1940s-Arabesque: Advance 4676

Flashback Summer: 1940s Arabesque - vintage Middle East fusion

Flashback Summer: 1940s Arabesque - vintage Middle East fusion

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!

Flashback Summer: 1940s Arabesque - vintage Middle East fusion

Flashback Summer: 1940s Arabesque - vintage Middle East fusion

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!

Flashback Summer: 1940s Arabesque - vintage Middle East fusion

Flashback Summer: 1940s Arabesque - vintage Middle East fusion

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.

Flashback Summer: 1940s Arabesque - vintage Middle East fusion

Flashback Summer: 1940s Arabesque - vintage Middle East fusion

Flashback Summer: 1940s Arabesque - vintage Middle East fusion

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

21 comments

  1. What a gorgeous outfit! It looks so modernly chic and yet it's vintage :-D

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  2. I love it. Looks wonderful on ya. Love the pants too.

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  3. I'm glad you do the same thing! I hate making muslins but I know sometimes I really really should because things don't come out right. This one is definitely a wearable one - good job!! I love your styling too.. very.. cultural? Is that the right way to describe it? :)

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    1. Haha, I have no idea. Cultural sounds good to me!

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  4. Really interesting and evocative that your outfit!

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  5. Emileigh, this ensemble is to FAB!! Loving those pants and heels:)
    -Madison
    www.1minniemuse.blogspot.com

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  6. I love it! I know the wearable muslin feeling, especially since I'm a beginner, but I think from the looks of it the blouse turned out beautifully--and actually drapes like the pattern illustration!!

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  7. Lovely outfit Emileigh. I like the shirt especially the sleeves. I know what you mean about muslins, I hate making them myself, unless I'm making a wearable one. Overall I think you did a good job, love to see your next version.

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  8. Strikingly chic ensemble! That awesome belt is really ties it all together (pun not really intended).

    Wishing you and your honey a marvelous Valentine's Day!
    ♥ Jessica

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  9. Fantastic! Love the colors, the contrasts - it's a perfect ensemble.

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  10. Such a fun outfit, and looks like the blouse turned out marvelously. You certainly had more success in the "wearable mockup" department than I have recently. I made myself some corduroy plus-fours as a mock-up for a wool pair I intend to make, and let's just say I forgot temporarily that corduroy had a nap while I was cutting them out. :P

    Blessings,

    Brigid, the Middle Sister and Singer

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    1. Haha, oh dear! I did something similar for this shirt. I forgot I needed to add some to the bottom hem, since I'm using a dress bodice pattern to make a blouse! I had to cut out some pieces a couple times!

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  11. This is such an amazing look! It's so refreshing to see vintage done this way. It's very distinctly 40s, but also very distinctly Middle Eastern, and the two styles marry together beautifully. You look beautiful and incredibly striking.

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  12. I can't believe how wearable your 'muslin' of this pattern is (the black satin look is heavenly)! I will definitely have to take stock of this idea next time I go to make something that needs a bit of fussing.

    Ali xx

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    1. Ha, well, I usually only do this when I'm pretty confident I can do the pattern. If I'm really unsure how it will fit or go together... I use fabric I REALLY don't care about!

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  13. This outfit is to die for beautiful!!!! Personally I probably wouldn't go with the shiny satin of the blouse but the cut is really wonderful! Love this look!

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