Happy Fourth of July weekend everyone! We’re enjoying a long weekend over here after a very exhausting week in Orlando – sleeping in, lots of staying in the house, and probably some unpacking (ugh…why are there so many bags filled with stuff from our move??). I was pretty lucky last week and dropped my sewing machine off to get repaired before leaving for Orlando and when I was heading to the airport in Orlando I got a call that it was ready to be picked up! So what did we do first thing on Saturday morning? Pick up my sewing machine and bring her home! I now have a both working serger and a working sewing machine which I’ve not had for a while now.
I kicked off the weekend’s sewing with the Sutton Blouse from True Bias. I’ve wanted to make this shirt for a while and two weeks ago, I bought it and traced the pattern so it’d be ready to go! I thought it was going to be a quick sew, but it was actually a little bit more involved than I was planning on, but it was really worth it!
The Sutton Blouse is a loose fitting v-neck blouse from True Bias with kimono sleeves, back yoke and inverted back pleat. It also has a high low hem with a side slit.
Like all of Kelli’s patterns, this pattern is another great one to add to your library. After making mine, I feel like I could make a million more to fill my work wardrobe with. I kinda think it’s like secret pajamas for work – looks nice, but it’s really comfy too. I think I’ve said this before about the Lodo Dress too, right??
I used a beautiful rayon from Stitch Sew Shop that I actually bought in order to make the Saiph Tunic back in December. I was worried about how drapey it was and decided to use the rayon crepe I used instead. But this fabric has been staring at me for a while so I decided to go ahead and jump in with it!
I did make a modification to the Sutton that I think made the neckline less v-neck-ey. With the business of the pattern on this fabric, I was nervous about the seam in the center (also, I was lazy, let’s be honest) so I removed that and cut it on the fold. By doing that, it made it much more difficult to get a nice v-neck point with the bias binding. So my neckline isn’t exactly the way it should be, but I still like it.
I really love that this pattern uses french seams to sew up the majority of the seams making for a really pretty inside of the garment to match the outside. Also, the instructions on the side slit were really easy to follow! I had a lot of issues with the mitered corners on the Toaster Sweater so I’ve been a little nervous to try a similar hem again. This was super easy to follow though and now I think I’ll go ahead and try a Lodo Dress hack like Rose Garden Ln made!
The other issue I had is that the back is pretty large on me. I am smaller across my back than on my front, so maybe on the next version I might try sizing down to a 6 on the back and yoke piece to try to make it fit a little bit better. But, that inverted box pleat is amazing!
This might turn out to be a wearable muslin, but it’s a very pretty wearable muslin!
I would really recommend this pattern though – with it’s really great instructions and such a wearable pattern! I might suggest not taking the lazy route and leaving in the center seam – it makes the neckline a lot easier!
Sutton Blouse Summary:
Size Made: 8
View: Only one view!
Fabric Used: Rayon from Stitch Sew Shop
Notions Used: Pre-Made Bias Tape was the only thing I used other than the usual items!
Ease of Construction: It was a little bit more time consuming than I expected – I think the french seams and the yoke added a bit more time. But the instructions are super easy to follow and really detailed!
Fit: The top fits well, I think I need to size down on the back pattern pieces in order to make it fit even better. Also, don’t take the easy route and keep in the center seam.
Repeatable? Yes!
Love your Sutton Lara! I just finished the Dove by Megan Nielsen and learned a painful lesson about a V-neck centre front seam! I love flat-fell seams and did it on the front which meant is ended up on one side of the V 🙁 in a beautiful black, flowing silk I cried). Well now I know don’t EVER do flat fell seams on a centre front or back 🙂 This Sutton is just the wort of blouse I love!
Oh no! So sad – I hate when your sewing brain tells you one thing and then when you do it it’s like gosh why did I do that?? I managed on my Dove Blouse to effectively eliminate the center front seam, but I don’t think it really worked in this instance…