‘See me coming’ orange blouse

Did you have some great weather over the Easter weekend? Well here in the UK anyway, as we pull ourselves out of the grey. Doesn’t it lift the spirits to have to take off a layer or two and put on a bright print top?

Friday was wet and cloudy, however, giving me plenty of opportunity to run up this ‘see me coming’ orange blouse.

Since making clothes for myself I feel I have been far more adventurous in my choice of fabric than I ever was in buying ready to wear. Why is that, do you think?
This is the Sutton Blouse, a pattern I downloaded from the designer, True Bias, online shop.

As described on the website, ‘The Sutton Blouse is a loose fitting V-neck top with kimono sleeves, a one piece yoke, and a back inverted pleat. The back is longer than the front and includes slits at both of the lower side seams’.

The fabric is a John Kaldor Peaseblossom crepe that I happened across looking at indie patterns on the Sewbox website, of which they appear to stock the lot.

Did you spot the spelling mistake on the selvedge edge?
I’ve never worked with crepe before. Apart from being extra careful when cutting out, keeping it flat and making sure it was not being pulled in any direction it was great to work with. I did learn, however, to use my walking foot for the long side seams. Using the traditional presser foot, one side of the seam came out a little puckered; not good when you have a seam straight down the centre of the front, but a quick un-pick and the use of my walking foot combated that problem.
Back to the pattern; it was faultless. Almost every seam was french seamed but the instructions (as I’ve come to find with independent designer patterns) made it a pleasure to sew up knowing that every execution was leading me nearer to an ‘almost’ perfect garment.

These are taken of the inside!

The little details make this a blouse I shall sew up again and again.

With the top being fairly loose fitting, I did not make up a toile (that was a first!) but checked the fabric pieces against another top in my wardrobe.
And voila! A VERY wearable modern, clean top.

I would heartily recommend this John Kaldor dress fabric. I can see why I have come across it time and time again in the dresses of other bloggers.
This pattern would work up great in a plain crepe. My makes thus far have all been in prints. I find it covers a multitude of imperfect stitching!

Love, Lucie x