Loes Hinse 5204 Italian Blouse

Reviewed by:	Ann Smith	About Ann Smith CA USA Member since: 8/24/02 Reviews written: 154 Sewing skills:Advanced Favored by: 185 people patterns reviewed: 151 Bio: I love to sew for fashion, especially unusual designs. I own way too many patterns and fabric! I hav...full profile
Posted on:	3/3/03 10:03 PM
Pattern Size:	Regular
Project Photo:
Pattern Photo:	Loes Hinse Designs Pattern Information Pattern Information provided by Ann Smith
Pattern Rating:	Recommended, but with modifications
See other patterns in this category:	Top
Available for sale on PR:	Yes
Pattern Description: This is a classic blouse with one piece collar and folded cuffs on the short sleeve version that I made. The long sleeve version has standard button cuffs. Pattern Sizing: Petite through Plus in one pattern. Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Not exactly. The line drawing shows what appears to be topstitching down the front. No instructions are given to do that. The photo shows the left buttoning over the right side. This may be because the picture is reversed. If you follow the measurements given to choose your size, the blouse will be more close fitting at the shoulders. You will need to go up a size to have the look in the photo which shows an extended shoulder. Were the instructions easy to follow? Easy to follow if they are there. There are some serious omissions. There is never any reference to sewing up the side seams. This should be between step 35 and 36. The collar instructions are sketchy as other reviewers here have mentioned. Be sure to pin from dot to dot. What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like the collar style and the cuff treatment on the short sleeve. However I followed Loes Hinse's method of omitting interfacing and that caused me a lot of trouble on the collar. I had to resew it several times to get close to a matching shape on each side. If interfacing had been used to stabilize the pattern piece I would not have had this problem. I experimented making buttonholes on scrap fabric first and decided to go ahead and tuck some interfacing behind each which prevented stretching out of shape. Fabric Used: I used a rayon crepe. I think if you were to use a crisp fabric like linen the problems I had with the collar would not happen. But with a fabric like mine, which is suggested on the pattern, I think you really need to use interfacing. Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: My fabric grew a lot as I sewed with it so I took it in quite a bit. Even so, it is much bigger than it should be. Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I will make it again as it is a nice, basic blouse. I definitely suggest interfacing.