13-March-13 RELOADED LINKS TO PHOTOS: I hope they work now - sorry for the problems!
Pattern Description: Dolman-sleeved, v-neck blouse with cuffs at the sleeve hem. Very loose fitting through waist and tight at the hip. Self bias strip is used to bind or face the neckline edge. Burda Magazine photo
I'm stuck on the rating: It's very easy to sew per se, but in the fabrics that I envision, it will never be easy going.
Pattern Sizing:34-36-38-40-42-44. I cut size 42 (correct size per my measurements), tapering to 44 from waist to hem.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? pretty much yes, especially being a similar color to the magazine version, except for my changes.
Front view with arms akimbo, arms down, side, and back views.
Were the instructions easy to follow? There's not much to follow with just two pattern pieces plus a binding and cuffs. I read them, decoded them, and then did what I wanted. (Short answer: Not too easy to follow.)
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? for this challenging fabric, I looked for a top with few seams and fewer details, with a decadently slouchy aura. It is to be worn with my leather skirt and other very fitted skirts.
Fabric Used: heavy charmeuse, silk with cotton, purchased locally to line a wool skirt. There was just enough in the remaining length to squeeze out this blouse.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: due to limited fabric:
* cut on crosswise fold, in one piece by aligning the front and back at the neckline shoulder point and placing the center front/back along the same fold. This makes the over arm seam into a long dart.
* sleeve length was shortened as my remnant was a tad short. The length of the cuffs was increased to compensate.
* the bodice length was also cut short, due to fabric limitation. A hem band was added to make it long enough to stay tucked in. Now it's a bit too long since the hem is very tight at the hip (by design). For now, I am wearing it with the hem band turned back up toward the bust and later I might alter it permanently.
* the cuffs and hem band were faced with a different silk/cotton woven because there wasn't enough of the satin. Topstitching was left off.
* the girths of the cuffs and hem band were all smaller than the lengths of corresponding seams on the body of the top. On the sleeve cuff, an inverted box pleat was formed at the overarm seam point. On the hem band, a simple pleat was made at right side front, around the point where the zipper sits in the leather skirt.
* I attached the neckline binding in a different and easier way, after I steam/stretched it to make it easier to handle.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? one is enough for me, of a style that isn't typically mine. I recommend it in drape-y, luxurious fabrics, that will increase the difficulty significantly. Balance the blousiness with a fitted skirt. Also be aware that the neckline is both low and wide, although it does stay well in place. By all means wear flattering undergarments to give a nice shape and to avoid straying into potato sack territory.
Conclusion: This blouse is exactly what I wanted to pair with my leather skirt. I chose midnight blue to complement the black of the skirt and I'm very happy with the contrast of the heavy charmeuse against the leather. The cuffs corral the volume of the sleeves so that you can even host the party while wearing this top. How soon can I wear it again: is 3 days enough of a gap? |
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Pattern with more than 5 reviews!
The links to your photos on Picasa don't work. Maybe your permissions settings need to be changed.
3/11/13 7:07 AM
I reset the picasa files so I hope they are now accessible. Sorry about that!
3/11/13 11:43 AM
no photos
3/11/13 12:09 PM
Still can't see the photos!
3/11/13 12:40 PM
Can't wait to see the photos!
3/11/13 10:14 PM
The Picasa pics still aren't accessible.
3/12/13 1:00 AM
Very nice! It does look lovely with your skirt. Thanks for a thorough review.
3/13/13 9:09 AM
Beautiful top! Goes very well with your leather skirt.
3/13/13 9:53 AM
What a gorgeous top! Glad you fixed the pics so we can have a look. I had ogled this'pattern'when it first came out, but balked at the prospect of having to deal with finishing the v neck. Maybe I should look at it again.
3/13/13 3:44 PM
Great-looking top! I love your choice of fabric and the pairing with your fitted skirt. I've had this pattern marked with a post-it for years now; thanks for the review.
3/14/13 10:18 AM