The Streisand Vee-fect

I purchased this 47-year-old pattern year from etsy last year because I liked the blouse with the "Chelsea" collar, the middle view.   The model on the lower left attired in a nautical top reminds me of a young Barbra Streisand in her blue iconic sailor dress that she wore in her first television special for CBS.  She will be having her 69th birthday on April 24.

1964's memorable musical chart-toppers that include "My Girl" by the Temptations, "A Hard Day's Night" by the Beatles, "Hello Dolly" by Louis Armstrong, "Dancing in the Street" by Martha and the Vandellas, "Where Did Our Love Go" by the Supremes, "Oh Pretty Woman" by Roy Orbison, and "People" by Barbra Streisand showcased the diversity of talent in popular music that is rarely matched or surpassed by current performers.

Barbra, the Singer, and SINGER, the Sewing Company?
Singer, the sewing machine company, sponsored this extraordinary "singer's" TV special in "1973, " Barbra Streisand... and Other Musical Instruments". It was reported that "Singer would honor Barbra with a gold sewing machine!"

More information about the "Barbra Streisand... and Other Musical Instruments" TV special.

Pattern Description:

From 1964, "Misses Set of Blouses with Tie:  Blouse features a V neckline, front button closing and set-in sleeves.  Views 1,2,3 long sleeves gather to button cuffs.  Views 1 and 2 collars are styled the same but View 1 is wider and trimmed with abow.  Views 2 and 3 have contrasting ties.  view 3 sailor collar and cuffs are detailed with braid.  view 4 neck edge and below elbow length sleeves feature ruffles.  view 5 has tie collar and roll up sleeves. 

I sewed View 1, the middle view, or the blouse with the "Chelsea" collar that was popular in the 1960's and 1970's with a resurgence in the 1980's.

I was initially dubious about working with a collar cut on the bias. If it was cut on the straight grain, I would have had more of a challenge to distribute the collar evenly along the neckline.

I sewed view 1, with the intention of the cuffed long sleeves, but due to a fabric deficit, I shortened the sleeves. 

Size:

Miss size 14, bust 34.   The sizing is not coherent with a current patttern size 14.  However, I discovered that I did not need to increase the width at the bust and hips. 

The blouses illustrated on the pattern envelope seem also to be inspired by Barbra's 1963 performance at the Hollywood Bowl and at the Cocoanut Grove (interesting spelling of coconut).

Back of envelope:

My version is a fuse of the pattern's styles with tie-dye printed fabric.

"The Prints of Tie-Dyes"

Fabric Used:

A pre-laundered mystery cotton woven from W-M for $3 a yard.  I wish that I had strategically placed the pattern on the print to reduce the "bullseye" or "headlight" effect... 

Favorite Features

* Several collar options:"Chelsea" (pointed lapels), ruflle, nautical, neck tie/bow

* Fairly simple to sew, except for fiddling with the attachment of the front/back facings after the collar.

Other Features

* No shaping at sides

* Collar with front and back facings are outdated. A lining would have seemed more practical.

* Although I liked the style, I was a bit overwhelmed by collar size coupled with my fabric choice. Decreasing the width of the collar to complement my frame and using a fabric with more drape would make this top more ideal for me.

 

Modifications

* Took in the side seams an additional 1/4". I could have adhered to the original size instead of adding an additional seam allowance.

* Shortened the sleeves and elasticized the hems.

* I was not sure as to whether or not to perform my usual petite adjustments (upper back and between the bust and waist).  There were previous instances when I made those adjustments and wish I had not.   In this case, I should have adjusted the pattern.

Just after seeing the entertaining and cute "Rio" at a local movie theater with my daughter:

Directions: They are detailed and formatted conveniently to fit on one sheet, double sided! I really did not need the directions, except for the process for attaching the front and back facings.  I'll let the photos speak for themselves.

Pattern Layouts:

Directions:

Collar, cut on the bias, (prior to folding right sides together, stitched right sides together, and turned inside out)

The tricky part was sandwiching the small front facing between the folded front facing and the sleeve. I found the illustration somewhat vague in the placement  of the front facings, collar, and central neckline, with respect to each other.  I continuously turned over the collar and facings to ensure that the "pointed" portion of the small front facing  (originally a separate piece) does not protrude or become visible when worn.  Then I had to "scoot" the upper edge of the small front facing until it surpasses the central front edge of the neckline.  Also in order for the pieces to align nicely, I had to deepen the scoop of the neckine an additional  3/8" while sewing through all the layers.  Hence, the neckline of the center front then looked on par with those on the pattern envelope.

Here is a picture after sewing the layers of the necklne, collar, and facings: 

Without the bow:

Overall Evaluation:

If you enjoy working with retro/vintage patterns , I would recommend this pattern based on the nicely presented directions while being attentive to the sizing, fit, and the construction of the collar and facings.  Due to time constraints and other patterns waiting in the wings,  I probably will not use this pattern again. 

"Her Name is Barbra" auction with clothing/accessories from her movies.