Earlier this year I got a new vintage blouse pattern. This spring when the weather heated up (before it cooled back down again…*ahem*…), I realized I was constantly rotating through a few favorite house dresses and skirt/blouse combos that didn't need extra layers beneath. And I have very few blouses that both match that criteria and fit me!

So when I was in a sewing mood this spring, I took out my new blouse pattern and a piece of vintage bark cloth, and decided to whip up a summer blouse.

The fabric has a giant one way print, and had a stain in the center, and I didn't have much of it. Thankfully I could just so fit the front piece above the stain, and the back piece below it, and squeeze out the arm hole facings. I was able to manage even with the very limited wiggle room to place the front pieces so the print looked nice. Gotta watch where those large roses land.

I did not make shoulder pads for this one, so the silhouette is not as dramatic as in the illustrations. If I made a dressier version I might do it, but for this quick, everyday version (and my shoulders are already pretty wide) I just skipped it.

I didn't have enough fabric for a front facing, so I went with a contrast – and like it better with this busy print, anyway. 

I love how many colors can be worn with the blouse. Gray, rose, white, burgundy, black…and it's probably the only thing in the whole closet with chartreuse in it. I accented it with black fabric and vintage buttons, often wear it with this gray skirt for everyday, but I'm wearing it here with the dark green skirt from my recent 1930s 3 piece set. 

I think this will be my go-to summer blouse pattern, and it would work so well for both everyday or dressy wear. It is as cool as a sleeveless blouse, but with more shoulder coverage. 

And it is just so quick and easy! A few darts on each side (I like those slanted ones), sew side and shoulder seams, add facings, work hems and buttonholes. That's it!

The arm hole facings were the only part that was at all even slightly tricky, and they weren't that bad. Oh, and the pattern was missing the back facing, so I had to wing that. Thankfully that is the best piece to be missing!

I added extra to the back when cutting it out, since this is the trial, but I ended up taking it in enough that next time I think I'll cut out the pattern without any extra fabric. So the fit is not perfect on this one, but certainly good enough for a comfortable, easy to wear everyday blouse. 

The giant floral pattern certainly adds a splash of more unusual colors to my wardrobe. And I was delighted to find a good use for this lonely piece of heavy duty vintage cloth languishing for years in my drawer. Actually, since this blouse takes so little fabric, it really is ideal for those smaller or narrower pieces in my stash! I have several more versions planned for the future, so you'll certainly see this pattern again.