Armistice Blouse

While this style was very popular and practically a dime a dozen (for lack of a better phrase) what really fascinates me, is how unique they all are! Despite having the same basic shape, they’re like blank canvases allowing their makers to play and experiment with needlework, lace, fabric scraps, or any other trimmings they could get their hands on. Brilliant!

OK, history lesson over. Let’s get onto how I made my Armistice Blouse.

These blouses were traditionally white, made out of semi-transparent cottons, linens, or gauze. Of course, I couldn’t resist putting my own spin on things and made mine black. (Hey, once you know the rules, you’re allowed to break them, am I right?) The fabric I used is cotton with an interesting swiss dot / eyelet texture. A basic black cotton solid was used for the collar, neck, and cuff facings.

Construction was pretty straight-forward. It all came together very easily! Although, while the instructions/illustrations are very clear, it does assume the maker has some prior sewing skills under their belt.

For example, they don’t always tell you how to finish a seam or advise trimming-down certain seam allowances to 1/8 of an inch to prevent bulk.

This blouse is, well … blousey! Fit wasn’t much of an issue, so I made the small.

The only adjustment made was to the height of the center-front panel, or the “vestee”. It was much too low, so I unpicked all that hand-stitching and raised it about an 1.5″. Needless to say, I got quite a bit of whip-stitch practice in!

While doing this caused the hem of the vestee not to lie flush with the rest of the shirt’s hem, I was OK with it. I’ll be tucking it into my skirt anyway, and I kinda like the look, to be honest.

Also, after attaching the neck/collar facings, I did go ahead and apply under-stitching so it would lie flat.

o be honest, I wasn’t sure I’d love the finish garment. I’m not sure why … Maybe I feared it would be too “blousey” or it would look frumpy, or something wouldn’t be right … but when all was said and done, I’m completely in love!! Especially paired with my Edwardian Modern Fantail Walking Skirt by Scroop Patterns.

Needless to say, I am going to be making more Armistice Blouses! … Perhaps in the more traditional white/cream, next time.

Random thought: Armistice blouses are kind of like the precursor to the Hawaiian shirt. Weird analogy, I know. But to that I say, can we please make Armistice Shirt Fridays a thing? Who’s with me!?

More details/photos over on my blog: https://thepeculiarstitch.wordpress.com/2020/03/11/consider-the-armistice-blouse/