summer blouse

I want to make nearly everything from the Machiko Kayaki home couture book I got at Kinokuniya last weekend. I decided to start with something with sleeves, since I am still debating the whole sleeveless thing.

machiko blouse.JPG
I messed up a few things and had to get “creative,” but all in all I am pleased with the outcome. It’s a very comfy shirt. I don’t know if you can tell, but it has raglan sleeves and elastic in the sleeves for a bit of flair. The fabric was from my stash, so you see, having a stash is really very useful. Now on to the next project!

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22 Responses to summer blouse

  1. melissa f. says:

    that turned out really well. i love that field fabric– i have some in blue. super duper nice. especially the sleeves. very fancy.

  2. Lisa says:

    You ran 14 miles! yesterday. Remind me again why are you concerned with your arms?

  3. sally says:

    Mariko, the shirt is SO cute!

  4. Aimee Roo says:

    Very cute! I like the fabric, and I love that you choose sleeves. Not enough cute tops with sleeves around these days.

  5. debbie says:

    very cute blouse! i like the button front and sleeves, and the fabric is nice and cool looking.

  6. caitlyn says:

    It’s very cute on you, Mariko! I like the print a lot.

  7. Gina says:

    Beautiful!

  8. Silvia says:

    Super cute top. Nice pairing of that poppy print with a clean-lined top. I always look at the sewing books in Japantown, but don’t know a bit of Japanese so I always figure I’ll miss an important part of the instructions that isn’t illustrated…should just go for it.

  9. melissa says:

    that turned out great! i’m inspired to start my machiko top now.

  10. carolyn says:

    super cute and surprisingly ladylike! ha ha!

  11. Laura says:

    Your shirt is lovely. You can also wear sleeveless shirts if you like – your arms look fine. (I can tell you’re under 40. Once you’re over 40 you won’t care what anyone thinks and you’ll wear whatever you like because you like it.)

  12. Zara says:

    You are a fruit cake

  13. The Skirt says:

    Such a cute shirt! And you can definitely do sleeveless…

  14. Toby Wollin says:

    I got her Simple Chic: Dress Up, Dress Down book recently and made the top half of the two piece dress in it. I was sort of scared and concerned because I definitely don’t read Japanese, but the artwork instructions were great and the top came out perfectly. I made it in turquoise plaid dupioni. I don’t know what it is, but I find myself looking for more of her books (I won’t be getting back to the Japanese bookstore in West Nyack, NY for a loooong time) on Ebay, etc. The book is so well laid-out; the pictures are really good – nothing tricky about it and the clothes just look so good that way — it makes sewing very attractive, somehow.

  15. Kay says:

    Mariko, if you can’t go sleeveless, think of the consequences. E.g., I can never leave the house in my current body, even if completely shrouded in yards of fabric.
    Please please go sleeveless. Think about the rest of us.
    xoxo Kay

  16. Stella says:

    I love the simple lines of the designs you showed us. I’m waiting for you to make the kayaki sleeveless dress. Just get some 3lb weights and do some triceps lifts if you feel unsure, but you look fine anyway!

  17. patti says:

    Wow- that shirt is super cute!!! Stupid question but I think you are the right person to ask- so amny people are into japanese craft books & I am wondering if they just have such good pics that you can figure out what to do? Because I totally love the designs from this new book you got!!
    And by the way, if you can run 14 miles in one day you shouldn’t be worried about going sleeveless!!!

  18. laura says:

    oh my goodness, that is the sweetest blouse ever. i love it. sure wish i had access to a japanese shop here in TX.

  19. J Strizzy says:

    I love that fabric! Such a cheerful sunny print. The blouse turned out great!

  20. susie says:

    I love it! You have a great eye for putting the right fabric with the right pattern. I would love to have a pattern like that. And everyone else is definitely right, you have nothing to worry about if you want to wear something sleeveless. Now, I need to start working on my biceps and triceps!

  21. Sandi says:

    Wow, that is the cutest shirt. Looks great on you. I can sew a straight hem, so I am particularly jealous.

  22. Julia says:

    it’s an amazing shirt!! Well done! I love the beautiful, modern fabric.

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