Amanda vs Simplicity 2154 Big Bow Blouse

Sometimes it's important to look subtle yet stylish.
Sometimes it's important to have a little sass in your outfit.
And sometimes you need a big ass bow taking over your blouse.

That's where we're at today, lovely readers, big ass bow land. This is not a bow that has met subtle. In fact, this is a bow that saw subtle on the street, ran up to it and gave it a good ole ninja chop with its rad bow ends. So now let us unleash the bow-ed beast!

Okay, I may have hyped this up a bit. But to me that is crazy big. Let's remember that until late last year I was not wearing anything that featured a collar let alone a bow. Now I have bow AND collar in one top. Things are sure crazy in 2013...

This sassy Simplicity 2154 skirt and blouse combo are my contribution to Julia Bobbin's Mad Men Challenge. I originally made a Betty 50s day dress in all its circle skirted glory but upon closer reflection the bodice is a red hot mess. After a brief mourning period over failed marvellousness (this included two episodes of Grand Designs, a bowl of strawberry ice cream and some robot dancing) I bucked up and got started on this blouse. Whilst I don't have one clear inspiration image I pulled this vibe from the Season One secretarial pool- I'm thinking lots of pencil skirts and blouses with crazy collars, scarfs or pussy bows...

This top is one part of the triumvirate of awesome known as Simpicity 2154- a 60s skirt, blouse and cardi combo. I mean, who can say no to pattern that gives you the entire ensemble in one envelope AND has the model on the cover looking like a retro air hostess? Not this frugal yet sassy seamstress. So given I have already put together the skirt it was time to match it up.

The blouse is pretty straight forward with construction. I shopped my stash for this project which, whilst cheap, meant that the fabric wasn't quite drape-y enough. As such I tapered the side seams to sit fairly close to my waist. I also narrowed the shoulders by 1cm either side so they ended on my shoulder bone. But the main feature is the bow. The hardest part of this was gathering the fabric but with the help of some hand stitching the job got done. And look at this monster- it is magnificent!

The back features a cute little feature near the collar. Like the front there is a slit about 3" long though with this one there is a button and thread loop closure. One could be subtle with this. Or one could chose a pink button. I think we all know which side of the fence I came down on...

What I liked about this pattern:

• The fact it is sleeveless. For the first time in ages I have a pattern that is meant to be sleeveless not one I have sassed up. Sure, winter is on the way but what is the good of staying warm when you have buff guns that need to be on show? *snicker* (I am actually pro sleeveless as I just hate the feeling of bunched sleeves under my cardis. Honestly, it feels like a shar pei puppy is hiding up there with all the sleeve material crazy going on.)
• The rear button closure. I love how this adds visual interest to the back. Plus, you can go crazy with the button selection. Sweet vintage pink flower blossom anyone?

What I would change for next time:

• Not interface the bow. My fabric didn't feel that thick but even with my super light weight blouse interfacing the bow became quite stiff. Don't get me wrong, I like a perky bow but this feels like it has been starched into submission.
• Sway back alteration. For some reason I completely forgot to do this and find I have to keep tugging the back of the blouse down into my skirt so I don't get a crazy fabric fold.

So there we have it- epic 60s office wear. This blouse was already on my to do list so I'm glad the challenge came along and popped this to the top. But more importantly this has been a blog post with very serious business photos. And that's not how we roll here at Bimble and Pimble. So here is my attempt a of looking sassy with a rose in my teeth... Except as it is an office setting you get a pen instead...

Sassy!