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.

Love at first bounce...The Ash Jumpsuit

Who’s in love? Well, after being lucky enough to take part in the pre-launch test of the new Ash Jumpsuit pattern from Willow andCo, S and I are both pretty smitten with this creation. I made it a few weeks ago but am only allowed to release the details today…and it’s a sneaky peak prior to the collection launch on 22^nd April. That’s the exciting, hush-hush world of the pattern test for you,  all cloak and no dagger! At last the media blackout is lifted and I can spill the beans...

It’s so fun to take part in a pattern test – you build a community with your co-testers. Sometimes (infact most of the time) sewing can be a solitary affair but there’s something really cool about knowing that you’re sewing the same thing as a bunch of other people all around the world, and being able to talk to them about what you’re making makes it really a different experience.

And this garment is SOOOO cool! Check it out! A jump suit…but not a Wonder Years jumpsuit (not that I wouldn’t LOVE a 70's retro jumpsuit too), no, the Ash is a modern and fun take on the all-in-one. 

The pattern comes with a separate trousers and top variant too, but I love the style of the one piece. S light ups when she’s wearing it, it makes fun happen! She calls it her ‘Princess Jasmine’, mainly down to our fabric choice and the billowing trouser shape I think.

 This fabric I used is a vintage sari and is totally immense. I’ve had it for so long; it was hanging up around my window at University and has been the backdrop for the 3 kings at my class’s nativity at school. I think my Granddad brought it back from India and it is the most beautiful fabric I have ever seen. I was terrified to cut into it, which is why I’ve had it for so long, but I’m so glad I did because I’ve made something that makes my heart jump when I see how beautiful my little girl is in it.

 

Looking at the versions from other blogging testers I can see how versatile this pattern is, it has a completely different look in different fabrics and I will definitely be making more versions in the future.

Celina from Petit a Petit and Family (check out her uber-inspirational blog) designed the Ash which forms  part of the Wanderlust Glamping collection from Willow and Co pattern collective; a collective of talented blogging designers from around the world who’ve linked up for this totally awesome project.

Have a look at the collection. Doesn’t it all look great? You could have a whole summer wardrobe right there...very tempting.