Woop woop! Back at my sewing machine after a few weeks off, busy with work, a business trip to Vietnam and Thanksgiving.
My first foray back into sewing is the Kanerva peplum blouse by Named. I think the pattern is a sleek, modern take on the peplum and I love the button back. I've had my eye on it since I saw it pop up around the blogging world earlier this year... I was particularly enamored of Kirsty's two Liberty Kanerva blouses. Amazing.
This Kanerva is made with some Japanese cotton lawn I got locally here in Bangkok. It's bit sheer, but nice and floaty. I liked the floral because I thought it wasn't too lady-like because of the black, grey and mustard flowers, mixed in with just a tad of pink. I was also hoping black buttons would tone down any remaining girliness.
Construction was pretty straightforward. I used bias tape to face the neckline and hem. I'm not totally sure I did the waist pleat/seam correctly... it kept trying to roll upwards, so I ended up tacking it down at the ends by the button band and on the side seams.
My conclusion: I think the pattern fits me pretty well and has a lot of promise. I think my fabric choice was not ideal because of how sheer it is and how washed out it makes me look... up close I love it, but from afar, the floral all blends together and reads cream, which is not a good color for me. The shirt as a whole is growing on me, though!
A couple changes I'll make next time I sew up a Kanerva:
- Lower the neckline. Now that I read the instructions more closely I should have eliminated the seam allowance on the neckline since I was using bias tape facing- oops! As a result, it's a bit strangle-y. And the high neckline plus flowery fabric makes this particular Kanerva feel a bit Amish. No offense to any Amish reading this, it's just not a look I typically strive for. A necklace helps, though!
- Lengthen the sleeves just slightly and give myself a little more room in the upper arms. Can't keep my guns locked up!
Omg, I need some new poses...
I love the fabric, and I really like the sheerness! I think that with the necklace added, you don't look washed out at all.
ReplyDeleteThanks!! I just got back from a night out wearing in and I think I like it... the neckline was a bit constricting after a couple beers, though. I'll definitely fix that on my next iteration!
DeleteSomehow I have never seen this pattern before. It's so pretty! I love the pleat at the waist and I'm a sucker for a button back. I really like the fabric, too.
ReplyDeleteThe button back is definitely what sold me!
DeleteI really like the shape of the top on you! I'm not sold on the floral on its own either, but it looks really good with the necklace. I always feel like small floral prints need something - like contrast bias binding or buttons or something like that. I love the button back with the black buttons too!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I need to remind myself to go big with florals or not at all!
DeleteOh yeah, I also agree that while that print looks a bit subdued (in color, and attitude), with the necklace it's a knockout look. I need some jewelry that can transform clothes like that!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Yeah, the necklace definitely makes it work. Next time I make Kanerva I'll go for something much brighter that stands on its own!
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