My first make from Love at First Stitch is a Mimi Blouse. I made this in a soft cotton I purchased from one of the ‘coupon’ shops in Paris. The cotton is really soft and delicate – I wish I’d bought more! The buttons are some handmade polymer clay buttons I made a few months back.
I actually had my copy of Love at First Stitch early as I found it on sale in Waterstones before the official release date. That meant I was able to finish my Mimi in time to wear it to meet Tilly and get my copy signed at Guthrie and Ghani.
I have to admit to making some stupid errors in my Mimi. For a start the collar is a little wonky! I recently read a guest post on By Gum, By Golly by Sara of Lilies & Remains on her theory about f***ed but fabulous vintage clothing. I feel a bit similar about handmade clothing – I don’t worry too much about the odd error or wonkiness, or loose sleep over perfect pattern matching. Given all the effort that goes into a make, I embrace the imperfection and wear it anyway!
Having said that though there is one error that is annoying me that I’m going to go back and fix. When cutting or sewing together I’ve gone off the straight grain on the right-side of the blouse. It means that the right front hangs wrong. So I will be good and put that right – when I can tear myself away from the other makes that are in progress!
May 25, 2014 at 12:53 pm
Very pretty, it really showcases the fabric. I *love* that you made the buttons yourself too.
May 27, 2014 at 8:31 pm
Thank you. Only downside was that I only made small quantities so I had to scrape together enough that were the same size / color!
May 25, 2014 at 2:26 pm
Such a sweet blouse! Love the colour and your collar looks perfect in those pics. I’m working on a couple of the skirts from the book at the moment but Mimi is next! 🙂
Funny, I used to be a lot stricter on my sewing standards when I started first but now small mistakes really don’t bother me at all (maybe I’m just getting more lax?). So long as it doesn’t look a wreak from the outside and I’m still going to wear it with pride, then it’s definitely a win!
May 27, 2014 at 8:35 pm
Your Delphine is lovely – I’m planning it and a Clemence soon. I’m pretty sure you can never have too many skirts:) I agree, as long as a make feels comfortable on & looks reasonable wear it! I’d never nit-pick over faults in RTW clothes so it seems a same to do it with hand-made.
May 25, 2014 at 4:00 pm
So pretty! I’ve just made this blouse too and I love the pattern. No doubt I’ll have this in multiples shortly. Very impressed that you even made the buttons!
May 25, 2014 at 7:10 pm
Lovely blouse! It looks fantastic and I couldn’t see a wonky collar at all. I can’t wait to make this pattern.
May 27, 2014 at 8:36 pm
Looking forward to seeing it:)
May 25, 2014 at 10:36 pm
I love this ….”embrace the imperfections!” You are so right! I am going to start doing that too from now on!! Haha there may be a lot of embracing going on at my sewing table! 😃
May 27, 2014 at 8:30 pm
Me Made May has helped as It’s made me get the ‘unsuccessful’ makes out of the wardrobe & realise that actually they were fine after all
May 27, 2014 at 9:41 pm
I have just been telling my sewing buddy about it!! Can I use it on a blog post please? Will link to you!
May 27, 2014 at 9:46 pm
Of course!
May 26, 2014 at 3:03 pm
Cute blouse! I just ordered the book and this pattern is defintely on my list!
May 27, 2014 at 8:26 pm
Enjoy:) I’m planning to test out the skirts next.
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June 4, 2014 at 1:05 pm
I’ve finally got my mitts on Tilly’s book and the Mimi blouse will be the first thing I’ll make. It’s such a gorgeous pattern. Love your version.