Embroidered Tablecloth Blouse

This is a project I've been thinking about for a long time. I have a collections of embroidered tablecloths - some inherited from my mother, and others I've picked up over the years. I've always planning to sew with them, but the idea of cutting into these precious fabrics - and possibly getting it wrong - kept holding me back.

At last, though, I have got sewing, and I'm really happy with the result. I used the Ethel Blouse pattern, which I had sewn a few weeks ago from some old curtain fabric. I particularly like this pattern, as no tricky buttonholes or zips.

I made a few alterations to accommodate the embroidery layout, and the limited amount of fabric I had. So there is now a central seam at the front and back panels. This meant I could position the embroidery symmetrically. I also decided not to gather the peplum. A few reasons for this: first, I didn't want the gathering to obscure the embroidery, which is the highlight of the piece; second, I really was short of fabric; and finally, a peplum apparently makes me look like I may be pregnant, according to my husband! Cheeky.

I was a little nervous about cutting into the embroidery. Might it come unravelled? But by carefully placing the pattern pieces, I managed to avoid cutting through most of the embroidered sections. And by french seaming throughout, I managed to enclose all the raw edges. I really do love a french seam. 

The sleeves were made from a second tablecloth, which I bought in a charity shop for £2. I did consider using a contrasting colour fabric, but in the end, I stuck with white to keep the blouse cohesive—and true to the tablecloth theme. I love the sleeve design in this pattern, so I was glad I could keep that detail.

I think my mum would be really pleased to see her embroidery given a new life like this. And now, after seeing my blouse, my daughter has asked me to make her a sleeveless version. Luckily, I have another tablecloth in mind that I think will be perfect.