Blouse 114 from the 4.2007 issue is coming along very slowly on account of the WORST instructions ever. But I’ve managed to make it over the major hurdles, and am now at the point where I can see what the final product is going to look like. And it is crazy. After I basted on the first ruffle, I tried it on and looked in the mirror and said thought, “WHAT!” I went out into the living room where Dan was having a Skype call with his parents and he burst into laughter. Then I basted on the remaining ruffles and it’s still crazy, but maybe (?) getting better? I have to admit, although it’s remaining consistently ridiculous, it’s starting to grow on me. Dan’s comment: “Well, something is growing on you.” And indeed, this blouse makes me feel like one of these:
Anyway, I got the ruffles stitched on and basted one sleeve in place. Now I’m starting to think that if this blouse is worth finishing at all, it might look better sleeveless. So I basted the seam allowance on one side inwards to see what that might look like. Here’s where we are currently:
So. Unquestionably crazy, right? That leaves me with two questions for you:
1. Good crazy or bad crazy?
2. If good crazy, better with sleeves or without?
97 comments
Comments feed for this article
February 28, 2010 at 5:27 pm
Jeanne B.
Good crazy, and I’m surprised to find I like it better without the sleeves. Saves you from the nightmare of stripe matching, too. Very cute.
February 28, 2010 at 6:22 pm
sewing elle
good crazy! I love it even more with sleeves than without
February 28, 2010 at 6:24 pm
Amy Grant
Looks much better sans sleeves. And its a good crazy :P
February 28, 2010 at 6:31 pm
Sewjourner
Definitely good crazy. Sleeveless.
February 28, 2010 at 6:35 pm
peter
Haven’t we been down this sleeves/no sleeves road before with your wrap dress? I say add the sleeves. I think it’s looking great and that chocolate-y brown is extremely flattering to you.
February 28, 2010 at 6:40 pm
juebejue
eeks! ^_^ i am not too much of a ruffle person, so sorry, i have to say, bad crazy ^_^ *runs away from ss*!
would it be better if there is less ruffles? woo! what if you replaced the current ruffles with the types of ruffles you had on your famous coffee date dress?
February 28, 2010 at 6:41 pm
K-Line
Good crazy but best without sleeves.
February 28, 2010 at 6:41 pm
Angela
Ooo.. I think it’s good crazy, too. I prefer sleeveless. :) Good luck!
February 28, 2010 at 6:44 pm
Reethi
Oh, good crazy, definitely. And I like the sleeves better.
February 28, 2010 at 6:52 pm
Victoria Baylor
Definitely Good Crazy and I like it w/o the sleeves. That way the collar stands out by itself and isn’t overwhelmed by the striped sleeves:)
February 28, 2010 at 7:03 pm
Rose in SV
Go asymmetrical and keep it as is. Burda has featured one-shouldered tops–be ahead of the trend and go with with one sleeve! it’s like two blouses in one–a different view from each profile. ;)
If you want more traditional styling, then I would go sleeveless.
Rose in SV
February 28, 2010 at 7:03 pm
Venus de Hilo
Good crazy! Definitely with sleeves; they provide necessary balance. Without ‘em it veers into bad crazy (IMO).
February 28, 2010 at 7:04 pm
Bissy
I vote for good crazy without the sleeves.
February 28, 2010 at 7:10 pm
Byrdie
I prefer the look without the sleeves. It makes the main detail of the blouse the ruffles whic are really cool.
February 28, 2010 at 7:11 pm
Robin
good crazy sleeveless.
With sleeves- too Mother of the Bride.
If it still bothers you, maybe play with ruffle to create some asymetry?
February 28, 2010 at 7:13 pm
Rebecca
Oo, without sleeves, definitely!! And I am not ashamed to say that I have GREAT fashion sense.
Here’s to selfish seamstresses ’round the globe!
Rebecca from Hawaii
February 28, 2010 at 7:14 pm
Marybeth
I think with the sleeves it’s good crazy, without the sleeves the ruffles are too big, so it ventures into bad crazy… Good luck!
February 28, 2010 at 7:14 pm
Mel
I like it better without sleeves. It seems more balanced somehow.
February 28, 2010 at 7:16 pm
Sydlynn
I’m not one for frills or ruffles, yet I love it. What saves it is the wide, scooped, face-framing neckline, and the fitted bodice, which make it look modern & innovative. But I say keep the sleeves. It’s more refined & versitile.
February 28, 2010 at 7:33 pm
Mz. Whitney
Good crazy, but only WITH the sleeves! I feel like they ground the ruffles and make the look bolder and more sophisticated.
February 28, 2010 at 7:40 pm
Sandra
It’s not even about the ruffles, but (based on my admittedly limited information — the two photos you have up there) you look a little bit saddened by all the ruffles, which means:no.
February 28, 2010 at 7:43 pm
Amy
Welcome back! I missed you.
I join the others in saying that I do like it. I usually don’t do ruffles — especially not that many of them. But the wide scoop neck and the ruffles do combine to look great on you. I say keep it. I don’t know on the sleeves or not – they both look fine to me.
February 28, 2010 at 7:47 pm
hills
good crazy & sleeveless
February 28, 2010 at 7:55 pm
KJoe
Good crazy – I like the sleeve version best. My only real worry is about you having to iron all those ruffles every time you wash the shirt….
February 28, 2010 at 7:59 pm
Nikole
without is definitely much better and any more ruffles and you would like the cabbage patch kids logo
February 28, 2010 at 8:00 pm
AmyG
The sleeve seems to balance the blouse. I’m small and short as you are 4’11 inches and I at times shy away from patterns like that, but it is so cute on you without being overpowering. But… I vote for sleeves.
February 28, 2010 at 11:41 pm
selfishseamstress
Thank you! And as a fellow short person, I can sympathize with your experience of being eaten up by your clothes!
On a side note, I would like to point out that I am a full 5’0″ :D I say this not to gloat, as 5’0″ is pretty much the same as 4’11″ from the perspective of rest of the world (i.e. all they can see are the tops of our heads), but I’m sure that as a fellow munchkin, you know how important it is to me to take credit for every last quarter inch of height that I can! :D
February 28, 2010 at 8:03 pm
Sunni Standing
Oh dear! The ruffles are too much! I’m sorry, the moment I saw it I burst into laughter. I’ve made a top like this before, but instead of ruffles the sleeves were crazy. I mean way crazy. People looked at me way crazy when I wore it. I had to change them. I like the ruffles, because I adore ruffles, but I feel like it’s a little too much. Maybe if the ruffles were in a more flowy and less stiff fabric. Sleeveless too. Love the fabric choice though. Seriously cute pinstripes.
February 28, 2010 at 8:10 pm
Lily
Good crazy! I like the ruffles. They are definitely less conservative than the stuff you usually wear, but I think you should embrace it!
Definitely no sleeves. With the sleeves it looks like it WANTS to be taken seriously; no sleeves is more honest in its frivolity!
February 28, 2010 at 11:45 pm
selfishseamstress
I think you have hit the nail on the head, and put into words something that I instinctively felt but couldn’t articulate. When I saw the line drawing for this, I thought it would be a blouse that I could wear to work. But now that I see in made up there is no way that this is going anywhere other than out to dinner tucked into a pair of cream colored trousers. Sleeves would be a failed attempt to disguise this as a career separate, and it would be a very poor disguise indeed. Thank you!
February 28, 2010 at 8:16 pm
Sandra
1) Good crazy. 2) Without.
February 28, 2010 at 8:29 pm
plummy
good crazy, and definitely with no sleeves!
February 28, 2010 at 8:31 pm
Beth
Good crazy, sleeveless.
February 28, 2010 at 8:41 pm
Simone
I think you ROCK this crazy shirt — in the best way possible. I too vote good crazy, sleeveless. Wear it with some ‘tude and expect to elicit *envious* stares :-))
February 28, 2010 at 8:44 pm
Claire
I like the ruffles… and I vote FOR sleeves. They tone down the drama.
February 28, 2010 at 8:46 pm
jackie
Good crazy but I wouldn’t have the balls to wear it to work.
If the problem is feeling like your head is surrounded with a cabbage, I would consider removing the ruffles, shortening them, and then reattaching them. Or perhaps over-sewing the seam on the outside so they lay a little more flat.
February 28, 2010 at 8:46 pm
jackie
Oh and the sleeves do tone down the drama. More wearable with sleeves IMO.
February 28, 2010 at 8:47 pm
Amanda S.
I would totally wear that design, but then I like to stand out from the crowd sometimes. You seem to be more of a subdued person with what you wear – solid colors that aren’t too loud, traditional styles. I like it with the sleeves because of the dark brown you chose. The eye goes up to your face and those awesome ruffles, and not to the sharp contrast of your bare light arms and the fabric. Not that you need two of these, but I can see this made up in a white gauzy fabric without sleeves for summer.
February 28, 2010 at 9:14 pm
selfishseamstress
Hmmm… I wouldn’t say that it’s exactly my goal to blend in with the crowd but I’ll keep that comment in mind when I pick my projects. It’s a real thinker for someone who has always thought of herself as having a somewhat distinct sense of style. Perhaps I am growing a bit dull in my old age. Hrmmmmm.
February 28, 2010 at 8:53 pm
formalsandmore
Definetely without!
February 28, 2010 at 8:56 pm
Beangirl
Um. Nice jeans.
February 28, 2010 at 9:25 pm
CGCouture
^ I’m with her. I’m thinking the shirt is a “no”, too Cruella DeVille (I think I need to lay off the Disney movies! *eek*). If you were to finish it though, I’d have to say sleeveless. OR, maybe you could lose a couple of sets of ruffles, and just have a pleated-looking ruffle that runs around the neckline? If you did that (so that it looks more like the line drawing), you could leave the sleeves on and it would be fabulous. :-)
March 1, 2010 at 1:54 am
Echo
Yep nice jeans and I agree with CGCouture. Sleeves balance, somewhat. Or at least you’re less in danger of being fluff ruffle neck chick in nice pants/skirt. And, for GODS SAKE if you do finish it (with sleeves, of course) wear amazingly killer heels and a very very very very slim line skirt…..
February 28, 2010 at 8:56 pm
peacockchic
I am on the with sleeve team
February 28, 2010 at 9:24 pm
lsaspacey
Good crazy, sleeveless!
February 28, 2010 at 9:24 pm
Margaret
Something seems off about the proportions with the sleeves. I want them to be longer, with perhaps a subtler ruffle at the cuff? As they are they seem to belong to a different shirt.
In general I like sleeved shirts because they are more wearable. But I think Lily is right about the sleeveless version being “more honest in its frivolity”.
February 28, 2010 at 9:40 pm
Imaan
Good crazy, IF you keep the sleeves. Without, the balance is wrong, and looks too costumey, which I ASSUME, is not what you are going for. Love the colour on you.
February 28, 2010 at 10:19 pm
Amy
I like it, but with the sleeves. Without, and I’m thinking I can see where you get the Cabbage Patch reference. It’s just too many ruffles sleeveless. But, I do adore the fabric and color. I think I want one with sleeves though. Of course, my mom once told me that I looked like a plucked chicken w/ sleeveless outfits, so I’ve never since worn one. It’s amazing what a comment like that does to the sixteen old year psyche. Even 16 years later. So, maybe you want to discredit my vote – not that I think you look plucked chicken like – I just thinking that my vote was swayed before you even asked! ;)
February 28, 2010 at 10:27 pm
LynnR
Beautiful! The top, ruffles & all, frame your face perfectly. I’m not a ruffles fan, but this looks gorgeous on you!
For dressy, I’d say sleeveless.
February 28, 2010 at 11:08 pm
cape owner
wow. bad crazy.
February 28, 2010 at 11:11 pm
Trudy callan
I like it better with the sleeves. And I adore those ruffles.
February 28, 2010 at 11:18 pm
Vicki
Good crazy. I love it. I like the sleeves too.
February 28, 2010 at 11:22 pm
Angela
without sleeves it’s a good semi-formal summer thing (i’m thinking appt at an office with serious dark pants or bridal shower with light-colored peg skirt)
If I mentally edit out the ruffle, the cut looks business casual to me – and then the ruffle is too much.
February 28, 2010 at 11:34 pm
Anonymous
It is either good or crazy. If you thought it was good, you wouldn’t be asking us. Wad it and move on. Mae
February 28, 2010 at 11:37 pm
selfishseamstress
Hehehe, I don’t know if I agree with that one! I’m firmly convinced that clothes can be good *and* crazy. After all, I did make a leopard print trench coat a couple of years back which I rather love. Of course, that being said, bad and crazy is also a legitimate possibility.
February 28, 2010 at 11:44 pm
Jenny
Definitely good crazy, and I do like the sleeves. I think they kind of balance out the ruffles. Sleeveless, it looks a bit more like your shirt is trying to swallow your head. (again, in a good way, I promise!)
February 28, 2010 at 11:48 pm
Cindy C
Good crazy, definitely sleeveless.
Heck with being more versatile with sleeves. The ruffles demand attention, so I would not muddy the waters with the distraction of sleeves. They are too conservative and would make the blouse look a tad schizoid.
As to the electrified-looking ruffles, they’re kinda cute as is. But I liked the suggestion above to make the ruffles a bit narrower. To test how it would look, ruffle up a foot long strip of fabric in your desired narrower test width. Then, while wearing the blouse, tuck all the ruffles under (as if they were facings waiting to be tacked down) to create a temporary collarless effect. Now hold up your little ruffled test strip to your neck to gauge whether a narrower ruffle would be more attractive.
March 1, 2010 at 12:00 am
Karen
It looks great on you! I like the with sleeves version better.
March 1, 2010 at 12:14 am
Karen
I think the ruffles are too wide, especially the one closest to your face. If you trimmed them, it may solve the cabbage leaf problem. I like it better with sleeves.
March 1, 2010 at 12:22 am
Tenshi
Definitely good crazy. I’m not so sure about the sleeves, but I think it’s better with sleeves. They tone it down a bit, but not too much. And I’d totally wear it to the office. You could rock that look.
But then again, I’m the girl who wears dresses, skirts and blouses in the lab and nothing but heels where everyone else wears jeans & t-shirts & sneakers, so maybe I’m not the person to ask about work appropriate dress. ;)
March 1, 2010 at 1:59 am
lin3arossa
Good crazy, dump the sleeves. I think they don’t make sense with the low neckline anyway.
March 1, 2010 at 2:25 am
Anonymous
Ok here’s how it is. This pattern, as an evening top in the right material in a block colour would defintely look good sleeveless. Your brown stripe poplin, lovely as it is, it screams ‘work’ so it should therefore have sleeves. It looks too bare without them. The ‘I’m at work but wearing something unusual’ look doesn’t work without the sleeves.
Finish it, with sleeves, then make a totally frivolous one to party in.
March 1, 2010 at 2:26 am
Karin
Ok, I’ll go against the trend and say: good crazy, but it might turn into a closetwarmer (judging from my personal experience of gorgeous ruffles that just never get worn).
Against stream part: go for short sleeves. I think it needs sleeves to not look too Florida:ish, but the long sleeves clash with the ruffles. Long sleeves read office, ruffles party party. Short sleeves it must be :-). Simple ones, but possibly with the slightest puff at the sleeve-cap.
March 1, 2010 at 3:53 am
Kath Chown
Definitely good crazy and definitely without the sleeves!
March 1, 2010 at 4:24 am
momtomifters
what if you just toned down that one really huge ruffle next to the neckline? After that, I’m team sleeves :-)
March 1, 2010 at 4:34 am
Anonymous
I dunno…the ruffles are a little big….shorter ruffles perhaps?
And with sleeves. Love the color.
March 1, 2010 at 5:52 am
Cidell
As an owner of this shirt, I’m going to say good crazy. Not because I love it myself, but because it always gets an amazing positive reaction when I wear it. I should iron and starch mine.
March 1, 2010 at 6:05 am
Helen
To me, it’s a muslin, dear seamstress. Sleeves or no sleeves, currently, the ruffles (which I love) draw the eye away from the fact that it doesn’t seem to fit you around the bust, ribcage and upper hips. I know you weren’t asking about that but that is more striking to me than the ruffles.
March 1, 2010 at 2:00 pm
selfishseamstress
The fit is actually surprisingly good (not thanks to any skill on my part but thanks to Burda’s drafting). The pulling that you’re seeing across the ribcage and bust is due to the fact that I turned the seam allowance on the arm opening inwards and basted it in place without clipping the seam allowances so it’s puckering. This was just to get a feel for how it would look sleeveless. If the seam allowances were clipped, it would release those areas where it’s pulling)
March 1, 2010 at 6:09 am
Melanie
I like it, but the sleeveless is more appealing. Maybe because there’s less clutter that way? And besides spring is in the air (I hope) and it looks really fun that way : )
March 1, 2010 at 6:25 am
kathleen
I vote GOOD Crazy and sleeveless, please. I like the sleeves, but it looks more balanced without, to me.
March 1, 2010 at 7:07 am
Claudine
That’s not crazy at all. It’s great. Leaving the sleeves would be more fashionable. Sleeveless looks rather 2008.
March 1, 2010 at 7:37 am
Rachelle
Not crazy at all, or if crazy, then crazy in a good way.
Also, if the vote’s still open, I’m voting for WITH sleeves. I’m not the most fashion-forward person on the face of the planet, but WITH the sleeves, it looks like something I’d expect to see over a slim skirt and wicked shoes, ready to rock the boardroom.
Without the sleeves, it looks like something I’d expect to see under a simple cardi, at the reception desk, ready to answer the phone. Still a good thing, but somewhat less kickass.
Just my two measly cents!
March 1, 2010 at 7:40 am
hanna
I love it!! And I´m pro sleeves, definitely!
March 1, 2010 at 7:51 am
hanna
Ok, it´s me again, and I´ve thunk a little and now have to correct myself. I love it, but I love bold clothes and you, judging from what you have made before and your Burda magazines reviews, seem to be a rather conservative dresser, so: I don´t know. Maybe you won´t feel really comfortable in this. And that is what counts.
March 1, 2010 at 7:57 am
selfishseamstress
Heheh. I think it’s funny that I’m getting these comments about my taste being so conventional. I’ve never thought of myself that way, and in fact was voted the most fashionable in my 10th grade French class :D But I think it may be the case that I *sew* conservative stuff because I don’t like to spend so much time and effort things that I’ll only wear for a year or so or will only wear every six months. Believe it or not, I do have the reputation among friends and colleagues as being the “stylish” one. Though perhaps this says more about my friends’ and colleagues’ sense of style than it says about mine :D Like I said, perhaps I’ve grown dull in my old age and didn’t notice it!
March 1, 2010 at 9:16 am
Bishojomandy
You are definitely Stylish.
No one would read your blog if you weren’t. You pick beautiful clothes and you make them look good!
If you don’t like the words conventional or conservative maybe classical with flare would be better to describe your style? You seem to show lots of classical pieces but you do add personality to them.
I think the ruffle shirt is good crazy with or with out sleeves. I think without sleeves it gives off more of a flirtatious confident vibe for going out and partying where as the shirt with sleeves would be good in a work environment where you want to stand out and literally wear confidence. I definitely think that you can not wear this shirt unless you want people to stop and really pay attention to you. It is an attention grabber and if you don’t feel confident and beautiful in it people will see it on your face and will react to how you feel.
March 1, 2010 at 7:57 am
Elke
I vote GOOD crazy! This blouse would look good WITH sleeves in this particular fabric. It could look great without sleeves depending on the fabric choice. This looks great on you!
March 1, 2010 at 8:50 am
Julie
I agree with an anonymous post earlier…if you have to ask, bad crazy. I really want to like the blouse but it just feels like something that will hang in your closet and never be worn. If you’re feeling crazy, go with sleeves.
March 1, 2010 at 9:14 am
The Slapdash Sewist
I actually prefer it with the sleeves. The darker color is more suited to sleeves, and they tone down the ruffles by giving more weight to the rest of the blouse. I am all about crazy, so I have no objective opinion to offer on that.
March 1, 2010 at 9:25 am
Jessica H.
Good crazy and WITH sleeves. I think it takes a little bit of focus away from the neckline area. Without sleeves, all you focus on is the ruffle around the neck.
March 1, 2010 at 10:58 am
Cennetta
I think good crazy without sleeves.
March 1, 2010 at 11:30 am
Ellen
I’m kind of late to the party, but I say GOOD crazy, and can go either way with the sleeves.
March 1, 2010 at 12:39 pm
amber
Well, call me crazy, but I LOVE the ruffles! I think they’re fun and I’d totally wear them to the office. I actually like it with the sleeves, but if you really think you’ll only wear it as a going-out blouse, then skip the sleeves. Otherwise, I think it’s great. :)
March 1, 2010 at 12:48 pm
Laura Georgina
Good crazy with sleeves–maybe would even benefit from being taken to the craziest of crazy and given a slightly bigger ruffle?
March 1, 2010 at 2:24 pm
Stephanie
I think that sleeves with tailored cuffs would probably pull in the ruffle a little bit, and the brown pin stripe also makes the shirt look more adult. I tend to avoid a lot of ruffles simply because in my 40s, I don’t want to look like I am wearing larger versions of what I make for my 4 year old niece. Just make sure there is no frou frou on the bottom you wear it with with, and I think you can make it work. Yes, I admitted to sewing for another. I am still a selfish seamstress, but Isobel does not how to be appropriately enthusiastic. She begs for clothes.
March 1, 2010 at 5:25 pm
Re
I think it’s good crazy. The dark colour definitely makes it looks less circus-ish and even wearable, on the right occasions of course. Personally I think it would look better without sleeves and then could be worn more as a fun shirt; I think the long sleeves would make it look serious and completely clash with the fun aspect of the ruffles. What on earth was Burda thinking when they designed this shirt??
March 1, 2010 at 6:08 pm
Christie
My prediction is- you will finish this blouse with sleeves, wear it once or twice, and it will hang in your closet.
March 1, 2010 at 7:10 pm
Sue
88 comments! That must be some kind of record!!!
As to the sleeves/no sleeves debate, I’m with the comment about half way through of having one side with a sleeve and one side without.
Who said you were conservative?
March 1, 2010 at 7:52 pm
Maura
I think you should shorten the ruffles by at least a third. I like the ruffles, but you are so beautifully petite that I think they give you a Grande Dame quality; kind of like Linda Evans. On the other hand, you ARE the queen…
With or without sleeves; either is smashing on you.
March 1, 2010 at 8:45 pm
Moll
I love the funky, crazy ruffles! My initial inclination was to say add the sleeves, but after looking at it again I’m starting to think the sleeve version looks a bit witchy. Or Helena Bonham Carter. Well, same thing.
March 2, 2010 at 9:32 am
Kate
I am in the good-crazy, sleeveless,please camp. I haven’t read the 90 other comments, but I hope a pattern is emerging!
March 2, 2010 at 5:36 pm
Meredith P
Oooh! Gooood Crazy! As to the sleeves, selfishly, I think I like the long sleeves on ME! But you should go with what you like. ;-)
March 3, 2010 at 12:57 pm
Sara
My vote: no sleeves. I think the ruffle detail is more nicely accented that way.
As for one sleeve off, one sleeve on: I can’t make an aesthetic judgment as I just keep thinking, “wouldn’t one arm feel awfully COLD”?
March 5, 2010 at 10:41 pm
echo
Enuf already – wotcha gonna do SS?
March 8, 2010 at 1:34 pm
the short lady
I vote for sleeves, agreeing with the posts that say it gives balance to the ruffles, especially in the dark color. I also agree with the posts suggesting scaling them down a bit. Patterns are made for average size people. Petite people sometimes need to scale down a detail or look like they are little kids in grown up’s clothes.
March 8, 2010 at 9:55 pm
CindyC
http://www.zap2it.com/news/zap-2010-oscars-red-carpet-pictures,0,3587588.photogallery?index=4
The ruffle! Starring on an Oscar gown!!!!! No wonder it generates so many mixed feelings on a simple blouse.