As mentioned in my January sewing report, I’ve been working with Sense and Sensibility’s Romantic Blouse pattern (second on page if you follow link). I have needed a new dressy blouse for some time, and had purchased ivory cotton-silk poplin from fabric.com in December. It took me awhile to choose a pattern though; I studied my collection of Ottobre but nothing appealed. Finally, the Romantic Blouse caught my eye when I was ordering the Regency Dress patterns for our Easter dresses.
I am usually a bit lazy about sewing muslins, but I’m glad I decided to make a wearable muslin this time. I looked at the sizing chart but instead chose the size extra small based on comparing the pattern measurements with a blouse in my closet. That fits well, although after a couple wearings I’ve made a note to lengthen the body an inch or two next time so that it will stay tucked into my skirt better.
I had a bit of an adventure with my test blouse (which is a cotton-lycra poplin, also from fabric.com). It started with significant printing flaws on one side of the fabric, going as far in as 10-12″ from the selvage. I finally got all my pieces to fit but it was a good thing that I wanted 3/4 sleeves. I arbitrarily decided to shorten the long sleeve rather than lengthen the short sleeve. However, the long sleeve has a very high gathered cap which looked all wrong in my casual fabric. Out came the sleeve, and I recut it using the short sleeve pattern. Between the initial fabric shortage and recutting the sleeves, they really ended up too short for 3/4, and I will probably make them short sleeves the next time I have white thread in my sewing machine. Other than that, I am pleased with my blouse.
I was nervous about starting my good blouse, as even with coupons the fabric had cost more than I usually spend. I also had had some issues with puckers when sewing the collar on my test blouse, and spent some time working that over in my mind. Finally, after taking some measurements, I added additional seam allowance at the center back on the collar extension pieces. That helped, but it still lays a bit odd where the shoulder and collar seams meet. I also added a lightweight cotton underlining to the front facings and cuffs.
Please excuse my tired face; this picture was taken after Twirly Girl’s tea party guests had gone home! The puffed sleeves work much better in the softer, dressier fabric. I also really like the waist darts on this pattern: they are inverted pleats, topstitched in place.
Did someone say “tea party”? Aunt Janet sent me several family aprons last year, and I decided to wear this sheer blue apron that belonged to Grandma for the occasion.
pretty blouse! very girly.