Pattern Description: VikiSews Jenna is a loose fitting blouse with a straight silhouette. It features bust darts, a double back yoke which extends to the front by 2cm, a notched collar with a stand, and a dropped shoulder with long set-in sleeves. The sleeves feature a cuff with a button and buttonhole, three pleats, and a bias bound slit. Jenna fastens with a center front button placket.

Pattern Sizing: 34-52. I made the size 36.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, pretty much identical.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes. VikiSews instructions are super detailed. I didn't have any issues with this one.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

Likes: The pattern is really well-drafted and includes marked seam allowances and lines/markings for showing certain places like biceps and bust point, which makes it very easy to make adjustments.

Dislikes: I can't really think of any dislikes.

Fabric Used: Minerva Core Range Luxury Viscose Satin Fabric in wine. I used 2 meters. The fabric was tricky to work with but I knew going into the project that it would be. I starched the fabric quite heavily with Best Press before cutting out my fabric and that helped to stabilize it. It also wanted to fray a lot, so it would have been helpful to serge all of the raw edges before sewing. The fabric wrinkles like crazy but that is just part of wearing a shiny satin. It feels really high quality on the skin. It's not a fabric that I have the patience to sew every day but it's really nice for special pieces.

Changes/alterations: I had to make my usual VikiSews adjustments--moving the dart down 1.25", adding .5" to the upper back, and shortening the sleeves 3" but those changes are specific to my body.

Construction-wise, I did not do the french seams because I personally dislike doing french seams with a 3/8" seam allowance. I also handstitched the collar/facing/cuffs instead of stitching in the ditch for a cleaner look on the inside.

Finally, I think I missed something in the instructions and probably did the bias bound sleeve vent wrong because my sleeves did not fit into the cuffs and I had to fudge the pleats to get them to fit. It worked out ok in the end though.

Would you sew it again? I really like this shirt but I don't know that I need more than one. The style is a bit fancier than I usually wear in everyday life so I think this one is enough.

Conclusion: A beautiful blouse out of a gorgeous silky fabric. I absolutely love the color and I'm looking forward to integrating it into my closet!

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