A couple of weeks ago, when the temperature an unseasonal 80 degrees, I had the urgent desire to sew clothes. Right then. I listened to my inner voice and did it. This blouse is the result.
The pattern is the Painted Portrait Dress and Blouse by Anna Maria Horner. I have used this pattern before when I was at Weekend Sewing with Heather Ross last October. Anna had just released it at the time and I decided to make the dress version with sleeves. The entire thing got sewn that weekend, but I haven't blogged about it because I am *still* embellishing the yoke with embroidery. (And also, as I look at that photo, I think I'm going to have to change the pockets, too.) I LOVED sewing that dress – it didn't hurt that Anna was there to help me fit it properly. Sewing this blouse was just as fun, but faster – no sleeves, no pockets, shorter length. I cut it out one afternoon and sewed it up the next day.
The Little Folks dobby dots came from my stash. (LOVE using my stash!) It is a great choice for this because it is light-weight and drapes beautifully. Voile would be great (that's what I made the dress out of) as would a cotton lawn. Quilting cotton would be crisper, but I think would still work. Anyhow, I did some fussy cutting for the front and back yokes. I especially like how the back one looks and Fatty gets credit for suggesting that the square be split with the borders in the middle. Smart man.
In New York, I was able to try on a sample in size medium. It fit me pretty well in the torso, but was a smidge small in the bust. To compensate, I made the size large and took it in on the back princess seams. That's what Anna suggested and that is what I did on the dress. For this blouse, I took the dress and copied the sewing lines of my back seams onto the blouse and sewed accordingly. It worked pretty well.
It's a well-written pattern and a fairly fast sew, especially the second time around. I especially love how the armholes and hem are done with bias tape. That is not to say that I didn't make any mistakes. Boy, did I ever. A little mishap with the serger at the very end (can you say a HOLE in the blouse?!?) left me scrambling to cover my tracks. I was able to fix it well enough that I think I'm the only one who can see it, but the fit is a little off. No big loss, but I definitely won't be serging the seams after they are sewn the next time around.
I'm plotting the next version. I think it'll be a sleeveless dress for summer, probably with a patchwork yoke. I'll keep you posted.
Have a great weekend!
it looks great on you! if my boobs weren’t so enormous right now, i’d be tempted to rush out and make one for myself 🙂
love it on you! also, you should wear that shade of blue all the time. it looks terrific on you. xo, r
this is so great!!
SO awesome. i’ve been itching to make myself something new to wear, but somehow it just hasn’t made it to the top of my to-do list….
cute, erin! I’m always hesitant to do anything empire because I’m not curvy- bosom, yes, but not waistline or hips so I end up looking dumpy, but the princess seams are really nice there!
That top is so great and I agree with Rach, the color is very nice on you.
That came out beautifully, and the fit is perfect! It looks fab on you!
If you don’t mind sharing–what size do you normally wear in tops? I always have a hard time figuring out my size from measurements. I’m a 12/L with a c-cup bust. So maybe the LG? I LOVE this top! And your version is amazing. Love that blue!
Love, Love, Love this!
Beautifully done! I love the pattern when it was release but I haven’t bought it yet! I think your version may have pushed me toward purchasing it soon!
I love it. Perfect for spring & I’ve done the exact same thing with my serger at the very end of a project. French seams next time?
LOVE.
Wow, I’m so in love with this! You’ve filled me with longing to sew for myself again. I love the combination of the hankie print and the dobby. It’s such a sweet shape with the yoke and I love how the back yoke extends to the small of the back, so flattering. I’ll have to take a look at AMH’s pattern.
It is so cute and looks great on you!!
I think I must get this pattern : )
Hi Keri – I'm normally a L or 10/12. The key with the fit of this blouse/dress is that the bottom of the front yoke should be at the fullest part of the bust. I'd suggest doing a muslin first if you decide to make it. Just sewing the front and back yokes together with seam allowances pressed under was enough to let me know that the large was the way to go. Good luck! – Erin
So cute!…and, more importantly, so cute on you!
What a great blouse! You are really talented 🙂
What a pretty blouse! I love the back especially.
It’s beautifully bright and cheery!
Love. It looks great!
Erin, this is soooo pretty and so inspiring too!
This is so beautiful! Just lovely.
Erin its soooo cute! The colors in that fabric are my favorites and it could’t fit better.
LOVE all that color! Super cute! ~ barefoot mama
Thank you!!! That helps a ton! And I know you’re right about the muslin, and I say I’m going to do that every time, but then I get impatient. lol Luckily my sewing skills can usually handle any adjustments I need to make.
it’s so so pretty! love the springy colors, and the fit is amazing on you. 🙂
So pretty!
Gorgeous!
Looks ‘a la Anthropologie’, and take that as a compliment. Love that designer-ish top section!
Just came across your lovely blog. This top is beautiful!