The BBB (Backwards Birdie Blouse)

Picture this.

You have a fantastic piece of fabric that your mother-in-law gave you for your birthday a year and a half ago. You look at it occasionally and wonder if now is the time to use it. Knowing that it is only a one- metre cut, you wait until you are confident in your sewing skills and have the perfect pattern for it.

Perfect pattern found, you lovingly lay out your pattern pieces on the fabric. Check, double check. 

You cut out all the pieces and proudly admire your handiwork, and think how lovely it's going to look.

Fast forward to the next day when you begin the fun part...sewing! 

You take one of the front pieces and sew the waist dart, then put it aside to start on the next front piece. That's when it hits you...

...where is the bust dart?

Starting to mutter, "No, no, no" and knowing what you have done, but not wanting to believe it, you find the 'back' piece and your fears are confirmed...

...you have cut out two backs and one front, instead of two fronts and one back. Of a piece of fabric that you've been saving for the perfect project, for a year and a half. And there's none of it left.

CRAP. There goes my perfect top. 

I was not going to give up, so I decided to make it a back-button blouse. 

 

Pattern used: Kwik Sew 3668 and New Look 6808 for sleeves

Fabrics and notions 

Gorgeous Michael Miller quilter's cotton

Black polka dot buttons

Interfacing, thread

 

 

Pattern alterations or any design changes

Because the blouse was backwards, I couldn't use the adorable mandarin collar. I didn't have enough fabric left to make a decent collar so I just drafted some neckline facings.

I added the cute little sleeves from  New Look 6808 because I thought it would look sweet.

I tapered the waist up to a size 10.

I left out the interfacing in the button placket.

Don't mess with me!

Did you use any new skills?  

Drafting a facing...does that count?

 

Problems?

None, except that I need to get a brain.

 
Cost
Fabric: Gift

Buttons: 6 @ 60 cents

Interfacing, thread: Stash

Total: $3.60

Wearability factor

It's fantastic! I can't tell you how much I love the print, or the sweet little sleeves.

Lesson learned: Check once, check twice, check three times!!!