Blusa con volante

They'll have to lock away my credit card, now that I know that Crafty Mamas sells individual copies of foreign sewing mags.  I would never sew enough to justify a subscription to any of these magazines, but it is fun to pick up one now and then.  I bought Patrones Joven extra No. 5 and a couple of knip modes.

I'm really a bit busy at the moment, but I was so inspired when they arrived that I wanted to dive straight in and test them out.  I picked a really easy pattern to start.

A sleeveless tank top, with a low scoop neckline adorned with a ruffle.

The back has cut-away armholes...oops, I'll have to match it with my racer-back bra.

There are no closures.  The front dart has been transferred to gathers at the neckline.

A copy of my pattern review:

Pattern Sizing:  I used the size charts to select a size 40, grading out to a 44 in the waist and hips.  I didn't make a muslin, but I did compare the pattern to my sloper.  The sizing seemed true to size and worked out okay for me.

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?  Here is my google translation of the instructions.  Obviously, you need to apply your own interpretation to these.

Sew shoulder seams.
Gather a double pass at the neckline front from center to signal A and reduce to 6 cm
Gather another double pass from signal B to composure shoulder straps and also reduce to 6 cm
Finish neckline gathers holding by applying the bias tape, sewn and back.
Finish armholes the same by applying tape
Attach the two strips to form décolleté and finish ruffle on both sides of the strip with a finishing point, go through a double gather at the center of the strip, place this around the neckline and above the shoulder straps, tighten the gathers and sew a stitch above the furrowed center around the neckline.
Sew sides and hem.


What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?  I like the modern front neckline scoop and cut-away back armhole .

Fabric Used:  In a huge leap of the imagination, I chose the same fabric as the magazine; a Liberty cotton lawn, only in a different colour-way.  Liberty is lightweight and easy to sew, which allowed me to use narrow bias binding finishes and french seams.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:  I lengthened the top by about an inch.  Initially I made it longer, but then shortened it again.  I was worried about unnecessary show of midriff (not being a young, gorgeous model and all), but I don't think the extra length was necessary.  It probably looks short on the model because she is so tall.

I cut the frill on the bias so that I would not need to narrow-hem the edges of the frill.  This takes more fabric, but I also wanted to make self-fabric bindings on the bias.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  I nearly sewed it again straight away, but then stopped myself, in case there were other groovy patterns in the magazine that I should try instead.

Conclusion: A little summer top that should get plenty of wear.  I did try it tucked into a pencil skirt, it was not as flattering as a more fitted blouse when tucked into a skirt.