Anna Allen Anthea Blouse and Dress

I bought this pattern in early 2021 and it’s still my favourite top to make. Big sleeves are still in guys and this pattern is still really popular. I made it in railroad denim with a red stripe and in soft cotton fabrics as well, I hacked it into a top without the button closure, I have not made the dress version yet. Also it would be really easy to hack into *the* Ganni shirt by adding ties, straightening up the hem at whatever length you like and also adding a peplum.

The Anthea blouse was one of those patterns that everybody seemed to be making, and as I love a big sleeve, and a shirt, I decided to give it a try too. I had this fab spotty cotton fabric in my stash and decided they'd be the perfect pairing for a pretty 'extra' make.

I usually need an FBA, but there's lots of ease in this so I tried without, and think I just about got away with it! I made a straight size 12 based on my measurements and am happy with it, which is always nice.

The instructions on the pattern are very clear, and it comes together really quickly. Definitely one for a confident beginner and above. I may have made more already ? I've written more details, with photos, on my blog: http://sewslowsarah.com/2022/10/08/anna-allen-anthea-blouse/

I was so excited to receive my Anthea Blouse pattern in the A0 print shop format. I'm not a fan of pdf but can see it's many benefits. I'm an old fashioned sole so pattern patterns for me all the way - however, I'll be making this beautiful blouse so many times I'm glad I've got the pdf as back up!

Prompt and efficient delivery from The Foldline with their extra touches, postcard for notes and A4 envelope for the safe storage of the pattern.

The pattern was clear and straightforward to follow.  I used a cotton lawn for my make, downsized by one size for a closer body fit and just wow on those sleeves.

I've had so many compliments on this blouse which gives me confidence while wearing it.

This will not be my last Anthea. She's a favourite in my wardrobe ?

Go on give it a try - you won't be disappointed.

Sometimes a pattern comes along that changes everything… enter a me-made wardrobe full of garments with puff sleeves!

The pattern itself is straightforward to sew and has a really nice finish inside. The neckline and button placket are finished with bias binding (you have a pattern piece to make it or you can use pre-made), I found it a great opportunity to use a contrast binding so it looks really pretty on the inside.

It’s a relaxed fit, so if you prefer a tighter fit you may want to size down. I find its really nice to have the ease to tuck into jeans. These sleeves are a thing of beauty, you really do have to make it to see what the fuss is all about! I cannot (and will not) stop making this pattern! I’ve made a couple of the blouse in linen and cotton (the main image is shirting cotton). I’ve made the dress in a lightweight denim with pearl  snaps instead of buttons and I’ve also hacked this into a dress with a square neckline (using the Friday Pattern Company Square Neck Top neckline with mods). I love them all and can definitely see more Anthea’s in my sewing future. It’s definitely a pattern that gives me a lot of joy to sew!

The design of this blouse is gorgeous; a simple loosely fitted bodice provides a perfect foil for statement sleeves. The high neckline is finished with bias binding. There is a single  back piece and two front sections, with a self-placket and button fastening. The large pouffy sleeves are gathered at the sleeve head and finish just below the elbow, where they are gathered into bias binding. The hem is curved front and back. I made mine in linen, which worked really well. Ideally you need a fabric that has some drape but also enough structure to show off the sleeve shape.

The pattern isn’t one with significant options but you can make a dress version, which is a simple extension of the blouse, with a self-tie belt and sleeves finishing just above the elbow.

The instructions are clear and easy to follow. I made the size 8, although my measurements would have put me at a 10. The finished garment measurements show that the pattern has generous amounts of ease. I have quite broad shoulders and was a bit concerned that sizing down might mean the shoulders were too narrow, but in fact the smaller size was ideal.

I rated the pattern as 4 stars, because although I love the design and am very pleased with the outcome, I felt there was a small downside to the construction. The seam allowance is 4/8” in most places rather than the standard 5/8”. For the bias binding sections the seam allowance is 3/8”. In practice this means that the sleeve head has to be gathered within 4/8” while the bottom of the sleeve is gathered within 3/8”, which didn’t really make much sense. Also the 4/8” seam allowance doesn’t leave much scope for a French seam, which would a nice finish for example when using sheer fabric. I also thought that the instruction to do a double fold hem at the end after constructing the front plackets wouldn’t produce a neat finish, so I followed the more usual method of seaming the bottom of the plackets before topstitching them, to get sharp corners at the front edges.

Overall though this is a lovely design, justifiably popular,  and I will certainly make more.