Navy Blouse with Gold Brocade Cropped Trousers

This outfit started with two different fabrics ordered 3 months apart, first I ordered this Mood Fabrics'

  Blue Gray Solid Suiting,  thinking it would be a jacket but the fabric is lightweight and it sat on the shelf while I contemplated what it would become. I washed this fabric on gentle and felt it would be a perfect blouse, dark navy with gold buttons. I wanted a dressier blouse pattern and fitted, so I went with a favorite, Butterick 5526

 


 I found this Mood Fabrics' Elegant Italian Brocade in my cart and soon on my doorstep.


 I knew what I wanted to make, after all, the description dared me, and I quote, "or dare to make a pair of cropped trousers. " So I did, using Burda Style 6981 The blouse went together beautifully, the trousers. had a few challenges.

 





I just love the dark navy and gold combination, which I have seen quite a bit in the fashion world and on Pinterest. Don't you just love when something so fabulous just falls into your lap? Or in this case my sewing table. The blouse has wonderful details - a fitted look, pleated pockets, an option for a princess seams (no, my blouse does not have princess seams). Initially, I wanted bright gold buttons but I found these antique gold ones in my stash and it was love at first sight, they are a perfect contrast for the amazing navy wool. Let's talk about wool, I have been a bit anti-wool, it would itch and I would avoid it but I am becoming more adventurous and venturing out with the wool. This is my second wool top and I can wear them and love them and enjoy the greatness of wool. What I have been missing, limiting my use of wool to jackets, don't worry this all will be changing.

 

Now let's talk about these gold brocade trousers, fabulous fabric, amazing to sew and stitch and create a great pair of crop trousers. Crop trousers, that I might add have the approval of one of my college freshman daughters. Home on spring break, she stated, I love that blouse, Mom and the pants are good, too!

 Woo-hoo, teenage daughter approval, I can leave the house! Sorry, a bit exaggerated but it does help when Mom doesn't embarrass them. I think in this outfit it is all a plus. I went out of my comfort zone with these pants and the fabric choice but I do love them so much.

 

For pants I usually make a different Burda pattern but I was looking for a higher rise trouser and slimmer legs, so I went with this Burda pattern but it wasn't without some issues.

 Let's talk a bit about the challenges of these trouser. First, these are a higher waisted trouser, I took out 1-1/2" from the rise, this was more the look I wanted. I added welt pockets to the back and shortened the back dart since I was adding welt pockets. There are darts in the front of the pants, which I totally eliminated, the muslin just fit my shape better without the darts. I did match the fabric at the side seams, the center back is good but the front zipper placket is perfect, hurray success! A picture of the details of the outfit, minus my squinty eyes. What a glorious day here in the Midwest, 70 degrees with bright sunshine and my eyes are not use to the bright sunlight after this winter. 

You might notice my zipper goes the opposite way than the pattern. There is a very good reason for this, I was trimming the pocket and I cut into the zipper extension.  Yes, you read that, I cut through my pants!

 I about fainted right on the spot, after several deep breaths, I took a closer look and it wasn't into the front of the pants. My solution to this scissor craziness was to reverse the zipper. The cut was fixed with fusible interfacing and a few mending stitches. All of this is hidden on the inside of the pants so no outside evidence of my big mistake. It is one of those things no one would know unless I confessed and I did just that to all of you, so now you know.


 I will love wearing these garments together or with several other combinations.