Draping Today: Butterick 6713
I am a big fan of the draped dresses and blouses of the past. They made the most of a fine fabric and were reserved for the sophisticated woman over 30. There are far fewer draped design today in part because it takes more design creativity as well as better fabrics, but there are some. This new blouse from Butterick has nice neckline draping for fall and winter so long as you steer clear of the silly version with the slits which creates a set of garment lines at odds with the lines of collar bones it reveals. Choose C which has a closed shoulders and a cuff.
Notice this design is relatively loose through the body because the only opening is at the neckline in the back. So it must be cut loosely, or you wouldn’t be able to get into it. You can cut it slimmer if you opt for the vintage feature of a snap placket at the side. These run from about 2 inches below the armhole to the bottom of the hem, or--and this makes for a neater finish--to within 2 inches of the bottom of the hem. I cut the fabric strips that make for a snap placket a tiny bit off grain in order to allow them to bend easily with the waistline. Think about their width based on the fabric: for a relatively thin fabric, you will want to make sure you have enough width to double the fabric at least; while for a thicker fabric, you may want to simple finish the edge and keep it a single piece Of course, if you start experimenting, you need to baste before you make any decisions about the cut.
You can find it at your local fabric store, or online here: https://butterick.mccall.com/b6713
