Finished: A Pake Muu all of my own

Finished: A Pake Muu all of my own

Something I’ve always wanted, and have never sewn up is a Pake Muu.

I mean, it’s only been in my sewing queue for three years! Pake Muus were popularised by Alfred Shaheen during the 40s and 50s, when he blended chinese and polynesian styles.

I finally bit the bullet this week and modded a Simplicity pattern to make my very own! (sorry for the creases, I had been out and about!)

The pattern was Simplicity 8244, a 1950s repro that had some of the details I wanted – namely a slim fit, and mandarin collar.

To begin with, I removed a lot of the sleeve to make it a standard set in sleeve. Then I placed the side of the front piece that didn’t have buttons on a fold and voila – Pake Muu front! I only made some slight pattern tweaks for fit after that.

The sleeve patterns were mocked up from something else, and lined with contrast rayon just like a traditional Pake Muu. I even lined the leg split with contrast fabric, and finished off with frogs.

The fabric is the most stunning pink rayon covered in white and teal philodendrons, I found it in a hawaiian fabric shop earlier this year. I think it could be a Sunsurf or Tori Birch end roll.

So how was it? One of the easiest things I’ve ever made, and took 3 metres of 150cm wide fabric.  I cannot wait to make more!

Mods:

• Changed shoulders to set in sleeve
• Moved zip to side
• Lowered bust darts
• Removed one front dart totally and moved excess to side seam and other dart
• Made a slash neck and facing

Outfit:

• Pake Muu – me!
• 1950s Bamboo Handbag – Southern Antiques Centre
• Tiki Shoes – Lucky Lou Souvenir
• Hairflower – Shazam Vintage Hairflowers