Vogue 1170 taking shape

I'm really enjoying making this blouse, once all the narrow hemming is done (and yes I really must learn how to do a half decent one by machine) it takes shape pretty fast.

At the end of step 11 you have something that looks like this;

i.e. nothing like a blouse and everything like a cat mat

And then magically once you tie a knot at the centre front, just like knotting a ribbon, and stitch the remaining centre front and side seams, the beginnings of a blouse appear!

I'm now thinking about how to finish the back, it's supposed to button all the way up, but I may replace this with a short opening and a single button/loop opening at the top (making sure it fits over my head!). Once that's figured out and the hem is done I'll be finished, not bad going for me.

In todays non sewing spot, yesterday I went to one of HK's high end department store outlets and had one of those rare OMG retail moments. I've already bored my husband to bits about it so I will share here:- I found a soft, distressed, metallic leather jacket by Elie Tahari in my size reduced from HK$ 11,500 to HK$ 500 - thats around US$ 1,500 to $ 60 - BARGAIN! It didn't actually have the new price on the label just a coloured sticker - I rechecked the board explaining the what the stickers meant about 50 times before I went to the cash till I can tell you.