Second Sassy - finally!

For the first time in months I feel that I have enough head space to get back into regular sewing time. I even started thinking about UFOs. I currently have two sewing projects hibernating and they are beginning to play on my mind. So this week I put on my big girl pants and faced one. My second Sassy Librarian Blouse.

I completed my first SLB last year. I love this pattern. L. O. V. E. The neckline and cute Peter Pan collar, the vents that aren't darts and just enough shaping to stop it from being boxy and yet not fitted. And then there are all the options - sleeves or sleeveless, tucks at the front, a cute bow at the front opening.

For my second one, I decided to have a go at the tucks and sleeveless bound armscye. I also made the collar and armhole binding is in a solid contrasting fabric to the patterned main fabric. I added 1" in length. I'm a bit long waisted. A little between the bust dart and armscye and a bit more between the bust dart and vents. But I did forget to increase the length of the front facing. Duh!I

I refreshed my knowledge on pleated fronts and bound armscyes on the Craftsy platform. I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed Christine's style. What a great smile!

The blouse came together really well. I motored through the tucks. And then....

Stopped...

Fast forward 18 months (yes, really that long). I had pulled a heap of stuff out of my craft cupboard and was looking at the pattern pieces - all cut out and ready to go. There were fewer reasons to put it all back away than to get to and finish it. So I did. Using a pattern for a second time is a bit like riding a bike; you never forget. It did help that I'd written copious notes during make #1. But I did re-review (is this a word?) binding the armscye on Craftsy. I made up the collar and faced the shirt. I found making the collar and manipulating the facings so much easier this time.

Using different fabric for the collar and binding did present a small challenge. I think that the armscye binding could have been a little longer. The binding fabric wasn't as flexible as the main fabric.

All in all I'm really pleased with the way SLB#2 turned out. I do have fabric for #3. Hopefully it won't be 18 months before I finish this one. :)