Gertie's Portrait Blouse: Betsey Johnson Knit Edition

Dear readers,

I've made a second version of Gertie's Portrait Blouse (from New Book of Better Sewing (NBBS) and then memorialized the event by taking (silly) pictures.  First -  the sad news, Betsey Johnson is closing her retail stores as of this last summer. The good news, her fabric went to Mood and I benefitted from this sad event.   Hopefully, she'll be onto something even better!

 Another knit portrait blouse from Gertie's collection of patterns, blogged about in my last entry.  Super comfortable, fun to make and easy!  I might actually make one or two more:)

Here is the blouse on, as I am photobombed by Paddy below:

Another silly picture:

The sales person at Mood told me this fabric came from her closing retail stores. . . and I have found other butterfly like patterns in her collection from this year:

Very similar looking!  Betsey bring on your next round of shocking, silly, pink and wonderful - we're waiting for your next line!

My next projects are JStern's Khaki pants (in black denim), Sailor Pants from Hot Patterns (in Denim), and I think the Anise Jacket from Colette in Green Wool.

Gertie's Portrait Blouse (in Jersey Knit!) Review

Dear readers,

I've loved wonderful bloggers' Katie's version of the Portrait Blouse, and Rachel's version from My Messings reviews of the Portrait Blouse of Gretchen's book:   Gertie's New Book for Better Sewing.

I've constructed my own rendition, a jersey knit, above, after my silk(ish) woven toile failed.

Gertie's book is intriguing!  This pattern is only two pieces with facings for the collar.  The armholes are very small seams.  I should be able to draft a nice silk - but alas, I cannot.

Why?  I tried to rotate the darts on my princess-seamed sloper to then alter Gertie's pattern from the book - which I sketched out.  But for some reason, my rotation is not correct.  Gertie's pattern calls for side darts - and this is where my trouble lies.  Rather than construct another toile - I decided to go with two jersey knit fabrics from Mood, bought recently, with alterations based on the first toile.

The second blouse is under construction, while I speak (a wonderful Betsey Johnson jersey knit!).   This blouse took me less than two hours to construct once cut.  I WILL DEFINITELY make this again - it looks great under suits!

Another quick portrait blouse to follow!