After feeling paralysed about doing any sewing due to the ridiculously large garment sewing queue in my head, and choosing to ignore this feeling by reading in the evenings for several weeks instead, I finally settled on Marfy 3408 to kick things off.
Of course, that was many, many weeks (months?) ago now… I’ve been sidelined by a big project at work, which has just about finished.
This pattern gave me many surprises – pretty much all of them good. The gentle shaping in virtually all of the vertical seams really adds up to a beautiful outcome and is the kind of thing I’ve come to expect from a Marfy. The pentagon panel at the front provides shaping – and the almost bateau-neckline is lovely. I was concerned that this pattern style would be a little matronly on me – almost ageing?
FABRIC
I wanted to sew this up in a Crepe de Chine – how is it that I do not own more of this fabric type?!?! Criminal.
A quick check of the stash returned only one piece – which was earmarked for my next blouse. So I went shopping (online – as if I have time for bricks and mortar at the moment!), taking a leaf from Sophie’s book and hitting up Etsy. I found this:
It came from China, but looked exactly as it was pictured, and was decently weighted but not opaque (so I chose to underline it with white CDC). Prewashing it indicated that the colours were reasonably fast (I use this silk wash to handwash all my silk things – dry cleaning is the worst! I’m not a huge fan of the essential oil blend they use to scent it, but it’s at not overly affronting to the senses and the wash does do a good job) – having the colours run was what I was most worried about!
The repeat was nearly half a meter – so pattern matching wasn’t really an option. I did at least manage to get the blotches aligned at the front (but not at the sides) – and a teeny bit of a pattern match at the centre back seam:
PATTERN SIZING
It is the first time I have tried a different size – a 48 – as opposed to my usual 46. I ended up using the 48 across my shoulders and shaping down to a 46 under the bust. From wearing a Marfy blouse I’d made previously – 3449 – I’d thought it a smidge too tight and wanted to try the next size up.
I’ve typically given fitted woven tops a wide berth as I like a svelte fit but can’t abide not being able to move my shoulders/arms comfortably throughout the day. We’re all so used to the freedom of knit tops, aren’t we?
FLOUNCE DETAILS
The flounces looked terrible in the calico I sewed the muslin with – but the top is designed to be sewn in a crepe de chine or silk satin – so I figured that wouldn’t be an issue…
I had presumed from the stylised drawing that the flounce ends would be sewn into the centre front V shape – but they are ever so slightly longer than the seam here so are obviously designed to roam free. I did join them at the shoulder seam however – the seam lengths matched perfectly here.
I also chose to underline the flounces – else they would have been visually marred with the pattern underneath peeking through.
This presented a challenge to finishing the seam edges- in the end I took the risk to do a hand-rolled hem. You could say it was a roaring success – beautiful little stitches hidden underneath and not visible from the front thanks to the underlining. But having two layers of fabric rolled up in this tiny space does make the edge quite bouyant – and I couldn’t be sure if this would be too much until it was all sewn up.
I think in the end I think it acts a bit like a miniature version of horse hair braiding – it keeps the flounce’s natural curve well balanced and structured. I little less floppy than had it been just a single layer of CDC. I like it.
SLEEVES
Sewing friends thought it would look less age-ing if I shortened the sleeves to be capped – As the pattern is they fall a few cm above my inner elbow. I tried shortening one sleeve during the muslin phase and found myself still leaning towards longer.
I cut the sleeves with extra fabric space under the cuff so I could adjust based on what it would look like once completed. In the end, I succumbed to peer pressure and went short. The hem has just been tucked under on itself, ironed flat then slipstitched into place:
FINISHING
I ended up getting away entirely without a zip – I can pull this over my head quite easily. Very happy with that outcome.
I chose to draft some facings to hide the connections and cut seam allowances on the inside of the blouse – however I ran out of CDC (the last of the stuff I bought from Susan when I was in Baltimore back in 2013!) halfway through. I bought more, but of course it’s a slightly different shade. oops.
Oh yes – I did just recently acquire an overlocker! This was my first project using that machine. It’s not what I’d usually prefer to do for seam finishes – but these days time is hard to come by. So all the edges here are overlocked. The princess seam doesn’t sit the best across my bust as a result, but it was either that or not have a new top to wear!
The overall feeling for this blouse is that it’s a winner – I absolutely adore the fabric, it matches with both my corporate and casual wardrobe (I’ve already worn it to both) and I can even chase my daughter around the park and pick her up without worrying about the shoulder seams being too tight. So I’m very happy with this make!
Oh yes – and here’s some pictures of me actually wearing it :P
poppykettle 
The CDC you bought from Susan looks like the one I got from Beautiful Silks (near Warnambool) – gorgeous stuff, I lined my daughter’s wedding dress with it. I’m planning to (one day!) use the scraps to make some french knickers for ridiculously hot summer days :-)
Forgot to say your blouse is gorgeous!
Thanks! And yes, you should definitely do that. CDC is divine up against the skin on a hot day :)
Beautiful blouse – love the fabric and the fit. Well done. What is CDC, for those ofus on the other side of the globe?
Hi Barbara, CDC = crepe de chine (silk) – I’m a huge fan of an acronym! So please you like the top :)
Thanks. Good to know.
very pretty. You are so right about Marfy, their design and the shaping in their patterns is second to none.
Thanks Beth. You’re right – I’ve come to expect it but it’s always just such a pleasant sight to see it in action :)
I love the fabric and pattern. Your daughter is beautiful!
Thanks Pamela! :)
Definitely a beautiful fabric and you have done a fine job with it, inside and out!
Thanks Linda! :)
Just gorgeous. I love the seam lines on the pattern. Your fabric is beautiful, as are those tiny stitches on the hand rolled flounce hems. I have never even tried hand rolling a hem, so I am in awe. Beautiful work.
Thanks Katherine, the seam lines on this one are pretty cool. And I’m a little addicted to hand rolled hems – they’re surprisingly easy once you get the stitch direction down pat (and there is no shortage of youtube videos to help on that front) and pretty quick to stitch up as well. Going around a corner is a bit of a challenge!
a beautiful blouse! I was in fact getting matronly vibes looking at the patterns picture, but it’s turned out really very fetching irl!
Oh, glad I’m not the only one! I was worried, especially as my muslin didn’t do much to dispel those thoughts… I figured (hoped!) that the floaty silk would save it, and I’m pretty happy with how it did. Thank you!
You look fabulous in this pretty blouse. And it does not look matronly at all!
Thanks Tomasa :) I’m glad you don’t think so!
Hi! New blog follower here! I love this blouse!
Thank you! :)
It’s gorgeous, not even a pinch matronly and I love the fabric print
It’s a fun print, that’s for sure. Matches with heaps of things too, because of all the colours! Thanks Esther! :)
What a wonderful pattern and fabric. Sophisticated but fun and young through the fabric choice. A very nice project that suits and fits you well
Thank Abbey! :)
This is so so gorgeous! I would have thought the front flounce sewed into the notch too, going by their illustration. Gosh I love that print!
Yes there is always something small but important about each Marfy pattern that I thought would be different! Thanks Sheryll :)
Very pretty!
Thanks Vicki! :)
Well hello, rad painterly top! The pentagon shaping on this is so lovely and the fit looks great. All hail the power of woven tops that don’t feel like they will split when you reach forward :D
(p.s. welcome to the dark side of the time poor force with the overlocker!)
Thanks Amanda! The arm movement range on this one is stellar!
So lovely, and such a great fit on you! Beautiful rolled hem on that flounce! And how exciting about the overlocker, so awesome for knits!
Except that I never sew knits haha! The plan was to start, but I have maybe 3 knits in my stash. Good excuse to go fabric shopping, huh?
Thanks – and hope you’re doing well (and bubs, too!) x
The flounce is very en-vogue at present The colours in the fabric look lovely on you. Great fit too. Well done!
Just re- read your post! and want to add – The shorter sleeve was a good decision. How about using the same pattern in a merino wool knit, three quarter length sleeves and using your overlocker to roll hem the flounce :-)
Thanks Carol – you know, that’s a great idea – this would work probably even better in a lightweight merino – and it would be super cosy! I might have to go fabric shopping!
That is just lovely. I appreciate your point about the rolled hem with 2 layers of fabric.
Thank you :)
Just dreamy.
I’m always wary about Marfy patterns as real live humans look nothing like the drawings but you’ve made this top your own – lovely., more than lovely…….
It can be hard to make that mental translation sometimes, and in this case even the muslin I made wasn’t that great (and only further confirmed my fears of it being matronly) – but it did turn out wonderfully in the silk! Thanks Ruth! :)
Love the fabric so much! It goes great with this design too, and it doesn’t make you look older at all. Such a nice new top!
Thanks Kelly – it certainly is fabulous fabric, I’m very much in love with it!
Absolutely adore the fabric you used! What a great blouse, I love the unusual seamlines. Always fun to see Marfy patterns sewn up!
Thanks Lisa – couldn’t agree more either, I always get excited when I see a Marfy pattern sewn up!
I’m in agreement with others that this fabric is amazing. Such a pretty and interesting print. Marfy patterns are fun as they always seem to add great details. Enjoy this and maybe there are variations in the works?
This is so pretty – I love the fabric choice, and your alterations work really well.
Your sewing is next level stuff Melanie! So detailed and well fitted. Really inspiring! I must get around to trying a Marfy pattern