YIP.7.15 – Summer Blouse, originally uploaded by earthchick.

I should’ve studied everyone else’s photos and notes before making my own, because it turns out that I had the same problems other people have had, but I was so anxious to get this done before leaving on our vacation that I just plunged ahead when I finally got a few moments with my machine.

This is the Summer Blouse from Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross. It’s the third thing I’ve made from the book, but it was the first thing that caught my eye. It is exactly my style, and quite similar to my favorite store-bought summer top.

Notes and mods:
1 – I didn’t do a button and loop at the top of the neck, because with this high of a neck I will never, ever button it. (if I make this again, I will be cutting the neck lower)

2 – I reduced the placket by about 4 inches (I did read other people’s comments enough to know that I didn’t want the placket cut as low as the pattern calls for). Even with the length I made it, I will have to wear a cami underneath.

3 – I made the bias trim for the neck out of the contrast fabric, but it would’ve looked better out of the main fabric.

4 – In fact I should’ve done the placket in the main fabric as well; I’m afraid the contrast fabric (a light green with tiny chocolate polka dots) doesn’t work as well as the main fabric would’ve.

5. I was not able to cut the pattern pieces from the amount of fabric indicated as laid out in the book. I had 1 1/2 yds of 43″ fabric, whereas the book calls for 45″ – but I don’t think it would’ve worked with 45 either, or it would have been very very close. I will post pics on flickr of how I finally did the lay out – as a result of it, I had to make the sleeves 2-3″ shorter than the pattern called for, which actually made them just right.

6. The length of this is a problem. As others have mentioned, it is pretty short. I really didn’t have any fabric to spare, so there’s not much I could’ve done about it, even if I had realized ahead of time. This shirt would be perfect for me except for the fact that it is about 3 inches shorter than I like to wear my tops. I hemmed it as minimally as possible, but it still hits higher than I like – much higher.

7. It’s pretty blousy, which would’ve been fine if it had been a bit longer. As it is, I might decide to add some darts in the sides or the back.

I’m bummed out about the length since I really LOVE this fabric (another cheapy cotton from Joann’s!). I could’ve easily bought more had I known at the time that I should make it longer (and that the pattern pieces weren’t going to fit on the fabric).

Other than that, it’s a quick, fun, easy pattern. I will likely make it again, with a few mods.

Oh, and since I sort of declared this my Summer of the Skirt, I did whip out another one of those, for the 4th of July.

Just a plain old drawstring-waist A-line skirt from red polka-dot cotton, drafted from Sew What! Skirts. I’m not wild about the fit, but the fabric was just too summery to resist.

Hope you are enjoying these long summer days!