Simplicity 2599

posted in: Sewing | 6

I started this blouse at least two months ago.  The semester got hectic, I’ve written the equivalent of a small book, the running and cycling got crazy then I got a job.  I finished everything but the hem weeks ago and last night, FINALLY, I decided enough was enough and hemmed it.  I actually hemmed it on a break from writing all evening on my research paper.

I’m going to start by saying “Yikes!”  Look at those weird tan lines!  My actual skin tone is that of my feet.  My tan comes from cycling and, unfortunately, cycling clothes make for odd tan lines.  I can see them around my ankles, my upper arms and my neck.  The ones you can’t see are on my thighs. I may have to start cycling naked 😛 Also, excuse the wrinkled skirt, these pictures were actually taken after I got home from school and work.

This is a very straightforward pattern as far as construction but made a few adjustments that made it more complicated.  I’ve recently realized that I have swayback so I’ve been experimenting with that, albeit without much success.  This blouse has a center back seam so I thought it would be perfect to try the adjustment.  I did but I don’t think it was enough, it could have definitely used more.  However, I’m unsure as to how big of an adjustment is acceptable before the garment just looks weird.  The learning curve is steep but I’m trying!

After I had made the blouse I realized that it was just too shapeless and big from below the bust down.  I took the side seams in, in an hourglass shape, so that I took 1 inch on each side at the level of the waist.  This still didn’t give the blouse much shape but it made it much more wearable.  It is a big snug around the arms but that is my fault for not making that adjustment, which I pretty much always need as I have fairly chunky upper arms.  In hindsight, I think the fabric was not right for this garment.  The fabric is too busy to be used with a ruffle.  If I was to make this blouse again, I”d choose a solid color.  However, I like it and I’ll definitely wear it.

Here is my only real issue, and it’s not specific to this top but pretty much every top I’ve made with an interfaced neck facing.  The neckline lies flat and it looks just fine when I’m standing but as soon as I sit down and rest my back on the chair, the neckline stands up and gets crazy.  It’s stiff so it doesn’t just lay nicely.  I haven’t noticed this with RTW except for shirts with collars.  It may be that I’m using the wrong interfacing but my theory is that facings are not really that great.  Again, I don’t recall ever seen facings like the ones used in home sewing in RTW clothes.  I need to look for a solution to this problem.


One thing I had issues with was choosing the right cup size.  My problem is not that I necessarily have a large bust but that it is large relative to my body and things that fit around the bust area always huge everywhere else.  I’m not sure I chose the right sizes here, especially for the bust.  I need to look in that better and experiment.  I made a size 8 (Big Four 8, not RTW 8) with D cup.  The bust is a hair  from being  too snug but the rest was pretty big, I had to take in a great deal at the waist.  Maybe it’s just the design.

6 Responses

  1. Debi

    Really beautiful outfit! Love the blouse and the alterations are perfect! I adore that fabric too! Great job!!

  2. Amy

    I love the fabric for this shirt. Yes a solid would be nice but I still like this with the ruffle.

  3. Kerri Lindstrom

    I’ve been frustrated with facings lately. They drive me crazy! I’ve decided that lining them would work better and I wouldn’t have to deal with floppy or stiff facings. I got idea from the Slapdash Sewist.

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