Fab design, sparse instructions

This is a boxy, short length blouse with options for a frilled collar (with a stand), a frill covering the front button band, and three-quarter sleeves with long ties at the cuffs. I made mine in viscose, which worked very well, but it can also be made in more structured fabrics such as cotton or linen and in warmer fabrics like flannel, or even lightweight corduroy.

The pattern is available through the Fibre Mood magazine, or as an individual pdf. The pdf is layered or you can have the multi-size pattern printed. Seam allowances need to be added to the magazine version, but the individual sized layered printing comes with seam allowances printed on. The multi-size pattern has seam allowances included but not printed on. The reason I’m pointing this out is because the instructions with multi-size pdf make no mention of the seam allowance, which I had to research to find out is 1 cm.

If you make all the frills it’s quite an involved make, just because of the number of steps, and care needs to be taken to get the gathers even round the collar. There’s nothing more tricky than that, however, and the pattern is well cut and comes together well. I found the set-in sleeves went in easily, as did the collar and stand once assembled with the frill.

I made a straight UK size 12 with no modifications and felt it was true to size. The length finishes at my high hip (I’m 5’ 4”) so if you’re much taller or want a longer blouse, check the length before cutting.

The instructions are sparse and assume a fair amount of knowledge. There are line drawings but I thought these lacked clarity in places. Because of that, for anyone who hasn’t made a blouse before, this isn’t a good pattern to start with. Nevertheless, it’s a lovely design and I enjoyed making it. The variety of woven fabrics which can be used means I’ll definitely make more.