Silk Charmeuse blouse, Part 2 - Hidden Buttonhole Placket, plus enter the Holiday Giveaway

In my last post I started a silk charmeuse blouse but modified the pattern, Simplicity 2339, to have a hidden buttonhole placket and facing instead of an attached button front band.

Here is a look at the blouse front and the facing, with the placket pieces interfaced and then stitched right sides together.  On the right the placket is pressed toward the facing, this is the side that will get the buttonholes.  

Now the placket has been edgestitched on both sides, just on the inside. You can see the edgestitching where the center is open at the bottom of the photo.  I think I neglected to take some photos during this process since I was working it out as I went, and not really thinking about documenting.  (in case it didn't work out!) So I can't show you the steps in between the photo above and below.  Hatty commented that she would like a tutorial on this hidden button placket, so I will try to do that soon.

For the buttonhole placement and spacing, I copied those from my RTW blouse.   Any shortcut at hand in December, when sewing at super speed!  

And I didn't follow my own tip which many readers have used - stitching the interfacing and then turn and press, that would have been a great edge treatment for this blouse facing. What was I thinking?  Sewing on autopilot and using scrap pieces of interfacing so the facing edge is less than lovely.  Oh well, next time.

Here is the finished placket seen from the right side. Buttonholes not cut yet. On the right is the blouse front, I ran a line of basting stitching and pinned very carefully to topstitch.

The finished blouse.  Look, Ma, no visible buttonholes. I can see it needs a good press.  The skirt is Simplicity 2512, a Cynthia Rowley skirt, which is crazy.  Cute on the mannequin, OK when worn if I could only stand with my backside to the wall.  One turn to the side, and it looks like an inflatable tire around the tummy and behind.  Unwearable.  I like the waistband and the fabric is just right with the blouse (scroll down to the bottom of this post for the first appearance of this fabric).  So I will be taking it apart and cutting down the skirt.

Couple more pics.

And what about that holiday giveaway?  A random drawing from those who comment between now and Dec. 20. As I mentioned in my previous post, a box of See's Candy for a commenter in the US, and for international commenters, a choice of 2 sewing books (Palmer & Pletch Tailoring, or Singer Creative Sewing)

How to enter?  I put out a challenge to ask what Vogue pattern you would like to see me make and post about from start to finish (fabric, fitting and sewing).  You don't have to suggest a pattern if Vogues are not on your radar, just say hello and say where you are located.  Great nominations so far although a bit glamorous for my life these days - no red carpet appearances in my calender this upcoming awards season :)

Happy Holiday Sewing, Beth