I bought the Simplicity 1650 pattern during a $5/5 patterns sale at Jo-Ann because I was too lazy to draft my own peplum pattern despite coming across a few free tutorials. However, after looking at the pattern, I decided that I actually liked both tops and wouldn't mind making a sleeveless peplum blouse. Even though this pattern has the peplum attached to the skirt, I didn't see why it couldn't just as easily be attached to the bottom of the blouse so I decided to try making it.
I had quite a bit of yardage leftover from the Simplicity 2698 polka dot skirt so I quickly cut out the pattern pieces on Friday evening (oh yeah, I was livin' it up on Friday night!). I cut a size 4, but used 3/8" seams on the front and back pieces. The more I worked on this pattern, the more I liked it. The back and front each have 3 pieces, but the best is they are super simple to assemble. No darts. No pleats. YES! Just some curved portions that are pretty forgiving. Since this fabric is pretty thin and see-through I decided to line it (just like the skirt). The peplum part is only supposed to be composed of a single layer of fabric, but I decided to make it out of two pieces so the inside and outside are both right sides of the polka dot fabric. (I think if I was using a thicker weight fabric that it would be ok to use just a single layer.)
I had to buy a new zipper on Saturday since I didn't have the correct length in my stash. Since this pattern is really a dress pattern the zipper is in the center back and extends into the skirt portion. Well, for some reason I decided to reference a different blouse pattern to determine the zipper length without realizing that this was a HUGE mistake because the other pattern has the zipper on the side. So anyway, I got home with a 14" zipper, inserted it quite majestically into the center back (with the lining!), and tried to put on the top. Except.....I COULDN'T GET IT OVER MY SHOULDERS!!! ***commence panic time***
My husband was peeking into the bedroom in amusement (or horror) as I struggled to pull it on. I don't know why I tried so hard to squeeze into it because it obviously did not fit. I eventually got it partially over one shoulder and then, of course, I couldn't even get it off. Thankfully, my husband came over and helped pull it off. I'm amazed he was able to get it off without ripping any seams and without busting out laughing.
It was pretty disheartening. I probably would have given up on this blouse if this happened a year ago. But for some reason I stuck with it and patiently unpicked the zipper, sewed the center back seam, unpicked the left side seam, re-did the peplum so the opening was on the left side, and inserted the zipper on the left side. The zipper extends at least halfway down the peplum and I can now fit the blouse over my shoulders and bust. However, it's still a tight fit.
I'm pretty happy with the blouse. Although, after looking at the photo of myself wearing it I see all these fit issues. I don't know if it's the way I'm standing, but it looks like there is a lot of extra room around the sides even though it feels really tight. It is possible the blouse feels artificially tight because of the lining and the fabric is a bit stiff.
I feel a little goofy wearing the blouse because the peplum is a lot more flared than I thought it would be. I feel like I'm wearing a mini circle skirt at my true waist. I want to make this blouse again, perhaps with sleeves, so maybe I'll try revising the peplum (I think the bottom part needs to be straighter to reduce the flare, but correct me if I'm wrong). I'd also like to make another blouse with a fabric that doesn't require lining and breathes better.
Overall, I do like this pattern a lot, especially considering how easy it is. Seriously, if I didn't make that huge mistake (and lined it), this blouse would have been finished in record time.
I had quite a bit of yardage leftover from the Simplicity 2698 polka dot skirt so I quickly cut out the pattern pieces on Friday evening (oh yeah, I was livin' it up on Friday night!). I cut a size 4, but used 3/8" seams on the front and back pieces. The more I worked on this pattern, the more I liked it. The back and front each have 3 pieces, but the best is they are super simple to assemble. No darts. No pleats. YES! Just some curved portions that are pretty forgiving. Since this fabric is pretty thin and see-through I decided to line it (just like the skirt). The peplum part is only supposed to be composed of a single layer of fabric, but I decided to make it out of two pieces so the inside and outside are both right sides of the polka dot fabric. (I think if I was using a thicker weight fabric that it would be ok to use just a single layer.)
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| I added some red bias binding on the seam joining the blouse and peplum. Now I think it looks like something Minnie Mouse would wear. |
My husband was peeking into the bedroom in amusement (or horror) as I struggled to pull it on. I don't know why I tried so hard to squeeze into it because it obviously did not fit. I eventually got it partially over one shoulder and then, of course, I couldn't even get it off. Thankfully, my husband came over and helped pull it off. I'm amazed he was able to get it off without ripping any seams and without busting out laughing.
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| Super Duper Invisible Zipper....now at the side seam |
I'm pretty happy with the blouse. Although, after looking at the photo of myself wearing it I see all these fit issues. I don't know if it's the way I'm standing, but it looks like there is a lot of extra room around the sides even though it feels really tight. It is possible the blouse feels artificially tight because of the lining and the fabric is a bit stiff.
 |
| Question of the day: is it possible for me to not look like a total B in these photos? |
I feel a little goofy wearing the blouse because the peplum is a lot more flared than I thought it would be. I feel like I'm wearing a mini circle skirt at my true waist. I want to make this blouse again, perhaps with sleeves, so maybe I'll try revising the peplum (I think the bottom part needs to be straighter to reduce the flare, but correct me if I'm wrong). I'd also like to make another blouse with a fabric that doesn't require lining and breathes better.
Overall, I do like this pattern a lot, especially considering how easy it is. Seriously, if I didn't make that huge mistake (and lined it), this blouse would have been finished in record time.
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