Firstly, thank you so much for the extremely kind response to the Alice originals! There's only one left in the shop (as of this posting) (update: it's sold, too! All twelve are spoken for.) I'll be adding the prints very soon.
Secondly, a couple days ago, I got a bee in my bonnet to duplicate a simple blouse I own. I realized I was wearing this blouse about once a week, and I had some beautiful yardage of 1930's floral cotton voile just waiting to become something. It seemed like it would be very happy as a blouse.
It's always equal parts scary and exhilarating to cut into fabric that very well might be one-of-a-kind. But I also believe that pretty, special things are meant to be enjoyed, so I made my pattern and then cut & sewed this little garden print right up.
The fabric has the prettiest colors in it - strawberry coral, marigold yellow, ice blue & jadeite green. Oh, I just love it so.
The blouse I traced is a simple shift shape with minimal shaping (I added some darts so it wasn't a total sack) but most importantly, it has the perfect little tie that can become a bow, or just knotted, as above.
I added a collar underneath the tie (a scooped peter pan sort of deal) to add more versatility to how it could be worn, but truthfully, I think I might leave it off next time, since you can barely see it.
To determine if I think I'll be capable of drafting a pattern from something, I usually sit down with it for about 5-10 minutes, turn it inside out, examine the seams, figure out how things are attached. I look for things I'd like to change and figure out how I'd change them. Then I draft the pattern on butcher paper, and go to work! Happily, this one worked on the first try, which feels so good.
The blouse is different from the original in a lot of ways...it's shorter, has the peter pan collar, different sleeves. You'd probably only know they're related from the tie.
I wore it yesterday, and it's really so nice under my always-present cardigans.
I can't wait to sew one in black/white gingham!