I don't particularly like making muslins of patterns, as is probably the case with most sewists. If I have a pretty good feeling about a pattern, I'll make a wearable muslin instead. I make it out of fabric that is nice enough to be a finished garment if it works out, but not so nice that I'll be upset if I kill it. This blouse is one of those wearable muslins!
Below is the pattern I used, Advance 4676 from the 1940s. I fell in love with the gorgeous 3/4 length sleeves, but I don't particularly like the skirt (pleats are too much work to re-iron). I decided to turn the bodice into a blouse by extending it and making it longer on the bottom, and for the fabric I used leftovers from my husband's robe I made him. One can never have too many solid colored blouses!
I had some issues in cutting it out, and somehow the fabric slipped and the grain is weird on the back... one shoulder ended up slightly longer than the other... I dunno.... sometimes strange things happen, especially with slickery fabrics like this flannel-backed satin. I decided to roll with it and fix it along the way. You know, it's a muslin, haha! I didn't have extra fabric, so I thought I'd see if I could make it work. Luckily, it turned out at the end!
I think next time I'll shorten the sleeves by one or two inches, but besides that, it worked out just fine. This pattern will graduate on to real fabric soon!
I paired the top with my favorite baggy pants from Zanzibar and a giant waist belt from F21. The pants can't help but look a bit Middle Eastern because if the similar shape to harem pants, so I rolled with it and made a vaguely Middle Eastern ensemble to go with it. I used a sheer black scarf to make a 40s style turban and topped it with a brooch. I love it! I felt very comfortable in the looser fitting clothing, and adding heels and pops of gold made it feel glamorous at the same time.
Outfit Details
blouse: me-made, Advance 4676 with flannel-back satin fabric
belt: F21
pants: gifted, from Zanzibar
bracelets & brooch: gifted
turban scarf: um.... Egypt?
lip stain: Kat Von D "Outlaw"
shoes: no idea. Won't even lie.
purse: gifted, from Kenya