Easy Summer Blouse

This has become a favorite pattern this summer. It fits nicely and is very comfortable to wear. It doesn't take much fabric and is pretty quick to cut out and sew up. For a size 12 I purchased 1 1/2 yards of 44" wide fabric and I made the blouse style in the photo, view C. Two different methods of laying out the pattern on the fabric made it possible to use less fabric than called for. I used a size 12 so it might not work on other sizes. Size 12 required 1 3/4 yards of 44-45 inch fabric. When I laid out my pattern I pinned the front facing to the bodice front so I could cut it all out in one piece. To do this , measure and mark the 5/8 inch seam allowance on the facing as well as the bodice where the two are sewn together. Then pin the pieces together at the 5/8 inch mark, laying one right on top of the other. Sometimes I just tape them together as I like to make my front facings this way. This should give you one pattern piece for the front. If you want to make a copy of this piece just trace around the pieces and put in the pattern markings. That way you won't have to have the pinning and taping to deal with.

The other method I used was to cut out the front first. Then I opened the remaining fabric and folded over enough to just cut out the back on the fold. What was left I used to cut out the sleeves and collar. If you are using a one-way design you will have to cut out each sleeve separately, making sure all pieces go the same way. Otherwise just fold the remaining fabric in half crosswise and lay out the sleeves and collar.

I am just catching up on some summer sewing and am realizing the fall season will be here in two and a half weeks. This pattern has longer sleeves and I have some fall fabrics I want to use for cooler weather wear.

Sew for now........ Happy Sewing!