wardrobe essentials - the Patina blouse

Working at home and teaching online allows for a casual wardrobe. This means mostly t-shirts, hoodies and a pair of well worn jeans. While practical, it is also boring. Boring to wear and boring to make (with regards to the tops at least). To keep sewing fresh, I am making more woven tops, blouses and shirts. Today I am showing you the Patina blouse by Friday Pattern Company. This is a collared, V-neck, button-up blouse that ticks almost all my boxes. It has two sleeve options, short and cuffed long. The collar is large with pointy corners. I like a big collar. It makes me feel efficient. Don't ask!

I used a new to me fabric for this, Cupro, which is a fabric made from cotton linter too small to spin. It is chemically processed  to create a fibre that can be spun. I am not sure how sustainable it is but at least it uses cotton waste that is not otherwise processed, maybe making the cotton industry a little less wasteful. I suppose it depends on the diligence of the producers and recycling of processing baths and proper disposal of waste... But let's not worry about this just now. 

The fabric is dreamy soft and smooth, I really rather like it. I think lighter weight Cupro is used as lining fabric. I bought this from Fabric Godmother, another independent fabric business I like to shop from.  

I found the buttons in my granny's button jar. I love them, they are cute. Once I decide that the blouse needs a new home, I shall replace the buttons so I can re-use the little flower ones for another garment.

The sizing is inclusive but each size is for a measurement range, for example the XL size is for a bust size of 40" - 42". I prefer single size patterns because it helps to create a well fitting garment. The patterns are drafted for a B-cup bust size (which I am not) but based on the finished garment measurements, I decided I didn't need a full bust adjustment. 

The instructions are clear and easy to follow. I think the pattern would be suitable for an adventurous beginner, particularly if you follow the sew-along (which you can find on the linked pattern page). 

I really like the blouse but I don't wear it often. Not because I don't want to but because I procrastinate over ironing. I don't even dislike ironing all that much, it is just always very low on my list of priorities. 

Ah well. 

Thanks for visiting 😊.