Thursday, May 20, 2010

To ruffle or not to ruffle?

I love my first McCall's 5522 so I am making another one.
I am making it in a lovely quality cotton with a black spot which was white but I dyed ecru to take the edge of the white.

I decided on the long sleeve (as opposed to the full 3/4 sleeve), with no collar (collar stand only) and a ruffle. This is the bodice assembled with the ruffle basted on and one sleeve roughly pinned on. I have made a rolled hem on the edge of the ruffle in black.

I was concerned the long sleeve would look too much with the spotty fabric but, now I am wondering if the ruffle is a little Poiret the clown. You need to take into account the button band will break it up a bit but I need some help before I proceed. Is it too much, should I take the ruffle off now to ally heartbreak (and a lot of unpicking) later? Any and all comments welcomed (apart from maybe scary clown references...)

Parting shot - Can you pick the odd one out of my cat ornament collection?


18 comments:

  1. my guess would be .. based on the pictures on the envelope that the size of the ruffle is balanced by the open neck of the collar - I think there is a danger with no collar of the ruffle becoming too heavy. However, I love how you took the brightness of the white off by dieing it and how you've picked up the black edging with the rolled hem - I would be loathe to remove all that good work. It's going to be really fun! And if it's really really fun you could accesorize with a shiny red nose. Sorry couldn't resist.

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  2. Take the ruffle off is my first thought. It seems a little heavy and perhaps too gathered for the blouse body. Maybe less gathers??
    The neckband collar will help to lift the blouse but for me, the ruffle it just too heavy. Could the fact that you're asking us (the readers) mean you're questioning it too? That's a good indicator that something is not quite right, I think. :) Also the type of collar you've chosen along with ruffles on the same top is not shown anywhere at all on the pattern packet. Looking forward to seeing what you decide to do and how it works out. It is a lovely pattern.

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  3. I would lose the ruffle. I think without it you will have years of wear and enjoyment from that blouse. The ruffle (this is my opinion only, FWIW) will definitely place it in the 2009-2010 vintage.

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  4. I'm just wondering if there is a reason why there is no view shown that has a collarband and ruffle. I think you should consider either adding a collar or removing the ruffle.

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  5. It looks a bit too ruffled and large to me. Maybe pin on the collar and the front band and have another look?

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  6. I agree with the rest and would take it off. I like bold statements when it comes to garments, but this indeed seems a bit out of balance. Without the ruffle I think the blouse will be timeless and gorgeous.

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  7. Another vote to lose the ruffle. I like the long sleeves though. No worries there. I think without the ruffle the blouse will be a beautiful, classic piece. I also love how you died the fabric. Great idea!

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  8. I have to add my vote for no ruffle. It just looks too much. I think maybe the black rolled hem is a bit too stark as well. Of course, I made my 5522 without a ruffle so I can't be considered unbiased. :-)

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  9. Looks like I'm in the minority, but I like the ruffle! Of course, I have been agonizing over ruffle/no ruffle on a shirt I am working on now. One one hand, it is very "now" on the other hand will it be too "twee?" I love the rolled hem on the ruffle and say go with it.

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  10. I also have to vote for no ruffle, it think it is too heavy, this maybe because of the black rolled hem.

    As the others have said, it will be a classic blouse that will give you many years of enjoyment.

    Oh Lulu you cheeky girl :)

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  11. I like the ruffle, particularly with the black edge, but having made this for my slender and A cup daughter, I think a skinnier ruffle would look better on a grown up with a bust, and not overpower the rest of the blouse.

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  12. I like the *idea* of a ruffle, but, unfortunately, this ruffle is a bit overwhelming. I think that there is too much fabric gathered into a small space and right now, this is *not* working well. I would try loosening the gathers so that the actual ruffled piece of fabric is longer, and less smushed together, then I would re-pin to the blouse front to see how it looks (you can always shorten the ruffled piece so it ends at the horizontal seam, as in the original design). If it doesn't look good, then I'd make a plain front blouse.

    I'm so envious of all your sewing. I really need to carve out time to make a simple pullover blouse! :)

    Rose in SV

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  13. I'd halve the width of the ruffle. It looks overwhelming. But I do think that a ruffle suits the blouse.

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  14. I agree with the majority. It does not look right ?the black edging. ? the lack of a collar.
    Janine

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  15. The odd one out? The yellow one on the far right! He doesn't match the rest. As for the ruffle, I actually like it although I do understand the point everyone is making and maybe a slightly narrower ruffle would be better. I would add some round black buttons, larger than the spots. Thank you for reminding me of this pattern. I've been trying to think of a pattern for a cotton print I bought and this is perfect. I don't think it's too Poiret at all. I can see it with a pair of black high waisted pants or a high waisted skirt. Now you've inspired me with an outfit! Thanks.

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  16. Hmmm . . well, I'm not the ruffly sort, so I wouldn't be tempted to make it with a ruffle. But, since you asked, if you keep the ruffle, I'd not edge it in black. The black certainly defines it quite a bit and makes it the focal point, quite possibly upstaging the rest of the outfit or your lovely face.

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  17. Love the way you dyed the fabric, may i ask how you did this?
    I have lots of white fabric and my complexion prefers ecru.

    BTW, the ruffles are in my opinion, too much :-) .

    greetings, Ann-Marie
    The Netherlands

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  18. hrrrm. To me, that ruffle just looks like it's a bit too much for the print and long sleeves. And I think the style without the ruffle will have more fashion longevity. Ruffles have just been SO big over the past few season that I can't help but think that their time is numbered, no matter how much I like them.

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Love to hear what you think...