A V-J Day Blouse



In case you didn't know, V-J day (the day marking Allied victory in Japan in WWII) was yesterday!  I happened to have made one of my most 'Merican shirts ever, so I took the opportunity to wear it, of course!  (And you saw it on the day I debuted my Smooth Sailing trousers, too!)

I used a 40s shirt pattern I have now made up several times (you can see my first version and pattern details here), but it turned out a bit blousier than I thought it would.  My first version doesn't seem to have this much ease, but it's also made by a thin, drapey cotton, which may explain it.  The fabric I used here is thicker, and I can't remember for the life of me exactly what it is content-wise. Obviously, I bought it for the print!



I saw this fabric at Joann a while ago and liked the Air Force theme and WWII symbols included.  I paired it with some gold US seal buttons with the classic eagles for a completely and utterly 'MERICA look.  My husband laughed when he saw it, but he knows I'm very patriotic.  I especially like to wear my patriotism as a fashionable garment.

However, the pattern is really busy.  I had the idea to do a contrast collar, but since the lower section of the collar and the blouse are cut in one piece, I figured it would be more work than I wanted to do. When I laid out the pieces on my fabric, though… I was short. Barely. (Isn't that how it ALWAYS works?!) To fix this, I made the blouse front facings into separate pieces cut of solid navy cotton. Although I wish I could say I was totally intentional about the contrast collar, it wasn't until I had sewn the facings on and flipped the collar section down that I realized it looked like a contrast collar with the fashion fabric "binding" the edge. I decided to run with it and cut a new navy collar which I edged in the 'Merica fabric.  It took some finagling to get things to fit and line up perfectly, but I'm pleased with the result!




Just as I couldn't tame the patriotism on this shirt, I couldn't tame the "more is more" that I usually try to suppress in favor of classiness. When I saw I had miniature gold eagle buttons in my stash that matched… I felt a sleeve accent coming on.  I added the buttons and navy triangles to each sleeve, and oilá! The shirt was done!



Not everything on the fabric is accurate as far as the art goes, but I've found it difficult to find a 100% accurate military fabric that isn't fleece or a straight up armed forces seal.  Not that I don't like the seals… but they aren't very artistic. (In fact, the one Air Force fleece that Joann carries right now… We already have in a blanket. NEW FABRICS, PLEASE.)  In fact, most of the Air Force fabric options available right now are aesthetically icky. Go ahead, google it now and see.

I've found some great WWII patriotic fabrics on Spoonflower though, so I think I'm going to build up my patriotic blouse collection!  One can never have too many of those, in my opinion!


Outfit details:
blouse: made by me, Simplicity 4762
trousers: made by me, Wearing History "Smooth Sailing" trousers
lipstick: F21

Aaaaaand, a side note, we're having a vintage chat this Thursday!  Brittany of Va-Voom Vintage and Lisa of Retro Housewife Goes Green will be hosting it with me, and we'd love to have lots of people join in!  Spread the word, and let's have fun talking vintage!

(If you'd like to follow me on Twitter, you can do that here!)


17 comments

  1. Beautiful fabric and you did such an amazing job. I also love how you did your hair!

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    1. Thank you so much, Caramella! My hair is still hit and miss (getting used to its shortness), but I'm getting better!

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  2. It has made a great blouse, I really like the sleeve accents and contrast collar.

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  3. I love your blouse - it looks really great!

    I am still envious of your trousers - I can't wait to find a similar pair for myself.

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    1. Haha, thanks Rebecca! Wearing History (the creator of the Smooth Sailing pattern) actually sells these exact trousers in different fabric: http://wearinghistory.clothing/product/smooth-sailing-trousers/

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    2. ACTUALLY, Lauren of WH let me know that the ready to wear version is slightly different from the pattern in some of the small tailoring/sizing things, but I think it's still a good option for you! It looks exactly the same, just with a hip to waist ratio that is more common (since it's ready to wear), I think.

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  4. Grah you are so talented. I love that blouse and I believe it was meant to be that you ran out of the fabric and had to use a plain one!! Sooooo cuteee!! I especially love the sleeves!

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    1. I LOVE it when making do looks like a deliberate style choice! Thanks Nora!!

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  5. That blouse is truly magnificent!

    ♥ Jessica

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  6. Ugh, I can't even express how much I adore the blouse and trousers! Makes me want to get sewing!

    What keywords did you use to search Spoonflower for WWII inspired prints? I'm always trying to build up my favourites collection with vintage-inspired prints!

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    1. I have searched a LOT, and I found that "Victory" actually brings up the best prints! A lot of them have V's for Victory, so that could be why.

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  7. LOVE the blouse! And I really like the use of the solid blue fabric for the collar and cuffs. I think it helps break up the busy print in a good way. I scored some fun patriot print at my local fabric store after July 4th. It's all 40s war bonds! I'm not sure what to make with it though. I'll have to post a pic.
    -Emily

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    1. Yes you WILL have to post a picture! What magical fabric store carries 40s war bond prints?! It sounds awesome!

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  8. Great blouse, very appropriate and your hair is just adorable. Fantastic outfit for V-J Day!

    Liz

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  9. This blouse is great. I love the style of it, and what a great excuse for novelty prints

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  10. How fun! We (Rhode Island) are the only state that officially still celebrates VJ Day.

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