Papercut Patterns Nexus Blouse

This is easy to make and a really versatile pattern. I made it in a juicy viscose print that drapes really well giving the bishop sleeve soft volume.

It has a loose fit with dropped shoulder. There are 2 hem lengths, the longer one with side slits and shaped hem works well softly tucked in at the front or hanging loose to cover my hips. I’m really tempted to make the cropped version as well.

The slightly wide neckline means you can wear it buttoned down the front or back. The big sleeves can be gathered into a cuff or worn as a bell sleeve. I really should have shortened my sleeves.....

My only negative is I had to overlap the cuff a long way to stop my hands disappearing up the sleeve! I know I made it too long, but I’d still want the blouson effect and really the sleeve seam should be shorter to hold the cuff in the correct place.... but then the sleeve wouldn’t be the right shape for the bell sleeved version. So I guess this is a compromise.

Ive blogged about how I clean finished the facings and how I’ve used a really neat way to sew French seams above a side slit. https://www.sew-it.biz/blog

I’ve made 2 versions of this blouse. First was the longer one with the cuff sleeves , buttons at the front, from a light weight viscose.
It’s a nice blouse and the sleeves have a nice swish.
I had to raise the neckline and although looks fine when standing it’s still too low.
For the second version ( pink) I used double gauze and 2 back pieces. Top is reversible anyway and I liked the round neck better ( but having the buttons at the back, on me it looked like I was wearing my top backwards)

it was also the cropped version and a used visible bias banding at the neck and 3 covered buttons at the side.
this feels much better. I wore it today over a sleeveless dress when it got cool. Works well.

With its billowing statement sleeves and relaxed fit, this pattern caught my eye as I saw more and more versions pop up on Instagram. Although I fell in love with lots of the bell sleeved versions, I know that's not going to be practical for me with a baby at home, and so I went with the equally fab statement sleeve with huge cuff.

Other than a quick toile of the Sapporo coat, this was my first experience of sewing with Papercut Patterns. I love their packaging with recycled paper, and cutting out the pattern instructions to create a little booklet. The instructions are really easy to follow, and it was a nice sew – not super simple but not too challenging either.

I made a mistake when choosing my size. I picked the size based on my bust measurement, when really what I should have done is based it on my high bust measurement because I have a 4inch difference between the two (my current measurements are on my Instagram page). I was so ready to go with the fabric that I didn’t toile and really should have done. After trying the blouse on I was a bit disappointed, as it gapes, but once I tried a few different hairstyles I decided I really liked it. It does gape if I lean forward, but it’s not been a problem with lockdown!

One of my favourite features is the huge wrist cuff. I’d seen a few versions with big statement buttons which I love. I wasn’t sure that I needed a contrast button, or a design on it, so opted for quite large buttons that really pop against the bright yellow print.

The fabric is a Kokka that I got in a sale at such a low price it was basically robbery. It's gorgeous.

There's a full write up and loads more photos, including me trying to decide if I like it, on my Blog post

This is super pattern and it's in my TNT list forever now !
I made this in size 6 originally but it was a bit on the big side for me - so I unpicked and recut to a size 5.  It took me a few days to work myself up to doing this.  But I wore it to work as a size 6 - my work is a safe place to 'try out' new makes - and I loved the fabric and the design but there was just too much of it!  So I quiet evening spent unpicking overlocking and recutting + an extra half meter of fabric enabled me to remake a size smaller and I'm SO GLAD I did.

I just love this blouse.  As they say the devil is in the detail but in this case I think it's the angel in the detail.  The puffed sleeves and long cuffs with covered buttons give it an elegant feel to wear and very feminine.

I made the longer version with the asymmetric hem front and back and full length sleeves.

The make was straightforward.  I was worried the cuffs would cause me some bother but the instructions and the pattern had it completely covered and with slow and steady progress they went together with no problems at all.

To make the curved hems even I ran around the hem with a large straight stitch at 5/8 from the bottom edge of the blousse and then overlocked to finish and used the stitching line as my guide for pressing and turning the hem.  It worked a treat.

I used Autumn Meadow Twill from the Sewing Cafe in Hinckley - a lovely drapey viscose twill - super for the twirlyness of the sleeves and the drape and shape of the body part of the blouse.

So final version made in size 5 - My measurements are B:98 W:80 H:108

This is super pattern and it's in my TNT list forever now !
I made this in size 6 originally but it was a bit on the big side for me - so I unpicked and recut to a size 5.  It took me a few days to work myself up to doing this.  But I wore it to work as a size 6 - my work is a safe place to 'try out' new makes - and I loved the fabric and the design but there was just too much of it!  So I quiet evening spent unpicking overlocking and recutting + an extra half meter of fabric enabled me to remake a size smaller and I'm SO GLAD I did.

I just love this blouse.  As they say the devil is in the detail but in this case I think it's the angel in the detail.  The puffed sleeves and long cuffs with covered buttons give it an elegant feel to wear and very feminine.

I made the longer version with the asymmetric hem front and back and full length sleeves.

The make was straightforward.  I was worried the cuffs would cause me some bother but the instructions and the pattern had it completely covered and with slow and steady progress they went together with no problems at all.

To make the curved hems even I ran around the hem with a large straight stitch at 5/8 from the bottom edge of the blousse and then overlocked to finish and used the stitching line as my guide for pressing and turning the hem.  It worked a treat.

I used Autumn Meadow Twill from the Sewing Cafe in Hinckley - a lovely drapey viscose twill - super for the twirlyness of the sleeves and the drape and shape of the body part of the blouse.

So final version made in size 5 - My measurements are B:98 W:80 H:108