My “ladies maid” has a bad habit of not showing up when I need to get dressed, so I’ve adapted the blouse to have a hidden front placket and small inverted pleats for ease in the center back and on the sleeve. I’m determined to find a contemporary application for as many of these patterns as I can – I get invited to very few Edwardian tea parties – 
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I’ve really struggled with pattern drafting (I’m a total newbie to this aspect of sewing) so I’m going to try these alterations, along with long sleeves and cuffs, with a piece of rayon in my stash and then add the neck trim and bias insertion on the sleeve back in for the “final” project in striped linen which looks more “1912.”. Maybe everyone but me knows how to do these things, but if there is interest, I can post a step-by-step blog on the placket etc. This project isn’t giving me an extensive wardrobe, but it is sure teaching me some techniques and concepts I’d never managed to learn before. Not what I expected when I signed up, but it is really satisfying!
I love trying to adapt vintage patterns to modern day too. I’m sure you will do a wonderful job and learn a lot in the process! =)
I’m a sort of self-taught with the pattern drafting (luckily, I’ve worked with a lot of pattern makers who I’ve been able to pick up a little bit from) but I’ve found this book by Helen Joseph Armstrong wonderful. It’s a bit expensive (as all text books tend to be), but it is totally worth it! It is my go-to when I have a question or need a formula or measurement chart. The link is for the 3rd edition that I have – I know there’s a newer one but the older edition has a “look-inside” feature on amazon. Hope this helps you and good luck!
Posted by Brooke | February 20, 2012, 1:13 amThanks. I’ll look into it!! Right now I’m “making do” with Nancy Zieman’s book…not as good, but a starting place…
Posted by giraffeinreno | February 25, 2012, 4:22 pmI would love to see a “step by step” blog entry on the placket!
Posted by Erin Winslow | February 20, 2012, 5:45 pmThanks for your feedback. I hope to post that “step-by-step” this weekend.,
Posted by giraffeinreno | February 25, 2012, 4:21 pmI finally got the blog about the placket posted.
Posted by giraffeinreno | February 28, 2012, 11:52 pm