Liberty Granville Shirt and Anemone Skirt

Vintage Liberty Collection

Vintage Liberty Collection – *Swoons*

Another day, and more gorgeous fabric! It seems like I’ve come to the end of my vintage Liberty which is sad in some ways but also wonderful to see new life given to fabric that has been stored and loved for many years. I’ve saved every scrap, and have taken to weave wrapping for gifts and hoarding hexagons for a quilt. I can’t recall ever being so attached to fabric before.

Today I received a beautiful thank you card, thanking me for my thank you letter from my benefactor. This of course requires another thank you note to thank Ms J for thanking me for my thank you. I discovered that I was made custodian of three generations of fabric, *swoon*. This is sewing love. And this is why I love sewing and the sewing and fabric community.

Vintage Liberty Grainville and Viscose Anenome

Vintage Liberty Grainville and Viscose Anenome

As soon as this fabric was presented to me (in a most queenly fashion followed by squeals of delight) I knew it was destined for a shirt. Fabric often speaks to me (just don’t tell my doctor) and I was overcome by the print and the softness of the Liberty. It could not have found a happier home than mine.

Vintage Liberty Grainville and Viscose Anenome

Vintage Liberty Grainville and Viscose Anenome

Another Granville shirt from Sewaholic. The only adjustments I need to make to Sewaholic patterns are to add length in the body and sleeves. Then the fit is perfect. Dream patterns.

Vintage Liberty Grainville and Viscose Anenome

Vintage Liberty Grainville and Viscose Anenome

I’ve still got a little way to go until I perfect my plackets, but I’m happy with the result this time.

Vintage Liberty Grainville and Viscose Anenome

Vintage Liberty Grainville and Viscose Anemone – Praying for Fabric

And the skirt! Completely forgot that I’d made it months ago. How does one do that? Trying to embrace new shapes and expand my handmade wardrobe I ventured out to the Anemone pattern from Deer and Doe using some left over viscose purchased from The Fabric Store.

Vintage Liberty Grainville and Viscose Anenome

Vintage Liberty Grainville and Viscose Anenome

Several versions of these have popped up in my instagram feed and I had planned to experiment with the more fitted, higher waist skirt and shift away from the usual fit and flare. I think after seeing it in photos I’d wear it to work. And perhaps give it another press. It did spend the last 6 months balled up in my tops draw… Eek.

Vintage Liberty Grainville and Viscose Anenome

Vintage Liberty Grainville and Viscose Anenome

It’s a little corporate for my usual style but with the the addition ribbons and flowers I think I’ve captured my quintessential Pipsie style. That high waist does keep everything in place whilst allowing continued breathing and eating. The pattern was made  straight from the envelope without adjustment. Sadly it was that long ago that I can not recall the size…

Vintage Liberty Grainville

Vintage Liberty Grainville

And how could anything look bad with that shirt!

Vintage Liberty Grainville

Vintage Liberty Grainville – Baby Got Back

See that waist to hip ration? That’s  why Sewaholic patterns are made for my bosom, waist and derrière measurements.

Vintage Liberty Grainville

Vintage Liberty Granville

Deer and Doe Anemone Skirt

Deer and Doe Anemone Skirt

The skirt was fully lined, and I love the peplum on the sides. A rather pretty point of interest that is quirky and doesn’t add volume to the hips.

Vintage Liberty Grainville

Vintage Liberty Grainville

So next time you see any vintage Liberty here, it should be in the form of hexagons. Unless of course anyone has a stash they would like to gift to me. I would be happy to oblige.

Happy weekend lovelies!

Curtsey

Pips xxx

Photos by Bruce. Fabric gifted from the estate of Ms J. Hair flowers from Gardens of Whimsey. Shoes from Camper. Tights from Tightology.

Advertisement

Liberty Granville

Hello, and curtsey to you all.

I’m a little on the excited side today. In fact, positively beside myself, to the left. I think the word I’m after is proud. After feeling as though I had peaked much to early this year (the first week of January to be exact) with this outfit, I’m pleased to say that I have achieved my most technical sewing feat to date. I am, I’m sure in Jane Austin’s mind, accomplished.

Grainville Shirt, Liberty

Grainville Shirt, Liberty

Some said it was brave, although personally I thought it a little reckless using Liberty for a new shirt pattern given it is the third shirt I’ve ever stitched together. But I’m remaining true to my promise to Bruce and the Fabric Gods: I shall not purchase any fabric unless absolutely necessary. Given this was the only piece of fabric that had the right yardage and wasn’t irreplaceable vintage, it seemed like the perfect choice. The stash does not lie.

Grainville Shirt, Liberty

Grainville Shirt, Liberty

I’ve previously made up the Meissa blouse from Paper Cut patterns but the shape just wasn’t me. (Note that I made this one up in Liberty as well, but have since pulled it apart to be repurposed for quilts and other projects). Then Tasia from Sewaholic published the Grainville shirt which is fitted to provide definition and designed for the pear shape. My stay on purchasing patterns was promptly set aside for a full 2.5 minutes to allow for a swift purchase from Sew Squirrel.

Grainville Shirt in Progress

Grainville Shirt in Progress

I made my usual pattern adjustment of adding 2.5cm to the bodice length, and even though there were whispers that the sleeves were quite long, I added 2.5cm to the sleeve as well. I’m glad that I did. I’ve never had a shirt with sleeves so long in my life.  They feel, what’s the word I’m looking for… Almost normal. Such a peculiar feeling. I do have exceptionally long arms. No, really. They are that long. It’s the reason I feel so connected to the orangutang. We share that in common. Plus we both are blessed with goofy faces.

Grainville Shirt, Liberty

Grainville Shirt, Liberty

Construction was seriously straight forward. I followed the pattern instructions and used this tutorial from Sewaholic on attaching the collar and stand. Such a wonderful, immaculate finish. Can’t speak highly enough of it. I skipped top stitching on the princess seams at the back and on the yoke. My fabric was too pretty and too busy to worry about that. I also used french seams throughout, except for setting in the sleeves.

Grainville Shirt, Liberty, The Sleeves

Grainville Shirt, Liberty, The Sleeves

I adore this shirt. And I can wear it tucked in, something I haven’t been able to do since 1994.

Grainville Shirt, Liberty

Grainville Shirt, Liberty

Next on the list is a short sleeve version in a vintage Liberty. Cutting into that one may cause some nerves. But I must hold strong.

Grainville Shirt, Liberty

Grainville Shirt, Liberty

I’ve also got the Oakridge shirt and the Archer shirt to try. My old style of shirt, knitted vest, skirt and tights may be making a return for Winter 2015.

Grainville Shirt, Liberty

Grainville Shirt, Liberty (Stitching Looks Less Wonky in Real Life)

Do you have a favourite shirt pattern?

Grainville Shirt, Liberty

Grainville Shirt, Liberty

Curtsey and happy sewing to you all.

Grainville Shirt, Liberty, Country with a little Western

Grainville Shirt, Liberty, Country with a little Western

Pips xxx

Photos: by Tash and Bruce