Fabric Fiasco....gets me thinking of spring

        Well, I thought I had a very organized and thoughtful plan to sew my next project; which was BurdaStyle Downloadable Pattern   108B.  However, my fabric choice, turned into a fiasco.  The fabric Burda recommends for this pattern is lightweight wool crepe.  Things were looking great for me when I was at Hancock Fabrics and spotted a beautiful burgundy 100% wool crepe, and I thought this was the perfect fabric for the pleated dress, and with cold temperatures lasting till April..... a lightweight wool dress would be great for Asheville.   Well, the thoughtful plan flew out the window after preparing my fabric.  Here is what happened.  I soaked the fabric in Eucalan wool wash and then placed in the dryer with my wet towel.   When the fabric was completely dry it did felt and expand; which made it too thick for the pleats.  Oh well.  With out a second thought I have moved onto a pretty spring blouse, and will consider a different fabric for 108B.

Wool Crepe Pleated Dress 108B

       While skimming through the Wall Street Journal I came across an article / pictures of the hottest trends for spring...........and this spring it is all about pleats.  (Life is so full of serendipity. )  I fell in love with this Suno Boxy Pleat Top, but not the price $550. Check it out: 

Suno Boxy Pleat Top

    For real, come on $550 and the blouse is not lined and is a mix of mostly poly with a little cotton.  I understand a little bit of poly will keep it from wrinkling but why should the blend be more poly then cotton?  Anyway, my goal is to recreate this blouse using cotton sateen for the shell fabric and lawn for the lining.  Fortunately I have a bodice (which is already adjusted for me) that matches the Suno Boxy Pleat Top.  Check it out, (V8894).

Vogue 8894 / Bodice to be used as a sloper for my version of the Boxy Pleat

    O.k.  I will keep you all posted with my newest idea. Hopefully I will end up with a beautifully pleated blouse for spring.