I’m looking for right now. Something to step up my wardrobe and my sewing skills!
I made a few changes to the Datura – bringing the bust dart down about an inch and I skipped lining the yoke. I really didn’t want to double up on the fabric because the silk is just so gorgeously drapey! Instead of lining the yoke I bias bound the neckline and armholes and used french seams everywhere else, leaving an inside that is just as beautiful as the outside.
The second blouse is the Sutton Blouse by True Bias. It was my very first time using a pattern by True Bias and I was definitely pleased. The instructions were clear and easy to follow and the result is exactly what I wanted.
I made a couple of changes to this blouse, as well (that’s the beauty of DIY). I eliminated the high-low hemline with side vents, mostly because having french side seams was super important to me (impossible to run this silk through a serger!!). If I were to make it again, I’d draft wider at the hips to accommodate the lack of vents, but I’m still really happy with this blouse.
Now, my only problem – I don’t really have anything in my wardrobe to wear with these lovelies. Any suggestions for skirt or pants sewing patterns you think might work?
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