3 years ago
Pattern Description: JoliLab Agate Blouse. Here is Agate, a modern and refined blouse with nice gathered details, offering many variations. Agate requires a bit of work, but thanks to our video tutorial it remains accessible to motivated beginners (estimated level: 3/5).
Pattern Sizing: 34-48. I made a size 36.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes. I made the version with the shorter neck ruffle and the thin cuffs.
Were the instructions easy to follow? I found them relatively easy. Each step is listed in French first, then with English translation.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
Likes: You get a few different options with the cuffs and neckline. I love the sweet feminine details of the blouse—the style reminds me of Sezane—a shop that I absolutely adore.
Dislikes: On the sleeve pieces the pattern uses 1 notch for the back and 2 notches for the front—the reverse of what I am used to. Because of this I accidentally set in the sleeves backwards and didn’t notice until I went to try on the finished blouse. I had to rip out both sleeves and set them in correctly. Apparently the pattern pieces say back and front in French but I didn’t pick up on that until it was too late and there is no English translation on the actual pattern.
Fabric Used: I used a linen-look cotton that was very easy to sew and press. It’s a nice lightweight cotton that isn’t sheer. I would definitely look to use it again for blouses and shirts, and maybe even a shirt dress. The cobalt color I picked is absolutely stunning and is a trend for this spring and summer.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I did a 1.5” dartless SBA, shortened the body 1 inch, and shortened the sleeves 2.5” (they are now bracelet length). I did not make any design changes.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I may sew it again but in the future I would make a couple of changes. 1) I did the narrow neck ruffle but I am undecided whether I like it or not. It feels a bit circus clown to me. Next time I would probably do the version without the ruffle. I love the yoke ruffle detail though. 2) I don’t really like the button closure at the neck. it’s a little fiddly to do up. I might play next time with replacing the button with neck ties. 3) I like the narrow cuffs and I don’t need to undo the buttons to get them over my hands, but next time I might try the deeper cuff for a more wintry version.
Conclusion: This is such a pretty blouse and it was worth the extra effort due to the snafu with the sleeves in the end. I think it would be so fun to try a contrasting yoke and cuff in the future. Although it has a lot of details it’s really not that difficult to sew (as long as you set in the sleeves correctly the first time!)
#minervamakes #minervamakers #minervabrandambassador #sewnshownseated #jolilab #jolilabagate #agateblouse #springblouse #springtop #springsewing
Pattern Sizing: 34-48. I made a size 36.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes. I made the version with the shorter neck ruffle and the thin cuffs.
Were the instructions easy to follow? I found them relatively easy. Each step is listed in French first, then with English translation.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
Likes: You get a few different options with the cuffs and neckline. I love the sweet feminine details of the blouse—the style reminds me of Sezane—a shop that I absolutely adore.
Dislikes: On the sleeve pieces the pattern uses 1 notch for the back and 2 notches for the front—the reverse of what I am used to. Because of this I accidentally set in the sleeves backwards and didn’t notice until I went to try on the finished blouse. I had to rip out both sleeves and set them in correctly. Apparently the pattern pieces say back and front in French but I didn’t pick up on that until it was too late and there is no English translation on the actual pattern.
Fabric Used: I used a linen-look cotton that was very easy to sew and press. It’s a nice lightweight cotton that isn’t sheer. I would definitely look to use it again for blouses and shirts, and maybe even a shirt dress. The cobalt color I picked is absolutely stunning and is a trend for this spring and summer.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I did a 1.5” dartless SBA, shortened the body 1 inch, and shortened the sleeves 2.5” (they are now bracelet length). I did not make any design changes.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I may sew it again but in the future I would make a couple of changes. 1) I did the narrow neck ruffle but I am undecided whether I like it or not. It feels a bit circus clown to me. Next time I would probably do the version without the ruffle. I love the yoke ruffle detail though. 2) I don’t really like the button closure at the neck. it’s a little fiddly to do up. I might play next time with replacing the button with neck ties. 3) I like the narrow cuffs and I don’t need to undo the buttons to get them over my hands, but next time I might try the deeper cuff for a more wintry version.
Conclusion: This is such a pretty blouse and it was worth the extra effort due to the snafu with the sleeves in the end. I think it would be so fun to try a contrasting yoke and cuff in the future. Although it has a lot of details it’s really not that difficult to sew (as long as you set in the sleeves correctly the first time!)
#minervamakes #minervamakers #minervabrandambassador #sewnshownseated #jolilab #jolilabagate #agateblouse #springblouse #springtop #springsewing