6 years ago
Easy Tiger
Who doesn’t love a subtle tiger print?
In a soft and flowy viscose challis?
Now we are talking.
I knew as soon as I saw this fabric what I would make from it. I’d had the Fibre Mood Victoria pattern on my radar for some time. It’s a free pattern available to subscribers of the newsletter and I just love the styling. Not too flouncy, but just a bit of ruffle and gather and that adorable High neckline, which I love.
Years ago I had a cream cotton and lace blouse - from Next I think - it had a high neckline that fastened with buttons at the back and had short puffed sleeves. I loved that blouse and had been on the lookout for something with the same sort of vibe, but without too many ruffles. I know ruffles and gathers are on-trend right now, but I just can’t get on with them. This pattern has just the right amount. The high neck has a slightly ruffled edge and the front bodice is gathered into the front yoke and the centre front.
The fabric was perfect for this as it would be easy to wear, gather well and not be too stiff.
I decided that I would cut two of the yoke pieces and treat the blouse as I would a shirt and use the burrito method the enclose the seams. This worked very well and also provides additional stability on the upper bodice.
The sleeves have a bound slit rather than a traditional placket. I would normally just make a tower placket, but I didn’t think it would suit the style of the blouse and I decided to actually make the binding. I was surprised how well it came together - the instructions really helped here. In the past when I’ve tried this technique it has failed miserably. Not so on this blouse - it does work well.
I added a lightweight knit interfacing to support the collar piece and the cuff pieces. This lightweight fabric really does need this support. The instructions have you use snaps at the wrists and a hook and eye at the back neckline. I decided that I would prefer a button closure, so I bought 3 small back buttons and made rouleaux loops which I stitched into the end seams on the neck and cuffs. I think I prefer this to the suggested fastening.
I’ve sewn with viscose before and have found it shifty and tricky to keep straight. I was pleasantly surprised by this fabric. Despite it’s soft and fluid nature it behaved very well as it was cut out and sewn. It’s cool to touch and beautiful to wear against the skin. I have worn this blouse to work and it is very comfortable. It has a good length that can be worn tucked in our out and looks great dressed up or down. Planning to wear it with my Gold circle skirt in the next few weeks. I think it will look amazing.
I only have one complaint and this is about the pattern, not the fabric. The design is a loose-fitting top. I made a size 40, based on my measurements. The shoulders fit well and the collar was well-drafted. However I found that the sleeve head was too steep for this type of loose blouse - it needed to be more shirt style, with a flatter and wider sleeve head as the blouse pulls across the bicep and upper back. I’m not going to alter this one as it is wearable and the fabric makes it comfy - anything more structured might be uncomfortable. I have made changes to the sleeve for my next version. I think I’ll also shorten the back slit, It’s quite low and doesn’t need to be.
It’s modelled here by my lovely daughter. I think it quite suits her!
#minervamakers #easytiger #viscosechallis #tigerprint #victorianvibes #highnecktop #winterblouse #indiesewingpatterns #freesewingpatterns #fibremood #fibremoodvictoria #tigertop.
Who doesn’t love a subtle tiger print?
In a soft and flowy viscose challis?
Now we are talking.
I knew as soon as I saw this fabric what I would make from it. I’d had the Fibre Mood Victoria pattern on my radar for some time. It’s a free pattern available to subscribers of the newsletter and I just love the styling. Not too flouncy, but just a bit of ruffle and gather and that adorable High neckline, which I love.
Years ago I had a cream cotton and lace blouse - from Next I think - it had a high neckline that fastened with buttons at the back and had short puffed sleeves. I loved that blouse and had been on the lookout for something with the same sort of vibe, but without too many ruffles. I know ruffles and gathers are on-trend right now, but I just can’t get on with them. This pattern has just the right amount. The high neck has a slightly ruffled edge and the front bodice is gathered into the front yoke and the centre front.
The fabric was perfect for this as it would be easy to wear, gather well and not be too stiff.
I decided that I would cut two of the yoke pieces and treat the blouse as I would a shirt and use the burrito method the enclose the seams. This worked very well and also provides additional stability on the upper bodice.
The sleeves have a bound slit rather than a traditional placket. I would normally just make a tower placket, but I didn’t think it would suit the style of the blouse and I decided to actually make the binding. I was surprised how well it came together - the instructions really helped here. In the past when I’ve tried this technique it has failed miserably. Not so on this blouse - it does work well.
I added a lightweight knit interfacing to support the collar piece and the cuff pieces. This lightweight fabric really does need this support. The instructions have you use snaps at the wrists and a hook and eye at the back neckline. I decided that I would prefer a button closure, so I bought 3 small back buttons and made rouleaux loops which I stitched into the end seams on the neck and cuffs. I think I prefer this to the suggested fastening.
I’ve sewn with viscose before and have found it shifty and tricky to keep straight. I was pleasantly surprised by this fabric. Despite it’s soft and fluid nature it behaved very well as it was cut out and sewn. It’s cool to touch and beautiful to wear against the skin. I have worn this blouse to work and it is very comfortable. It has a good length that can be worn tucked in our out and looks great dressed up or down. Planning to wear it with my Gold circle skirt in the next few weeks. I think it will look amazing.
I only have one complaint and this is about the pattern, not the fabric. The design is a loose-fitting top. I made a size 40, based on my measurements. The shoulders fit well and the collar was well-drafted. However I found that the sleeve head was too steep for this type of loose blouse - it needed to be more shirt style, with a flatter and wider sleeve head as the blouse pulls across the bicep and upper back. I’m not going to alter this one as it is wearable and the fabric makes it comfy - anything more structured might be uncomfortable. I have made changes to the sleeve for my next version. I think I’ll also shorten the back slit, It’s quite low and doesn’t need to be.
It’s modelled here by my lovely daughter. I think it quite suits her!
#minervamakers #easytiger #viscosechallis #tigerprint #victorianvibes #highnecktop #winterblouse #indiesewingpatterns #freesewingpatterns #fibremood #fibremoodvictoria #tigertop.