The Puffbal Blouse

I wanted to make a statement blouse that was really fun and came up with the idea of a keyhole front and huge puff sleeves. It took me a while to figure out how to get the look I wanted for the sleeves – I ended up underlining them with silk organza to keep that rounded shape. The keyhole is also pretty deep because I liked the idea of a sexy neckline with those “Minnie Mouse” sleeves.

The blouse has a yoke which encloses the shoulder seams, which I moved slightly forward so that the yoke was more prominent. This was my first try at drafting a collar with a collar stand and it was easier than I thought it would be.

I made the blouse in a cotton-silk fabric with a design that I developed for the 50th anniversary of the Haute Couture Club of Chicago. Even though the design incorporates the club’s initials, it’s not readily apparent and reads as a fun print. I found a thin 2-sided velvet ribbon that I used to accent the lines of the blouse. And some cool black and white buttons that finish off the look.

I really like the blouse but it’s not quite for everyday wear. It would be a showstopper in a vibrant satin with rhinestone buttons and a long velvet skirt.