Burda WOF 03-2008-108 Blouse

Pattern Description: Small details make a big impact on this blouse. The gathered collar and rounded, pleated pockets furnish that certain special something.Added by me: All of that and princess seaming, topstitching, and flouncy cuffs.

Pattern Sizing: 36-44. I made the size 36.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes it does. They used a monochromatic flavor while I used variegated thread and contrasting buttons.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Hee hee. I have learned with Burda that it is more of a learning experience than a "guiding light". I had a lot of difficulty following the directions for the cuff so I gave up and did it my way (see below). The other parts of the blouse are pretty easy to assemble.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I'm not sure I'm in love with this top. I like it. I really like the details although they added a lot of time to construction. The pockets are cute but I had to change the pleat a bit and make it an overlap. I do have some issues with the facings. The facings on the back and neck want to pop out. I have not tacked it down but I will tack it to the princess seams and shoulder seams. This will help but will not solve the problem totally. I did not understitch the entire collar because it folds down and people would see it. I did understitch the back section.

Fabric Used: This is a stretch poplin from Fabric.com. I really like the color but I think I'm a bit burned out on it because my Wardrobe Contest things were mostly brown. I used variegated Maxi-Lock thread for all the topstitching. It is Mocha Blast or some other coffee-esque name. It is tan, brown, and burgundy. It is pretty fun thread. I did the buttonholes, topstitching, pockets, and narrow hem cuffs with this thread. I'm not sure I like it on the buttonholes. On the princess seaming, I doubled up the thread so it would really stand out.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I made no alterations to this top. I wanted to see if a straight Burda size 36 fit me. I think it fits okay for not doing any alterations. I will probably do a little shortening between the shoulder and bust and a little lengthening for a long-ish torso. But, it is good to know that this size 36 fits me pretty well. I did change the cuff quite a bit. I couldn’t figure out what Burda wanted me to do so I did it my way. I sewed the cuff band onto the sleeve and sewed the flounce onto that cuff band. I finished the edges of the flounce using the narrow hem on my serger. I put the variegated thread in the upper looper. I really like how it turned out. I changed the differential on the serger so I would get just a touch of lettuce edging. I am not sure, according to the directions if this is supposed to be a functional button or not. To finish the edges of the cuff, I sewed the edges together. So my version is not a functional button.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Maybe I'll sew it again. I am only so-so on it. The collar is quite dramatic when it is up. If this was a different color than my hair, you would really think I was Cruella Daville. As it is, it kind of blends in with my hair and skin tone. I recommend it to people who want a dramatic collar. Just make sure you do something about the facings. I am still figuring that one out. Maybe next time I'll just do a full facing and connect it to the princess seams.

Conclusion: Lots of time and attention to detail make this cute top take a while. Play with your topstitching to figure out what you want it to look like. I finally chose the center rust-colored one.

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