New Look 6660 - Rhapsody in Black

New Look 6660, view B - black cami underneath was not handmade

This blouse was absolutely not planned. I was at Tissus Reine last June to look for trims or something, probably for the swimming suit; I happened to look at the New Look catalogue (browsing the catalogues there is always a treat, as the pictures are so much better and larger than on the pattern companies' websites). My eyes fell on this pattern, and I just had to get it. Only when the clerk handed me the envelope did I realize that it was designed for juniors. At 27, I might seem too old for a junior pattern; but my measurements still matched, and I am very small (1m54 = just over 5'), so I thought it'd be OK. The measurements are different from the women's patterns; for reference, I cut a 7/8 for the back and a 9/10 for the front. I could have got away with a size smaller, but this isn't meant as a fitted top, anyway.
Note to self: browse the junior sections in pattern catalogues more often.

At the back of Reine's ground floor (just under the stairs) is a table featuring all black fabrics, often offered at a reduced price (or perhaps it was simply because it was sales time in France back then). Going back downstairs after I'd got the pattern, I happened upon a gorgeous cotton lace priced at 6 euro a metre. Et voilà! Quite serendipitously, a whole project was born.

Here is a close-up so you can see the lace better:

The fabric had a scalloped edge; I cut the bottom ruffles along it. Unfortunately, it wasn't wide enough to be used at the sleeves, too.

This was the first time I did an elaborate project with sheer fabric. There is simply no room for mistake when you work with sheers. Everything will be see-through; every seam has to be perfect. But you know me - right? I love a challenge, as many of us sewists do.

At first I thought French seams were the way to go; but it proved too bulky for this airy lace. I ended up serging all the seams with a narrow stitch. The sleeves are hemmed with a rolled hem; the front is bound with satin bias tape.

I loved, loved making this.