Hot Patterns 1196 Metro Urban Gypsy Blouse

This was my second try with this pattern.  It was made with a poly/lycra crepe de chine from FabricMart.

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The following 3 photos are of Muslin #1 (navy linen from Fabric Mart, of course!) Here is what I learned from this tester:

1. look at the fabric closely, especially if it has been folded for several years +....there was a lighter than navy crease line where it was folded and no amount of washing, drying, vinegar spray, steaming could get it out.  I LOVED this fabric and had I noticed the crease, probably could have cut around it...maybe....at least could have tried.  MY BAD!

2.  The SA is 3/8"....which HAS to be serged.  It is very difficult to sew a 3/8" seam and them try to individually serge each side of the seam.  So if I am NOT going to just serge the seams, them I HAVE to serge each piece first before sewing a seam.  The side and underarm seams are the only seams that HAVE to be sewn on a SM.

 

3.  The sleeves have two seams....the underarm (sewn at same time as side seams) and there is a seam on top (unnecessary).  Because I don't like the way the instructions have one finish the sleeve tie edges (impossible for me, at least, to do a good job finishing them, and , as you can see, I cut them off)....I copied someone online's suggestion to draft a facing for the end of the sleeve and it's ties AND I made the two sleeve pattern pieces into one.  It worked perfectly!!  One less seam and no finicky finishing of the ties.

I. also, hand hemmed that facing to the sleeve, as it was hard to put on when it was loose. You really can't see it from the outside.

4.  Size 16, which MOST of my measurements aligned with, was perfect, no changes....of course, it's a pretty loose look, but I will ALWAYS LOVE patterns that fit straight out of the envelope.

I really like this pattern, in a heavier linen AND the more fluid and lighter crepe de chine.  Will I make it, again?  I don't know that I need more than one of these in my closet, but I might make one for each daughter...I think they might like one!!