• Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Skirts
  • Tops
  • Pants
  • Coats
  • Hats
  • Q&A
  • Sewing Tips

C Sews

Welcome to my sewing blog, where you'll find tips, patterns, fabric, fashion, and hats!

  • Home
  • Skirts
  • Tops
  • Dresses
  • Pants
  • Coats
  • Hats
  • Q&A
  • Sewing Tips
    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

My Fall for Cotton 1940s Girl Friday Blouse Is Finished!

September 30, 2013 By Chuleenan 36 Comments

1940s Girl Friday blouse - Decades of Style pattern, Fall for Cotton, photo by Chuleenan Svetvilas

I finished my Fall for Cotton project – the 1940s Girl Friday Blouse from Decades of Style – with not a minute to spare. Really. I was still working on it yesterday and realized I had to hustle if I wanted to get photos done before sunset. It was after 6 pm and I still had to hem and iron it! And this sort of explains my expression in this photo. I couldn’t find my cream-colored strappy sandals right and the clock was ticking so I just threw on some makeup, grabbed my vintage wool hat and tripod and walked a few blocks to to this side street for my impromptu photo shoot with me and my digital camera. Yeah, no photographer so it was weird just staring into the lens. In the back of my mind, I kept wondering, “Is this really in focus?” and “Crap, I’m losing light!” and “How long is 10 seconds?” I’m just doing this on my lunch break so the nitty gritty details on making this blouse will have to wait for another post this week. In the meantime, I’ll subject you to more photos of my blouse, which took far longer than I thought it would to make. There really aren’t very many pattern pieces but I must have spent more than 30 hours making it! Hand embroidery on the collar, side invisible zipper on the left, seam tape on the hem, hand stitching the bottom two collars together and hand stitching the hem. You can read about some details in the post My Fall for Cotton Project – Sewalong Update. And I wore the wrong bra with the blouse – you can see it in the back view photo. A darker bra wouldn’t have been visible. The fabric is a vintage lightweight Swiss dot cotton voile.

1940s Girl Friday blouse - Decades of Style pattern 1940s Girl Friday blouse - Decades of Style pattern 1940s Girl Friday blouse - Decades of Style pattern 1940s Girl Friday blouse - Decades of Style pattern 1940s Girl Friday blouse - Decades of Style pattern 1940s Girl Friday blouse - Decades of Style pattern

If you’ve made any Decades of Style patterns, I’d love to know what your experience was like. I found the pattern to give rather minimal instructions in some areas. So this would NOT be a good pattern for a beginner. I’m glad I finally finished this blouse and I don’t think I would have if I didn’t have a deadline. So thank you Rochelle of Lucky Lucille and Tasha of By Gum By Golly for the Fall for Cotton Sewing Challenge!
Follow on Bloglovin follow us in feedly

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related


Filed Under: Tops Tagged With: Decades of Style, Fall for cotton, sewing, Tops, vintage patterns, vintage sewing

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. lyric says

    October 29, 2013 at 9:54 am

    Hi Chuleenan:

    I want to thank you for sending the vintage swatch to me. I was in the process of moving, but my girlfriend is forwarding the swatch to my current address. I wanted you to know that it had indeed arrived though. Can’t wait to put my own eyes on it.

    Cheers,

    Lyric

    Loading...
    Reply
    • Chuleenan says

      October 29, 2013 at 11:56 am

      You’re welcome! Good luck with unpacking!

      Loading...
      Reply
      • Lyric says

        November 26, 2013 at 9:01 am

        It’s here! It’s here! I’ve finally seen it, Chuleean. I am blogging about it right now!!!!!

        Loading...
        Reply
        • Chuleenan says

          November 26, 2013 at 10:14 am

          Great, Lyric! I’ll check it out!

          Loading...
          Reply
  2. Gjeometry says

    October 1, 2013 at 7:27 pm

    Wow, this came out beautifully! I love how the collar turned out. That fabric is gorgeous, it looks like linen. Great job!

    Loading...
    Reply
    • Chuleenan says

      October 1, 2013 at 9:06 pm

      Thank you! The fabric is a really lightweight but surprisingly loosely woven cotton. It was pretty delicate so I had to be really careful when I turned the collars right side out. I’ll be doing another post with construction details and plenty of pix.

      Loading...
      Reply
    • Chuleenan says

      October 5, 2013 at 1:22 pm

      And if you want a swatch of the fabric, just enter a comment on my follow up post on the making of the blouse. I’m giving away five swatches of the fabric. 😉

      Loading...
      Reply
  3. Mary Kay says

    September 30, 2013 at 9:52 pm

    Your 30 of sewing was certainly worth it; its a gorgeous blouse. Well done.

    Loading...
    Reply
    • Chuleenan says

      September 30, 2013 at 10:39 pm

      Thank you!

      Loading...
      Reply
  4. Laura says

    September 30, 2013 at 7:23 pm

    Your blouse is beautiful! The fabric, the color, the pattern, your workmanship- it is all so wonderful and perfect!

    Loading...
    Reply
    • Chuleenan says

      September 30, 2013 at 8:10 pm

      Thanks so much! I just found out that my fabric is actually from the late 1940s. I contacted the fabric store – Maxie’s Daughter (in Philadelphia) – and they confirmed the decade! It just all came together. =)

      Loading...
      Reply
      • Laura says

        September 30, 2013 at 8:19 pm

        That is so cool! Makes it extra special.

        Loading...
        Reply
        • Chuleenan says

          September 30, 2013 at 9:32 pm

          Yes! I’ll definitely take extra care when I wash it. I actually prewashed it in a gentle cycle and let it air dry.

          Loading...
          Reply
  5. Mads says

    September 30, 2013 at 6:10 pm

    Beautiful!! You did a great job, and that collar is such a standout design feature. I can’t speak to Decades of Style, but it’s been my experience that vintage pattern instructions sort of assume that you know how to make clothes, and the instructions aren’t always the clearest–especially for beginners like me! But you’ve got an amazing blouse now, and that’s the important part. Can’t wait to read all the details soon!

    Loading...
    Reply
    • Chuleenan says

      September 30, 2013 at 7:01 pm

      Thank you! Decades of Style creates patterns from vintage styles. So it’s actually a contemporary company. Thus the instructions could have been written for today’s sewists and people who would have liked a more step-by-step approach. I’ve made a dress from a vintage pattern before and the instructions were really minimal in that one – less info than this one. 😉

      Loading...
      Reply
  6. Melizza says

    September 30, 2013 at 5:44 pm

    What a striking blouse. I love the collar so much. I suck at sewing without instructions. My virtual hat goes off to you.

    Loading...
    Reply
    • Chuleenan says

      September 30, 2013 at 6:56 pm

      Thank you! Yes, the collar (or should I say collars?) is a really nice detail in this pattern. The instructions could have been better. I spent a lot of time contemplating how I was going to finish a particular seam. The patterns doesn’t offer any suggestions on that.

      Loading...
      Reply
  7. LoranW says

    September 30, 2013 at 5:16 pm

    Fabulous!! Yes, now I’m most definitely moving it up the sewing list : )

    Loading...
    Reply
    • Chuleenan says

      September 30, 2013 at 6:51 pm

      Thank you! I’ll be looking for yours!

      Loading...
      Reply
  8. Ellen says

    September 30, 2013 at 5:07 pm

    I just love this outfit! The collar alone is a work of art, and your photo styling sets the perfect mood. Enjoy every moment that you wear this piece!

    Loading...
    Reply
  9. Brooke says

    September 30, 2013 at 2:08 pm

    It turned out really great! That collar is so wonderful!

    I really like the second photo in the post. I know what you mean about trying to take timer photos – it’s hard!

    I’ve never used a Decades of Style pattern (simply because none of them have really called to me yet), but I do know they are more advanced than most. You did a fabulous job! =)

    Loading...
    Reply
    • Chuleenan says

      September 30, 2013 at 2:27 pm

      Thank you! I am very happy with the results. I’m not not sure I would ever make it again but it would take a lot less time because I wouldn’t have to pause and ponder how I wanted to do something. The pattern doesn’t provide a whole lot of construction details. A lot is left to you to figure out on your own.

      Loading...
      Reply
      • Francesca says

        June 13, 2014 at 12:52 am

        Gorgeous blouse, and your styling doesn’t look rushed at all…. I have a couple of patterns from DoS, and have only made one – the Stardust skirt -I know that their base pattern is probably taken from an unprinted pattern, being a 30s style, but even so, I found it a bit too roughly drawn for my slightly anal/perfectionist side – and the instructions somewhat lacking too. My skirt wasn’t a success, but that could be my fault as I fell inbetween sizes and took the lazy way of using the smaller size and taking my (preferred) 12cm allowances – works for me usually! Anyway, I know from experience that trying to draw round an unprinted pattern piece on to paper to keep it for future use is a huge pain, which is why I now use my vintage pattern pieces like I use modern ones – ie weight down and cut! So that could be the reason for their slightly roungh outlines.

        Re vintage pattern sewing instructions – well, they vary – some are rather abrupt, but usually I find they go into lovely detail and I learnt how to do hand made buttonholes from one of my patterns :)…

        Loading...
        Reply
        • Chuleenan says

          June 13, 2014 at 12:09 pm

          Thank you, Francesca! Yes, tracing a pattern can be a pain, especially when you have a lot of pattern pieces.

          I’m sure instructions do vary but I seem to have a knack for picking vintage patterns that require me to fill in the blanks. 😉

          Thanks for visiting!

          Loading...
          Reply

Comments, tips, or suggestions? I'd love to hear from you!Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

I love sewing, fabric, and hats and meeting people who sew! I've been blogging since 2011 and organizing monthly sewing meetups since 2014.

Join My List

POPULAR POSTS

Text: 2022 Sewing Pattenr Height Chart with illustrations of 8 women of different body shapes and heights

Sewing pattern height – a chart – 2022 update

My tenth blogversary!

Black woman with glasses and dreadlocks wearing ivory sweater

Q&A with Olgalyn of O! Jolly! + sweater knit kit winner!

Basic Black book cover

Basic Black Book Review and Giveaway!

Search

ARCHIVES

CATEGORIES

Footer

join my list

join my list
#MeMadeMay25 - Today’s ensemble - Dew Dress by @ #MeMadeMay25 - Today’s ensemble - Dew Dress by @fridaypatterncompany and one of my favorite Pilvi Coats.
✨
The fabric for the #DewDress is from upstairs at @stonemountainfabric 
💛
The #PilviCoat fabric was from @britexfabrics before they moved to their current SF location.

#BayAreaSewistsMay #SewOver50 #SewOver50May #MeMadeWardrobe #MeMadeMay  #YellowDress #FPCMeMadeMay
I made the Christy Cardigan and another Cuff Top i I made the Christy Cardigan and another Cuff Top in April.

As soon as I saw @just_patterns #JPChristyCardigan I had to make it. 

I love the sleeves and I had this wool sweater knit fabric in my stash. The buttons are from @stonemountainfabric 

I got the pattern printed at @studiosessions.sewing so I could get going on it right away. 

Then I made the @theassemblylineshop #TALCuffTop last Sunday for #SewAprilBlouse25 and to wear to a work event in DC last Tuesday. 

Due to time constraints, I went with the Cuff Top, which I’ve made multiple times. I only had a little over a yard so I cropped it. And because it was going to be in the 80s (~27 C), I went with narrow elastic (1 cm). Wide elastic at the cuffs can get sweaty. I whipped it together in 2.5 hours.

I finally took photos yesterday. 

Also wearing @naughtybobbinpatterns Palazzo Pants in a linen rayon blend from @metrotextilesnyc. The other fabrics have been in my stash for so long I can’t remember where I got them. 

This is my first post for #MeMadeMay2025

#MeMade #MeMadeMay #SewOver50 #SewOver50May #SewnShownSeated
I’m happy to say that I brought a bag full of fa I’m happy to say that I brought a bag full of fabric and didn’t take NOT take any home. Mission accomplished! 🤗

✨ I organized this @bayareasewists Fabric Swap + Sewcial - which took place earlier today. You can see more in the #BayAreaSewists Reel. 

✨There was so much fabric but remarkably, only one table of leftover fabric, which w donated to the Berkeley Public Library for their sewing circle. 

Plenty of fabric went to new homes. Yay! 

I’m wearing the #AntheaBlouse (sleeve fabric is from a previous Bay Area Sewists event, the solid fabric is a Japanese cotton lawn from @stonemountainfabric purchased last year (I think). Palazzo pants (linen-rayon blend from @metrofabrics) are a @naughtybobbinpatterns pattern. I used the Anthea sleeves on my @carolyncassiepatternco Perth Blouse (see previous post) - and the same fabric combo.

Thanks to Bernice(@sewbee73) for taking my photo! 🤳

#BayAreaSewists #BayAreaSewistsApril #FabricSwap #Destash #SewingMeetup #SewOver50 #SewOver50Apr
Went to my first quilt show today and met @entropy Went to my first quilt show today and met @entropyalwayswins!

💙 Hillary is giving talks about her quilts twice a day (11:30 am and 2:30 pm). So great to hear the background of her quilts. 

💙 The #SFQuiltShow organized by @sfquiltersguild is on display through Saturday.

🪡 All of the quilts are Hillary’s except the last one. So great to meet you Hillary!

#SFQuiltersGuild #SewOver50 #SewOver50Mar
I made bracelets to match my Dew Dress with leftov I made bracelets to match my Dew Dress with leftover scraps!🤗

This idea is from the book Alabama Sewing + Design. Just take strips of jersey and make knots - and that’s it!

💛The Dew Dress is the second yellow garment I’ve ever made. It’s usually a color I avoid but not anymore! This dress is a really quick sew once you cut everything out.

Stay tuned for photos of the dress, which I wore to work earlier this week. 

💛Fabric from @stonemountainfabric upstairs.

#BayAreaSewists #BayAreaSewistsMarch #ScrapBuster #MeMade #Cousumain #SewOver50 #SewOver50Mar
Here are photos of my @CarolynAndCassie Perth Blou Here are photos of my @CarolynAndCassie Perth Blouse with sleeves from the @AnnaAllenClothing Anthea Blouse and my @AnneTilley.Patterns  Magic Pants 
🤸🏽🤸🏿🤸🏻
I made the blouse last month (see previous post for a closer look) and finished the pants last weekend. I took these photos on Monday before I left for work.
🩷
The pants are my February No Frills entry for #MagamSewalong hosted by @yogabyrdsews @suestoney and @sewing_in_spain !
I really needed some basic black pants and decided to try this pattern. I didn’t make a muslin - gasp - because they have a hidden expandable panel in front. So I decided to take my chances.
🖤
I shopped my stash and used a medium-weight wool fabric. The pattern is designed for linen so maybe that wasn’t the best choice as these are high-waisted pants and the wool is a little itchy. But I can wear them in the spring, fall, and winter in the Bay Area so I will get a lot of wear from them. I need to tweak the back a little but otherwise, they fit quite well!
🩶
Note on blouse fabric: I got the solid cotton lawn from @stonemountainfabric last year. The Liberty print was from a Bay Areas Sewists event several years ago.
.
.
.
#MagamNoFrillsFebruary #SewOver50Feb #SewOver50 #SewYourStash #BayAreaSewists #BayAreaSewistsFebruary  #DopamineDressing
My entry for #MagamJazzyJanuary - the Perth Top by My entry for #MagamJazzyJanuary - the Perth Top by @carolyncassiepatternco - in this beautiful Liberty print I got at a @bayareasewists meetup several years ago and a Japanese cotton lawn from @stonemountainfabric that a year or so ago. 
🤎
I used both fabrics to make two blouses. The other one is the Anthea Blouse. I wanted to wear one of them to a jazz concert I attended last night. So that’s really the only Jazz connection - other than the beautiful French button that’s been in my stash. It evokes Art Nouveau - so maybe that’s also jazzy? It was from a sample button card that a wholesaler gave me. I had three different sizes of this metallic maroon and also in metallic blue and green. 
❤️
I was hand hemming this top 30 minutes before we left for the concert. 😆 It’s been raining so I’ll take photos of both tops when the weather clears.
⛅️
Thank you to @suestoney @sewing_in_spain and @new_by_helen for hosting January’s #MagamSewalong 
.
.
.

#Magam #BayAreaSewistsJan #SewOver50Feb #SewYourStash #BayAreaSewists #LibertyFabrics #TanaLawn #SewThePrecious
Ohhh - happy mail day! Finally spent my @juliaalli Ohhh - happy mail day! Finally spent my @juliaallissoncost gift cards (present from 2 of my sisters) and got the Blue Bouquet in corduroy (3 yds) and cotton poplin (a little over a yard)!
💙
Now I have the fun challenge of deciding what to make with these lovelies!
❤️
I’m pondering pants or skirt and a top. Any pattern ideas?
🤗
.
.
.
#FabricLove #juliaallissoncosttextiles #CorduroyFabric #FloralFabric #SewOver50 #SewOver50Jan #BayAreaSewistsJan #HappyMailDay
My entry for #MagamDopamineDecember - a top using My entry for #MagamDopamineDecember - a top using the T- Shirt Dress pattern from the Nani Iro Sewing Studio book using Nani Iro double gauze. I lengthened the sleeves to the selvedge. I didn’t have enough fabric to make the dress so I made the top. I had to piece together four strips of fabric to make the bias tape for the neckline.
💙
You have to add seam allowance to this pattern so I added 5/8 SA so I could sew French seams. Double gauze frays and is somewhat delicate.
💙
In the second photo, I’m wearing my #MNHovea made from prequilted Nani Iro double gauze from @stonemountainfabric - the tee fabric is also from Stonemountain. The Mimosa Culottes pattern was re-released by @namedclothing earlier this year. I made these back in 2017. The cap is self-drafted. 
💙
Double gauze is super soft and comfy - but annoying to sew because I had to baste all my hems before sewing. See previous post for hem photo.
🪡
The dress pattern is boxy. The Basic Blouse pattern from the book is a little tapered. Maybe I should have used that pattern. But this used nearly all of my fabric so that’s OK. 
💙
Thanks to @suestoney @sewing_in_spain and @hportemanteau for hosting! Happy new year everyone!
🥳
.
.
.
#magam #magamsewalong #SewOver50December24 #BayAreaSewists #BayAreaSews #NaniIroFabric #ShownSewnSeated #SewThePrecious #SewYourStash
Hemming this Nani Iro double gauze was tedious bec Hemming this Nani Iro double gauze was tedious because it required basting but I finally finished this top today.
💙🤍
It’s my entry for #MagamDopamineDecember - I hope to take photos tomorrow. It’s a very simple top due to the fabric constraints (only 41”/~104 cm wide, pressed folds don’t stay put). But it shows off the fabric, which has some flowers in metallic silver. I got this fabric at @stonemountainfabric a couple of years ago. 
💙🩶
Thanks to @suestoney @sewing_in_spain and @hportemanteau for hosting this fun #MagamSewalong !
💙
#DopamineSewing #BayAreaSewists #BayAreaSews #BayAreaSewistsWinter24 #SewOver50 #SewOver50December24 #SewYourStash #SewThePrecious

Copyright © 2025 · C Sews · Blog Design by Little Blue Deer
Privacy Policy

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept,” you consent to the use of all the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d