Josephine Blouse and PAB Skinny Cords

Man oh man. I bought the Violette Field Threads Josephine blouse pattern about a year ago and have been wanting to make one forever. I finally did, and I LOVE it! You have the option of adding the ruffle to the placket or not, and I am so glad I did. I was worried you wouldn't be able to see it with a busy print, but it is a beautiful detail. This is such a cute blouse - ruffles, pintucks, collar, puffed sleeves - oh man, I can't stand it.

The neckline doesn't look so wonky in real life.

I should mention that the colors and exposure of these pictures is all over the place. I am working only with my HTC phone camera, which does a pretty good job, but the lighting was crazy outside. When a 4 year old WANTS to do pictures, you do pictures. Immediately, lest the opportunity pass. Plus, we lucked out with a 72 degree day so no one had to get sweaty in fall clothes. There were pictures taken in full sun, full shade, and dappled shade. All kinds of craziness that a cell phone just can't handle. A photographer and editor I am not. But a bake a mean chocolate, chocolate chip muffin (gluten free) and there was a fresh, warm one with Elena's name on it at the end of the picture taking.

The fabric for the blouse was free to me from my favorite source - an older woman who isn't sewing much anymore and is destashing. Love that. Someday, I will have to find someone to pass my stash along to. Hopefully, one of my own kids, but we'll see. Anyway, it feels like rayon but it frays much, much more than any rayon I've used before, so I'm guessing it's more of a poly/cotton. Very nice feeling with good drape. I also used it to line the pants pockets and for the waistband facing. So let's talk pants.

The corduroy for the pants was from the thrift store. There was enough to make these pants, and a soon to be finished skirt, with some leftovers. I bought it for $2 at the thrift store last year. Score. It doesn't have any stretch to it, but I was a rebel and used it with the Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop Skinny Jeans pattern anyway. I got that pattern a couple years ago in the Sew-Fab Bundle. (Don't they do those anymore?) Elena is so slim, and I measured carefully and compared the pattern pieces to some other non-stretch pattern pieces (Twisted Trousers namely) and went for it. I made a flat out 4T and they are great on her. I've rolled them up here but the length should be very good for this whole winter. I'd love to make some again in stretch denim or corduroy.

Of course, you know I made some changes. I have to, just for fun. So I went with more feminine pockets since the tan cord was so gender neutral. These are off of a Japanese pattern and I've used them a few times now. I also did away with the faux fly and button closure, because skinny-mini doesn't need it and I'm a take the short-cut kind of girl.

This outfit gets me excited for fall. School starts next week for my big kids and for Elena in a few weeks. Once school starts, it feels like summer is over anyway. I've had a lot of time to plan Elena's fall wardrobe, a capsule wardrobe kind of thing. Melissa Malice of Rebel and Malice is doing a Time for School Capsule Sew-a-long. There's a Facebook group that is a lot of fun and very helpful.

I've been working on another outfit for Project Run & Play with Frances & Suzanne this month so that will be coming soon. It's all about hand-sewing so be sure to check that out next week or follow me on Bloglovin' so you don't miss out.