Following an inquiry on Stitcher’s Guild I decided to post the actual Marfy patterns I have ordered. If you are coming here from Stitcher’s Guild, this may prove to be repetitious.
I ordered 5 patterns, which seems like pretty few, not that I always order more (although I have — no fear of excess here) and I have ordered fewer in some seasons, but that the competition for those slots was pretty slim. Spring clothes are not my favorites by any means.
I ordered three blouses. This is the first one. I took this photo of a page in the magazine; it may not be as nice as the later photos which are all courtesy of Marfy .
I like this rather loosely gathered blouse primarily because of the double gathers and it does, to me, at least look more "Renaissance or Roman" as described by the Marfy catalog than "peasant blouse". It would be lovely in a lightweight silk knit and I can see it in a softly draped woven as well. Boho may be going out for next year, but I think this kind of shape always comes back and strikes me as the perfect kind of thing for summer afternoons by the pool, even when it is no longer fashionable for more formal events.
My first thought on seeing this blouse was how lovely it would look in a light, almost platinum gray silk double georgette with satin bands. I also imagine it with illusion sewing in the shoulders between the straps, although I realize that this does pose a bit of an engineering challenge from the way it looks like the blouse is designed. I will have to look at the pieces. It may be a silly idea, ultimately abandoned, and I don’t own pale gray illusion (does it exist?). But at the moment the idea still lives in my head and must be pursued further.
The remaining photos are, as stated earlier, all courtesy of the Marfy website .
II have long loved blouses more than knit tops and for years I survived on those treasured silk blouses from previous times (decades?) and gradually succumbed to the lure of the knit top. Knits are more sleek, but blouses to me feel more feminine. And perhaps because of my scoliosis, I always feel that I look better in a blouse if I am not wearing a jacket, than I do in a tee or knit shell.
At any rate, my old blouse supply is dwindling and it is time for a restocking. Perhaps I am more confident now, or just more of a fuddy duddy, but if blouses go out again, they will probably not make a similar exit from my wardrobe.
This blouse, Marfy 1251, is a lovely classic blouse shape that I know will look good on me. I purchased the pattern because of the ruffled drape on one collar. Yes I probably could have reproduced it. But Marfy patterns are so well cut that I don’t mind buying a different shape, and this one is slightly different than those Marfy patterns I already own.
The ruffle may or may not be an issue. I am afraid of dragging it through my soup, but I do like the look. A compromise may be reached. With or without the ruffle, it remains a classic.
You might notice that this is the blouse shown on the cover of the Marfy catalog. I loved it right away. Twist tops have been ubiquitous and perhaps I don’t need another, but the description describes it as being used for a knit or a woven and I can really imagine this in a soft summer voile or lawn or a soft silk print.
I know the style will look good on me from the front and back view, all I really care about. I will have to lengthen it, and perhaps sew that center seam closed a little further — I am no longer at the age where I feel that navel exposure is appropriate. It may be a little low cut, but it may not be, only a muslin will tell.
I could probably avoid the gathers below the bust from the profile view, but then I don’t really care about the profile view anymore. I finally came to terms with the idea that I am rather egg shaped, at whatever weight, even at my really skinniest, I was never one who "disappearance" when turned sideways. This may be to my scoliosis and the fusion, which, I am told "pushed my organs forward" or it may just be my basic anatomy. Deciding to "embrace my inner egg" was one of the best decisions of my life, and saved me a ton of worry and dissatisfaction.
I ordered this jacket pattern because of the interesting seaming and the stand-up collar. I am almost always swayed by stand up collars, just as I am swayed by wide standaway collars, both looks that flatter me. I am also very tempted by different variations on seams and darts. It is these details of sewing that hold my constant attention and I find fascinating.
Sporty in this picture, this is also a very versatile jacket shape that could look very different, depending on the fabric used.
But then, most people would look at two jackets made in wildly different fabrics and never realize they were made from the same pattern. I suppose that would be an argument for owning only one jacket pattern. But it doesn’t work for me.
I also ordered a skirt pattern:
Which could be sporty as described in a cotton or twill or could be quite elegnant in a crepe.
