StyleArc: Tiffany Blouse (Tiffany Blouse) - Type:Tops
Review submitted in Fitted Blouse 2013 Contest  | | Viewed 809 times
| 3 more reviews | Review rated Very Helpful by 20 people | | Reviewed by: | clothingengineer | 
 | About clothingengineer | | CT USA | | Member since: 5/7/10 | | Reviews written: 130 | | Sewing skills:Intermediate | | Favored by: 51 people | | patterns reviewed: 121 | | Bio: more... |
| | Posted on: | 2/24/13 9:01 PM | | Last Updated: | 3/30/13 11:51 AM | | Pattern Size: | Plus-Sized Regular | | Project Photo: |  | | Pattern Photo: | 
StyleArc Pattern Info | | Pattern Rating: | Great Wardrobe Builder | | | | Fabric: | Silk Twill [See other projects in this fabric] | | Related Links | Click on  to add a link |
| UPDATE: I made a few tweaks to my original version, shortening the hem so it can be worn without tucking and narrowing the shoulders. I would like to note that when you wear it untucked the front does tend to drag down a little bit due to the weight of the bow.
Front
Back
Side
My original silk charmeuse version can be viewed here
Pattern Description: Use a soft fabric to create this pretty pussy bow blouse - great under jacket for week or over trousers for a more casual look.
The finished measurements for size 8 are approx:
37" bust
33" waist
39.25" hip
14.5" back waist length
13.75" bicep width
24" back of neck to hem
Pattern Sizing:6-20. I made a size 8.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes.
Were the instructions easy to follow? I only glanced at them for how to do the collar. I still managed to fumble up the collar/front band because I didn't quite understand how the notches should have matched up (this is where Marfy's lettering system comes in handy). The collar attaches in the middle of the tab, not at the intersection. So in order to avoid ripping out the collar I ended up slipstitching it in place to the front placket. Due to the bow this hand stitching is completely hidden.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love how this top has a deep neckline. It seems like most pussybow blouses have really high necklines. I also liked the gathers instead of pleats above the cuff. It is more semi-fitted than fitted but since it is specifically for very soft and drapy fabrics I thought this was a good call on StyleArc's part.
The collar and ties are cut on the bias. It made sense for the ties, but when I attached the collar to the neck it stretched out horribly. I put my seam ripper to work on the collar, and recut the collar on the straight grain. I didn't have enough fabric to cut it as one piece so I added a seam to the back. I then interfaced it with Pro-Sheer and carefully eased in my horribly stretched out neckline to this interfaced collar. There's still a little bit of rippling in the upper chest but at least it doesn't hang down almost below my bra!
Fabric Used: Fuchsia version: silk twill that's been sitting around in my stash for a little over a year now (Fabric Mart)
Original version: Silk charmeuse (a September 2011 purchase from Fabric Mart). I used Pro-Sheer from Fashion Sewing Supply for the collar, cuffs, sleeve placket, and front placket. I would say the fabric requirement of 2.5 yards of 45" fabric was very accurate.
I cut out my pieces using a rotary cutter and used my machine's walking foot attachment for almost the whole project, and it made working with the silk charmeuse a LOT easier.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:I used the placket from Shirtmaking instead of the included placket.
For fit:
- Lengthened waist 2"
- Lengthened sleeves 1"
- Added 2" width to hip
- 1/4" sloped shoulder alteration
- Added 1/2" width to bicep/elbows
- 1/4" broad back adjustment
- Pinched out 1/4" from the upper part of the princess seam, right above the fullest part of the bust, as I am a little shallow above the bust
- Extended the back shoulder seam outward 1/2", easing it into the front shoulder seam, to accommodate my prominent shoulder blades. I could have also done a dart but I wanted something more subtle
Next time I will do a 1/2" narrow shoulder alteration. My shoulder-to-shoulder breadth is 13.5" and size 8 is 14.5". I thought from flat pattern measurement that I could get away without doing it but it turns out I needed it after all.
For my silk twill version I did a 1/2" narrow shoulder alteration and removed 2.5" from the length.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, this will probably be a TNT for my silk charmeuse stash.
Conclusion: This a great blouse if you don't like the high necklines of most pussybow blouses. It is perfect for silks.
Blog entry about the silk twill version |
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 Pattern with more than 5 reviews!
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19 Comments
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very pretty!
2/24/13 9:37 PM
Lovely. Thank you for the helpful review particularly details on the collar
2/24/13 10:36 PM
Lovely blouse. Thanks for the VH review.
2/24/13 11:39 PM
Really nice blouse and great fit. Thanks for the review
2/25/13 0:57 AM
Pretty blouse.
2/25/13 5:26 AM
Very pretty blouse :)
2/25/13 10:49 AM
Lovely blouse! Thank you for all the information about fit and ease and the heads up about the bias collar.
2/25/13 11:02 AM
Just beautiful!
2/25/13 11:48 AM
Love it. Thank you for including the actual measurements, are they included on the pattern like Big 4? Very informative, and a very lovely blouse.
2/25/13 1:00 PM
The measurements are not included on the pattern pieces or envelope. Sometimes the StyleArc website lists them for size 10, but this one didn't have them. I just measured the pattern.
2/25/13 3:43 PM
Beautiful blouse and not the easiest fabric to work with
3/30/13 12:27 PM
Both versions are very pretty. I love the pink color.
3/30/13 5:17 PM
Your new blouse looks really good, and love the color!
3/30/13 5:37 PM
Beautiful work
3/30/13 6:57 PM
Great fit. Gorgeous colour. Very on trend too.
3/30/13 10:01 PM
Beautiful! Job well done!
3/30/13 11:35 PM
Nice blouse, i love the colour
3/31/13 3:38 AM
Wow, you got a really good fit, and in a fabric that would really show up any fit problems. Very sleek.
3/31/13 4:27 AM
Absolutely gorgeous, great style, great fit, great colour, great fabric, great review
3/31/13 6:01 AM