'Merica Eagle Muslin

Flashback Summer: 'Merica Eagle Muslin - 1940s button down blouse shirt outfit

I think most of us can deeply appreciate the beauty of a well-fitted button down shirt, as well as its El Dorado-level scarcity that makes it such a prize to have.  Being short, narrow-shouldered, and in love with 1940s styles, I have had a lot of difficulty finding such a blouse to add to my wardrobe, so I've endeavored to make it myself.

I discovered a really great contender with this 1940s pattern I sewed up a while ago.  Since then, I sewed other views from the pattern to make some work shirts for myself.  While it was fantastic, it also came untucked a lot when I would reach for things at work, and that annoyed me greatly.

Flashback Summer: 'Merica Eagle Muslin - 1940s button down blouse shirt outfit

Thus... I implemented this flex-sleeve armscye hack from the Boyer Sisters' blog, and it did wonders!  I am getting closer to the perfect blouse pattern, step by step...

I decided to round off the bottom of the armhole adjustment made in the hack tutorial, and I felt quite good that this was it. I would have a perfect blouse.  I recalled this hideously-awesomely 'Merica eagle fabric I had bought and new it would be perfect for a wearable muslin test of my pattern adjustments.  If it failed, I wouldn't be too upset.  If it worked... I would have a crazily American eagle shirt to wear, which is an obvious win.

It turned out perfectly wearable, as you can see!  While I feel it's the patriotic version of a wolf shirt, it's always acceptable to be cheesily patriotic in the Midwest.

Flashback Summer: 'Merica Eagle Muslin - 1940s button down blouse shirt outfit

Flashback Summer: 'Merica Eagle Muslin - 1940s button down blouse shirt outfit

The only issue?  I may have forgotten about directional prints, and now the eagles on my back are forever swooping downward.  But I don't see that part when I wear it, so I can deal with it.

Flashback Summer: 'Merica Eagle Muslin - 1940s button down blouse shirt outfit

At this point I'm getting nitpicky, but I have just one very small tweak for the next version... and, seriously, it will be a perfect blouse.  I just want to trim the front of the armscye to curve in a bit more, and it'll be good.  I've traced the adjusted pattern pieces to make new, fresh pieces to use on my next round of blouse-sewing.  

Flashback Summer: 'Merica Eagle Muslin - 1940s button down blouse shirt outfit

Flashback Summer: 'Merica Eagle Muslin - 1940s button down blouse shirt outfit

Until then, this blouse does quite nicely!  I wore it to a lunch date with my husband at the Aviary Creperie, one of my favorite restaurants in town. The bloused fit and cotton content makes it a perfect shirt for the upcoming patriotic summer season of July!

Flashback Summer: 'Merica Eagle Muslin - 1940s button down blouse shirt outfit

Flashback Summer: 'Merica Eagle Muslin - 1940s button down blouse shirt outfit

Outfit Details
blouse: me-made, Simplicity 4762
trousers: me-made, WH "Smooth Sailing" Trousers
belt: bought at local festival
shoes: Swedish Hasbeens
purse: gifted, from Kenya

Have any of you tried a flex-sleeve adjustment or found another tweak that aids in increasing mobility in vintage blouse patterns?  What do you think of this hideously-awesomely 'Merica eagle print?

11 comments

  1. What a cool blouse and it is such a cool look with the trousers too. I have a rather narrow frame as well and don't have much of a problem with vintage blouse patterns - but I have started to make my own using original 40s Lutterloh patterns . . .For the other patterns I do have an issue with I lengthen the blouse and that's it for the most part just to make sure they stay tucked in better.
    Jennie from theuglydame.blogspot.com

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    1. That's a good call. I usually just have to bring in the shoulders of most blouses 1-2" to make the shoulder and sleeve shape correct (especially with puffed sleeves), and I size down in 40s blouses and go with a bust size one smaller than my measurements. It works pretty well.

      I've never tried the Lutterloh patterns, but I've heard good things!!! Maybe someday I'll be able to try the system out.

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    2. You can buy the modern ones easily but the vintage ones are harder to find because the company does not reprint them (look at ebay for the vintage ones) As a whole, a very interesting and unique system that has been in use since the early 30s (1934 I think?) You also need the ruler to make the patterns work too. I have the ruler on my blog and hope to offer some free patterns In the future for those who are sewing adventurous. Since the patterns have no instructions I want to have the tutorials to go with them. I enjoy it in particular because it is both fashion and history all rolled into one. . what is better than that?
      Jennie from theuglydame.blogspot.com

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    3. That's good to know! Thank you very much, Jennie!

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  2. That is... quite a print! :P I think you pretty much covered with the cheese patriotism comments, but it's really fun in a kitschy way. It looks like it fits you admirably well, so I think the pattern looks like a hit. Maybe you should make all of your shirts impeccably tailored but with really silly patterns.

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    1. Haha, thanks Jessica! This one did happen to work out, but I'm selective in where I wear it... For some reason my husband didn't want me to wear it to his military officer commissioning... I can't see why... HA!
      I'm liking the fit on this, too. Hopefully it will still work on my next attempts!

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  3. Sooo true about blouses! Like yourself, I'm short, narrow/small shoulders (so often shoulder seams hit me inches down my upper arm!), and not too long in the torso. Add in that I'm not very busty, and well fitting blouses - vintage included - can actually be one of the trickiest garments for me to find. Kudos on tackling the issue head on and creating your own. This eye-catching eagle version is awesome and really looks terrific with those elegant grey trousers.

    ♥ Jessica

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  4. Haha, this blouse is fantastic! I love novelty prints, and this one can't help but make a person smile. Well done!

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  5. love this outfit, stylish and casual at the same time

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  6. Just found you via IG. I too am on the hunt for a well fitting button up. Have the vintage patterns just need the time! But,you have a fabulous style. Love looking!

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  7. Wooo, love it! Sometimes you just need to go with a novelty print! I am hankering after the unicorns and rainbow skirt I saw the other week, hehe!

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