Baby, You're a Firework!

"Firework"

Do you ever feel like a plastic bag,
Drifting through the wind, wanting to start again?
Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin,
Like a house of cards, one blow from caving in?

Do you ever feel already buried deep six feet under?
Scream but no one seems to hear a thing.
Do you know that there's still a chance for you?
'Cause there's a spark in you.

You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine
Just own the night like the 4th of July.

'Cause, baby, you're a firework!
Come on, show 'em what you're worth.
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh".
As you shoot across the sky-y-y.

Baby, you're a firework!
Come on, let your colors burst.
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh".
You're gonna leave 'em all in awe, awe, awe.

You don't have to feel like a wasted space.
You're original, cannot be replaced.
If you only knew what the future holds.
After a hurricane comes a rainbow.

Maybe you reason why all the doors are closed.
So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road.
Like a lightning bolt, your heart will glow.
And when it's time you'll know.

You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine
Just own the night like the 4th of July

'Cause, baby, you're a firework!
Come on, show 'em what you're worth.
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh".
As you shoot across the sky-y-y.

Baby, you're a firework!
Come on, let your colors burst.
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh".
You're gonna leave 'em all in awe, awe, awe.

Boom, boom, boom!
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon.
It's always been inside of you, you, you.
And now it's time to let it through-ooo-ooo...

I don't normally listen to Katy Perry, just sayin. But, I can really relate to the lyrics of this song. I am so much more than I had felt like I was, in recent years! It's so good to feel good about myself again!   


My fabric is a lovely, lightweight, soft silk that I found buried under a ton of other fabrics, at my favorite local Fabric shop. This fabric just makes me think of this song. It reminds me of a million colorful explosions in the dark, night sky. It makes me smile and want to celebrate! I'll use it to create a summer top that I could wear on the 4th of July! Billowy and breezy, my top will be! I'll sew View C of McCall's Pattern 6467.  

It will feature 4 buttons on the front, purely as decoration. I'm thinking these will do. But, I'll choose for certain later. I cut my fabric pieces out totally random. I don't want it to look placed or spaced evenly. I want a random splash of explosions across the midnight blue background. Kind of how it would be if it was an actual fireworks display.  

This is a super simple blouse, but it will take a lot of work to construct. Normally, a top will consist of a back and a front, using 2 or 3 pieces. This blouse will have a dozen panels, all attached together, to make the front and back. The downside is that this creates more work, cutting, pinning, sewing and finishing.     

The upside is that it will give my blouse a much more polished and tailored look. It will allow me to make it more form fitting and will also make a flared bottom drape easily and very nicely.  


This is the inside of the front 6 sections, sewn together.  

Now, I'll make the Flounce for the neckline.   

Checking the drapiness factor! And yes, I just made up the word "Drapiness". I'm not sure what else to call it! haha     

I have added a narrow hem to the flounce and pinned it in place on my front. This will just hang here, while I make the back.    

The back is made, using the same process of adding panels. The back will be a bit longer than the front too. 

All 6 panels of the back are together and I pin them to the front panels at the shoulders. I sew them together. I join them at both sides too.  
 I finish the neckline and choose buttons. I decide on contrasting pink buttons, instead of the blue I first chose. The blue didn't really show up very well, against more blue. I like these better.


This view calls for these odd "Bubble" type short sleeves. I really didn't know if I would like them or not. But, nothing ventured, nothing gained. I could miss out on my new favorite sleeve. Besides, if I hate them, it won't be too much to remove them and just finish it as a sleeveless blouse.

 Little did I know what a flippin PITA it would be to make and attach these sleeves! I know better next time. Once I got them on and tried it on, I didn't hate them. But, I didn't love them either. If I make it again, I'll opt for a different sleeve.
 
A finished garment. My new blouse, bubble sleeves and all. Wonder how it looks on?
  

TADA! Not too shabby!
 
I actually love it. I already plan to make another version, View D, maybe in a nice Hawaiian print! I have a few fabrics in my stash that would serve it well! I leave for the gym in less than an hour, I'll check it out when I get home!

~Originally posted on May 01, 2012, by Stef~