Crazy, Crafty Haute Mama: Phillipa Blouse by Bobkin Designs

Hooray! I'm so excited to have finally purchased my first issue of One Thimble Sewing Magazine*, but not only that I'm also touring with a host of awesome seamstress bloggers to show you why you NEED this issue. I got to make the Bobkin Designs Phillipa Blouse* and I think I may have impressed myself a little with this one, but first let me tell you a little about the magazine.

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One Thimble Sewing Magazine Issue 15 cover photo

One Thimble is a digital e-zine that comes out quarterly and makes me drool. Every. Single. Time. As usual, One Thimble drew me in with a stunning dress pattern on the cover, but wait a minute, there's just as many boy patterns! This issue's theme was preppy, hipster and layer-able and the designers blew it out of the park! Seriously, there was some major seasoned talent included. If you're into wardrobe capsules, want to get started on back to school sewing or just like to dress your dapper young man and fashionable little miss well you definitely want to pick up OT Issue 15*. You can see all the contributing designers below.

Ok, now onto this little gem of a blouse. As soon as I saw it I could picture Kiwi dressed like a little Audrey Hepburn: classic colors and clean lines. I imagined pairing it with the Dax Trousers* or Miriam Skirt* with a cute little Pom Pom Beret* and the V neck Cardigan*. Ma Chere! There were so many options for my little fashionista, but since the pattern is labeled Intermediate/Advanced I wanted to make sure that I could actually make the blouse first.

One thing I like about Phillipa is that it's like a choose-you-own-adventure pattern. The shirt closes down the back with either buttons or snaps and there are 3 neckline options, 2 collar options, 2 sleeve options, optional pintucks and Vanessa even shows you two different ways of finishing your garment which includes a twist on a classic that I definitely want to try.

My daughter chose the pointed collar with the V-neckline. I picked capped sleeves and we both picked out this pre-embellished fabric from Joann Fabrics. I wish that I knew what it was, but I really can't remember. The fabric is very light and thin so french seams were important for my assembly. Vanessa does them with a serger, but I just did the regular method since my serger is out of commission at the moment. The collar is pretty easy to assemble with the given instructions and overall the pattern went together smoothly, even my buttonhole foot mostly worked for me. For the size I did a lot of blending and was very surprised how easy it was even though I used 4 different sizes altogether. The overall width is a size 2. With the relaxed fit I worried that it would have too much ease for my daughter. I am not a fan of clothes being too big, but this was just about perfect. I only messed with the length and arm-scythe.

While getting the fit right was relatively routine, getting photos was another story. My daughter either does "maniac" or "I'm over this because you won't let me be a maniac". Go figure. I also forgot that white was a huge pain to photograph. Add on top of that the wrinkles in the material were almost a feature and the lace liked to burn while I worked on the wrinkles. Since I was in a time crunch I paired this top with the Marley Button Up Ruffle Pants that I made right before Easter. I happened to have used the same buttons for both.

I kind of like the idea of being able to pair preppy with whimsy and Kiwi certainly approved.

Here is what she considers to be some of her best modeling. (Also, don't worry, we will be painting our walls a less depressing color soon)

Still not sure whether or not you can live without this issue of One Thimble*? Check out the rest of the ladies on the tour for some awesome inspiration then come back and let me know what your favorite pattern was. I'd love to hear from you.

- Teronia

One Thimble Magazine Issue 15 Blog Tour

5/11/2017

Pattern Revolution

Marvelous Auntie M

5/12/2017

Max California

Pear Berry Lane

5/13/2017

Idle Sunshine

Made by Sara

That's-Sew-Kari

5/14/17

Tales of a Tester

Candice Ayala

Once Upon a Sewing Machine

5/15/17

Stitches by Laura

Sprouting Jube Jube

House of Estrela

5/16/17

SewSophieLynn

Gaafmachine

5/17/2017

Crazy, Craft Haute Mama

Adventures with Bubba and Bug

Lulu and Celeste

Phillipa Blouse by Bobkin Designs - One Thimble Issue #15 Blog Tour

One Thimble Magazine Issue 15 Blog Tour