Saturday 16 August 2014

How to make a Mara Blouse from an old shirt


 When Marte from Compagnie M selected me to be part of her 'Mara Blog action' I was really pleased...it was about a year ago that I did the original pattern test, before she launched the final pattern and I wanted to see how far my sewing had come on since then. Also it's a really cute pattern and S has grown out of the first one I made.

As I'd sewn it before I wanted to do something a little different, but still make something that was true to the original pattern, so I made this an upcycling project. Here's what I started with....
I bought this shirt to wear to my interview for teacher training...it was something I thought a teacher would wear, not something I would wear...or something I have worn more than a handful of times since, it also doesn't fit very well and has a stain on it...it needed to be made useful again!

It was a really simple make. I unpicked the ties from the front and used the Mara pattern pieces as they were, remembering to remove the seam allowance from the central part of the yoke piece. My blouse also already had pintucks in so I removed the excess from the lower bodice pattern piece cut them out of the shirt whilst the buttons were done up (treating it as one piece of fabric). Then I assembled it as the instructions suggest.

Space Cadet


 I added a bit of colour with some orange trim around the yoke and finished the arm holes with some broderie anglaise that I had.

 Then I added a little thread loop to each side and used one of the ties I removed from the shirt as a  belt. If you are making one from a different shirt (without ties) there would be plenty of fabric left in the sleeves of the shirt to make the belt and make bias for the arm holes, you don't need the trim if you don't have it, but it does look pretty!


The only real change to the pattern that I made was to lengthen it to a tunic length (that way I could use the original hem of the shirt = less sewing) and also because this version buttons all the way down I could take in the sides a little at the top to get a more fitted look without it becoming difficult to get on and off.

So there you go - a really quick and easy project which was freeee (once you have the pattern which is a very reasonable 7euro). Want to make one? You can can get 10% off the pattern price if you use the code MARA-ACTION.

Not sure what this face is about but at least you see the full finished tunic...



 See more lovely Mara's here.


6 comments:

  1. This is so cute. I love how you have added the lace on the sleeves, and the orange stitches really makes a difference to the top. Well done!

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    1. Thank you! I love a nice bit of trim it always jazzes things up!

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  2. OMG Lucy! How cute is this? Love your daughter in her new Mara outfit! The theme of the second round of PR&P is up cycling. Hope to find an idea as original as yours! M

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    1. Thanks Marte! I am soo excited about PR&P it's so cool that you're part of it this time. Lx

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  3. A fabulous refashion, Lucy!!! Love how you've kept some of the original elements of the shirt. A very pretty little blouse.

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    1. Thank you Pam! If only it was torrential rain outside she may even be able to wear it!!!

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