First I must apologize for being remiss in naming the winners of the Kate and Rose hot iron transfers so without further delay, they are Bea and Anneke! Please send me your mailing addresses and I will get them in the mail post haste!
Now onto my review of the first pattern from Jennifer Lauren Vintage: The Afternoon Blouse. I was immediately sold after seeing Jane and Tasha’s versions. The Afternoon Blouse is loosely based on a 1940’s style blouse with kimono sleeves and a front closure. The pattern is aptly named as even for a slow sewer like me, I still finished within a few hours.
The pattern is sold in pdf format and unlike most pdf patterns, is tiled so you don’t have to print all the pieces at once. This is especially helpful since there are two front closure variations. I chose to make the rounded front closure version and only had to make a slight grade to the bust area to fit my 48″ bust measurements. Since the blouse is intended to fit over your head without zippers or buttons, the overall shape is loose. I am a pear shape so the shape fit wonderfully without significant changes.
I also love the fact that there are only four pattern pieces: front, back, neck facing, and front facing. It took me about an hour to put the pattern together, make my grading changes, and cut the pieces out. Jen’s instructions are super clear and easy to follow and with the exception of the bottom of the front closure being a bit “fiddly”, the blouse was a joy to sew.
I enjoyed making the blouse so much, I made two! The first one used some rose suiting from my stash and the second was made from a yard of Liberty of London Wiltshire. Since I only had a yard the facings were some white lining from my stash. These blouses also cover my April challenge over at The Monthly Stitch which required me to sew at least two versions of the same pattern. Even though I have sewn two, I see more Afternoon Blouses in my future!