So, after wearing the Jester blouse for a day and mulling it over for days in my head, I decided I really wanted to do that neckline differently. Y’know, like Burda had suggested in the first place. *hand-forehead* So I unpicked the long ties from the front pieces, all the way back to the front sleeve seam and added a 1/4″ narrow bias binding.
I hand stitched it to the neckline with as tiny stitches as I could manage, but of course, everything shows up on this silk charmeuse.
I machine stitched the opening in the ties closed, catching the end of the bound neckline so that it would be secure. Although Burda doesn’t suggest it, I added a thread eye and a hook to the upper edge of the binding to keep it closed perfectly.
I used burgundy thread for the eye, and orange thread to make the thread loop, which can barely be seen in the background above. Looks good! I like it better than the lazy way I’d finished it previously. I can tie the ties higher, in a bow or leave them loose, or knot them lower. I like the versatility finishing the neckline this way affords me.
And, of course, the button closure lies closed properly now. I’m always going back to change something once a garment is complete. Do you continue to fuss with “finished garments”, too?
Mezzo Couture 
Nice fabric! and blouse.. I improve my finished garments constatnly as well…
It does look really beautifully finished! I think it is well worth going back to fix something up if you weren’t completely happy, I’m always pleased when I do although it seems like a drag at the time. Your top is the yummiest print!!
Lovely finish and there’s nothing worse than wearing or not wearing a garment because a fixable detail is off so I’m glad you did change it.
I haven’t sewed and finished enough pieces for me to have this happen yet though I know I would go back and fix something if it was annoying me. Couldn’t help myself 🙂
Well done, what beautiful tiny and regular stitches! You can be proud that they show 🙂 I personally find it very difficult to go back to things once they are “officially finished”. It’s really only after it’s been bothering me for a while that I finally go back and fix whatever the problem is. How does that saying go? “We only change when the pain of not changing is greater than the pain of changing.” So true for me!
For me, sometimes I just need to wear the garment once and I realize I need to change something and so I go back and tweak it or, sometimes I am less than thrilled with the garment that I have sewn and I let it *rest* in the closet for a few days (weeks!) before I will even wear it; however, I think your jester blouse is beautiful. The fabric is so brilliant and luscious – of course, silk charmeuse is always so elegant and just a dream to wear. I admire your sewing skills in sewing the bias on the neckline – truly couture!
I frequently fiddle with (supposedly) finished things. Usually 😉 for the better. Your fiddling works beautifully!
Yes I do back and improve things too.This is a beautiful blouse and your hand stitching is lovely- very couture, as Ann has already said,
Nicely done! I think that niggling issue would have made you dislike it and its too pretty to not love!
I think the neckline binding hand stitches are a very nice couture touch. You could have used just a plain old machine top stitching and it would have looked cheap. I don’t go back and fuss with my clothes once they are done as I have no time with doing client’s clothes but it it makes you happy to do so, then you absolutely HAVE TO do it and in the end it will feel so much better wearing it.