Stella Blouse

Pattern: Bluegingerdoll's Stella Blouse
Fabric: cotton silk
Cost: $20


Lately I've been pretty obsessed with finding the perfect work top. Lucky for me, the new Bluegingerdoll Stella Blouse has just about everything I've been looking for - 3/4 length sleeves, sleek design, and cute details. When Abby offered to send it over for me to try out, I jumped at the chance!

If you haven't checked out Bluegingerdoll patterns yet, you totally should! Abby's designs combine the look of vintage with a modern style and fit that just works for me in a way that true vintage patterns don't. And this top is totally channeling that 60s mod look.


My favorite part of the top is definitely the buttons tabs. It's such a fun way to dress up a top for the office without going too frilly or overboard. Both Abby and Heather have made up cute versions with contrasting tabs, but I kept mine simple with just contrasting wooden buttons. It's a detail you sometimes see on skirts or pants, but I really like it on a top.


To make this blouse, I followed the Stella Sew-along and, would you believe it, but it was my first sew-along ever! Unfortunately, a nasty cold and some general busy-ness kept me from following along in real time, but I referred back to all of the posts as I made it up. The biggest accomplishment for me was completing my first small bust adjustment using Heather's great instructions.

As with most Bluegingerdoll patterns, I found that the fit is very important to get right. I cut the pattern size using my hip measurements, which are bigger than my bust measurements, and then did a SBA to better fit my frame. Even with Heather's instructions I had to redraw the bust dart and the height of the waist dart after cutting my fabric, but I'm sure I'll get it right in time. The only other problem I had was with the sleeves, which were a bit tight for me and had to be re-sewn using a smaller seam allowance. If you're a newer sewer or looking for that tighter fit, a cotton with a slight stretch might be the ticket!

Overall, however, I'm very impressed with this pattern, as it is my most comfortable woven top to date. I have enough room across the back and under the arms, which for me are very important for comfort! Plus, I already got a compliment at work on my first day wearing it. :)


If you're a fan of Bluegingerdoll and live in the Bay Area, I heard we may be featuring one of her patterns in a Bay Area Sewists giveaway soon!

10 comments:

  1. This is such a cute top on you. I am heading over to check out their patterns now.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lovely top! The fit looks awesome - I'm too scared to try bust adjustments, so I just keep pretending things fit me when I don't. It's total denial, but I'll get there eventually. I hope.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You know, I was the same why! But it's really not that bad when you follow the tutorial!

      Delete
  3. So cute! Love the color of the fabric and POCKETS!

    ReplyDelete
  4. It's such a cute top and the pocket tabs and the buttons make it even cuter!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Lovely - it looks like a great work top, and it's always a good sign when you get a compliment as soon as you wear it!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow! This looks great! And congrats on your first sew-along! I would've sworn you would've hosted one by now! :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. This is a lovely blouse on you - it looks so much more flattering on you than on the company model. :-)

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...