The Valley Blouse

21.10.15

My kick off to enter this sewing blogging world was with a Cali Faye dress. Though I made a couple of posts before talking about it, it was ready in the backstage and the main reason that made me start the blog, so I could share with you all what I´ve done and hopefully inspire you.
I´ve grown fond of her designs, simply because I can picture myself in all of them, they´ve got the style and look I aim for. I´m pretty sure not all patterns suit all people, and here personal taste has a bigger influence than size. My hope, above all, is that you appreciate what you see here and inspire you to make something special for yourself: that RTW blouse you saw, that precious fabric you´ve been hoarding, that Pinterest image you saved for later.




The Valley Blouse was e.xac.tly what I was needing in my wardrobe: I`ve bought a lot of large boho style blouses in the past and was saving the rest of this fabric (which I first used in my Aberdeen vest) to make one. Match made in heaven with this pattern but fabric matching hell. The fabric is the most lightweight voile rayon challis, really close to gauze, which means it´s got that hyperactive factor: it runs away from scissors, pins, needles, so extra extra care was taken while cutting and sewing. I had to match the fabric´s pattern at the yokes, sleeves, center back, body, cuffs, every seam got match control to achieve the "no-way-you-did-that" look. Fabric like this might be hard to find, but Sweet Mercerie carry some like this light viscose or this voile that would be perfect for such a pattern, where flowiness is required.





This is the first testing version with no alterations. By now, Sarah has corrected it for a little less scoop and added a facing to the keyhole feature. The front yokes are lined, the sleeves are slightly puffed and the gathers just make it drape beautifully. Instructions guide you through all steps, but a steady hand is required: there´s a little of stitch in the ditch in the yoke and cuffs, or you can hand stitch if you´re awesome like that. Patience and love is necessary to distribute the gathers evenly and to set in the sleeves.








Love is in the details, like using the most precious vintage buttons you inherited from your grandmother.
I´m saving some talk for a next post where I´ll have another version matching my daughter. Yes, there´s a Valley for girls too. Grab your Valley until October 26, 11:59 EDT  (October 27, 1:59 AEDT), enter the coupon code VALLEYBLOUSE for 30% off your entire purchase.

This blog post contains affiliate links, but all opinions are my own.

28 comentários

  1. Beyond beautiful! Is this blouse a Cali Faye design? If so I didn't find it on her site. It does look like it took lots of love to sew it, and definitely worth it!

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    1. Hello Melody and welcome here! It will be available within the next few days! It looks quite professional but not that hard to sew, if you use a light but plain fabric there´s no worry about the pattern matching, so it´ll be quicker! And yes, worth it! <3

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  2. Beautiful! Can't wait to see that "matchy-matchy"! :)

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  3. AMAZING! It's looks great on you :-) Love the pattern!

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  4. Tecido lindo, mulher ainda mais linda! Fica-te super bem, é mesmo o teu estilo! ;-) <3

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    1. Ohh Patrícia! <3 <3 Obrigada minha querida!

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  5. I adore your fabric choice :)

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    1. Morgan dear, i think a fabric swap might be in order one of these days ;) Thank you for stopping by! <3

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  6. Lovely make! The fabric is perfect.

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  7. Beautiful -- love that fabric choice!

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    1. Thank you Catey, the fabric does all the work here ;)

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  8. Também gosto imenso da Cali Faye! E este top ficou lindo! Muitos parabéns!

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    1. Obrigada Helena, bem vinda aqui! O molde vai sair em breve! ;)

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  9. Match made in heaven mesmo! E fica-te tãooooo bem!!! =D

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  10. A blusa ficou linda e super bem feita, o tecido é muito muito giro. E fica-te realmente bem, como de costume ��
    Mas pela descrição, parece um bocado complicado de fazer... Mas está top top top!

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    1. Obrigada Tânia! Bem, não diria complicada, mas tem alguns passos que precisam de atenção e paciência, principalmente quando se usam tecidos muito finos; passei quase o mesmo tempo no ferro que na máquina de costura ;)

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  11. Ok I have no words because this is freakin' amazing! It suits you beautifully and fabric choice and button are perfection! <3 <3 I have to make this one day! GORGEOUS

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    1. Thank you love! Yes, you MUST, this will suit you beautifully! <3

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  12. Saw your blouse on cali Faye blog and has to be my favorite!!! You made me want to buy this pattern just love your style pick of fabric. Though my fear with this blouse how does this.pattern work with a lady that has a full rack ? Any suggestions before I purchase

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    1. Hi Angela thank you so much! Well I´m actually a C cup but the pattern has quite a bit of ease below bust line. My suggestion is that you go by the bust measurement and do a quick muslin of the bodice, just the two front pieces and the back, no lining, to see where it falls. You could easily add a little more lenght to the front yokes if you´re full busted.

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  13. Such a beautiful blouse. You always have the most gorgeous fabrics.

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    1. Thank you Melissa! We do have a nice selection of lightweight fabrics here in Portugal, but on the other hand, good knits are harder to find. ;)

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