The Vivien Blouse

The Vivien Blouse 

I recently joined a pattern testing group hosted by Romy (mrsenglishroseromy on Instagram) for her brand new pattern, a 1940s blouse.  Loving vintage style as much as I do, I was so excited to be involved in Romy's project .  I had seen, and also sewn, some 1940s blouse patterns from Etsy, mostly PDF patterns, and wondered how this one might be different.

           

The pattern comes in a size range of UK 6-26.  I used a size 10.  It comes in a tiled PDF and will be available as a printed version once it is on general release.  Using the PDF version the tiles were easy to put together.  All the sizes on the pattern are easily  identifiable and seam allowance is included, so no guess work there.  I drew around the size I wanted and then traced the  pattern using  good ole greaseproof paper so the pattern was more pliable and easy to work with.  If you wanted to you could easily trace the stitch line onto your fabric before piecing together.

So, for the construction.  I used a green/blue anchor print cotton which I found on holiday in Bude at a cute little fabric store called The Remnant House. 

 

The Remnant House. Bude

It's light yet crisp, a bit like it's been starched, and so perfect for giving the blouse some structure yet not heavy,  I would definitely use a crisp cotton for this pattern again but of course, the blouse can be made in any suitable fabric.

I chose to make version B and once I'd marked the darts using carbon paper and tracing wheel I was surprised at how quickly the project came together.  The blouse has a yoke and this could easily be self-faced to add a bit more body to the upper bodice. This really is an easy sew for someone with a decent amount of sewing experience, and therefore relatively easy for a beginner.  Tbe gathering markings were well marked and easy to do.   The instructions were clear to follow and there weren't any moments of "heck, what do I do here".  I particularly like how the armbands on the short sleeve version look like a cuff but don't require fiddly cuff sewing with a bound split and button opening - they just attach, fold and slipstitch.  

Both the front and the back of the blouse have gathered bodice pieces from the yoke and, together with the waist darts these give a good vintage silhouette, together with a large pointed collar for the forties vibe.    I just needed to add some vintage-style buttons (complete with anchor design) to finish off the blouse perfectly.

                       

As a pattern tester I stuck rigidly to the pattern instructions but this is a pattern you could definitely hack if you wanted to.  For example, take out some of the back gathers for less fullness, make the darts smaller or omit for a blousy, albeit less forties, feel.  I think I would even extend the whole garment and possibly make a button front dress.  It's also a garment that could be either summer or winter wear (thinking under a vintage suit for example)

So, all in all, a versatile easy sew with a look that does what it's designed for.  Well done Romy and thank you for letting me be a pattern tester.  I'll look forward to making lots more in this pattern 

Happy Sewing 

Linda xx

Pattern available from English Rose Patterns on Etsy from 12 July 2021.