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In my office at work.
This is a finished object that has been hanging in my closet for quite a few months now (since the summer). Sorry it has taken me so long to get some decent pictures of it. This blouse is the Belle Bow Blouse by In House Patterns, an indie pattern company that was new to me until I came across their downloadable offerings on Pattern Review. The blouse features a neck tie, button front, waist tucks in front and back for shaping, and gathers at the shoulder yoke with sleeveless dropped shoulders.
I must say I am very impressed with In House Patterns so far. This pattern was very well-drafted, the instructions are excellent and create a very clean, professional finish, and the seam allowances are already reduced to keep you from having to trim everything. To top it all off, these patterns are drafted for a D-cup so I didn’t have to spend time doing a full bust adjustment (FBA).
I can tell you from personal experience that the top fits very true to the size chart without excess ease. I was one size bigger in the hips than the waist and bust but I thought it wouldn’t be a big deal so I didn’t grade up. Mistake — I ended up having to let my tucks out a little bit to accommodate my hips. Next time I will know to go ahead and grade out at the side seams.
I made the shirt from a cheap polyester that I picked up at the Vogue Fabrics booth at the Sewing Expo in Atlanta last year. It took right at 1.5 yards. It gets staticky like crazy. I used tricot fusible for the button placket. I used the buttons I picked up in England for the closures.
Shirt: Made by Me!
Cardigan: Talbots
Jeans: AG
Shoes: Via Spiga
Necklace: Kluster on Etsy
When I wore it to work this week, I layered my favorite ivory cardigan over it. This shirt also looks great tucked into a pencil skirt. The pattern includes a collared version without the tie and I am thinking about making that one up next…
I love how it just skims the hips. The tucks are so easy to sew and are also great for alterations when you ignore the size chart 🙂
A view of the inside.
As far as the finishes called for, the facing edges are serged. The front bodice/yoke seam is clean finished so no exposed edges show. The back yoke seam is finished with the serger. The side seam edges call for a serged finish. The sleeves and bottom have a narrow machine hem.
Front yoke seam — inside view.
All in all, I can’t recommend this pattern enough. If you haven’t seen In House Patterns before, go check them out. And if you’re concerned because you aren’t a D bust cup, Alexandra has a lot of great information on her website about how to alter her patterns for larger and smaller sizes. I am looking forward to new patterns from this great designer!
Susie Homemaker, MD 