While participating in Me Made May it became obvious that I needed more separates. While I do love making dresses, who doesn’t? A blouses and skirts can really help to extend your wardrobe. I already had a few skirts, but though that I would tackle making a few blouses.
Simplicity 1364
I wanted to make a simple blouse nothing too fancy. Something that I could wear to work or with jeans. I also wanted it to be vintage in style and super easy to make.
In the end I decided to make 1960’s reproduction Simplicity 1364. Yes,another 1960’s pattern, plus it counts a part of my #VintagePledge, yea!
Jiffy Pattern
Simplicity 1364 is a Jiffy pattern, since it only has 3 main pattern pieces. I also made is even easier by eliminating the back zipper.
I’m not fond of blouses with back zippers, since I have a hard time zipping myself up. Besides I wanted something I could just throw over my head.
So, I sewed the back seam allowance at ½ inch instead of the standard ⅝ inch and omitted the zipper. This worked perfectly.
I made version B so I didn’t have to mess with making sleeves. I also opted to use a bias tape facing for the neckline and arm holes.
If you want to learn how to use a bias tape facing, then be sure to check back on Friday for an all new Learn to Sew video.
The rest of the blouse as directed using a size 16 bust grading down to a size 22. What I forgot to do was grade the arm holes, so sadly they are a little snug.
My New Favorite Blouse
My first attempt at this blouse was a sort of wearable muslin, since I hadn’t made it before and didn’t know how it was going to look.
I made it out of a pale pink floral cotton and put it together rather quickly using pinked seam finishes. I loved the blouse so much I wish I had done my usual French seams so that the inside would have looked prettier.
It doesn’t really matter because I turned around and made it again out of a thin white cotton with a lovely pattern of blue roses with green leaves on it. This time I French seamed the inside.
While the pattern called for a fabric tie belt, I opted instead to make a hair scarf to match each blouse from the left over fabric.
I love these two blouses! I love the bateau neckline and the light cotton fabric. I love how well it looks with a skirt and blazer as well as a pair of jeans or capris.
It’s like the ultimate blouse pattern! And I made it in probably like an hour.
This has become my summer blouse pattern. I’ve already made two more versions of this blouse which I’ll share in some upcoming posts, soon.
I love your gif, that’s so cute! The blouse looks fab, and I see why it’s your favorite – it looks like just the kind of comfortable, versatile piece that you’d pull out of your closet again and again, especially in the warmer months. Looks fab on you!
Thank you Jessica!
I actually made it a few more times already. I’m getting a lot of use of it in these 90+ degree weather we’ve been having.
I’ve made this pattern a couple of times & omit the zip too. I’m about to make the version with sleeves. I love your makes, they look gorgeous on you! x Allison http://www.thetallmamstyle.blogspot.com
Thanks Allison. I also plan to make a sleeved version, this time using knit fabric, so we’ll see how it turns out. Good luck on your project.
Love this- it is so cute on you. A question- the pattern shows a bateau neckline, but yours looks more like a rounded neckline. I much prefer rounded, so did you alter it?
Susanna, I cut the neckline as directed by the pattern. I didn’t use the pattern facing, instead I went with a bias tap facing around the neckline. I can only assume that I warped the neckline when I added the bias tape, creating a more rounded neckline. I hope this makes sense.