Sewing Workshop Won Ton Blouse

Reviewed by:	Ann Smith	About Ann Smith CA USA Member since: 8/24/02 Reviews written: 155 Sewing skills:Advanced Favored by: 186 people patterns reviewed: 152 Bio: I love to sew for fashion, especially unusual designs. I own way too many patterns and fabric! I hav...full profile
Posted on:	9/26/03 2:11 AM
Last Updated:	9/27/03 2:09 PM
Pattern Size:	Regular
Project Photo:
Pattern Photo:	Pattern Information provided by Ann Smith
Pattern Rating:	Difficult, but ended up with good results
Pattern Description: The Won Ton Blouse is a pullover top with a loose-fitting bodice, inset v-neck collar and below waist band. Front and back extend into elbow length sleeves with a side seam zipper. Pattern Sizing: XS-S-M-L-Xl-XXL I made S in the shoulders, M at the sides. Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions were easy to follow but there are several places that sound simple in the instructions but were quite tricky. The point of the v is a sensitive spot. I had trouble there and had to redo it 3 times to remove poofing. I actually had to remove the stay stitching to ease it in successfully. My suggestion here is to stitch from the dot up one side and then go back and stitch from the dot up the other side. That way you will prevent that puckering caused by sewing down toward the dot on one side. The zipper is troublesome because of the curving side-seam. I had to fiddle there and still have a bit of puckering. I think this would be solved by making the zipper as short as possible to get the garment on. You want to avoid having to insert the zip in the curved part of the seam. JIG mentioned in her review that she discovered that she didn't need the zipper to get the garment on over her head. I do, I guess because of the full bust business but it could be a shorter zipper than the pattern has you install. There are several errors in the pattern. They are small and fixable. First, the circle that marks the point of the v is in the wrong spot. Because the front is cut on the fold, the dot should be at the edge of the pattern. Instead it is 5/8" in from the edge. Just move the dot out to the edge. Also the measurement given for shortening the zipper is too long so don't rely on what the pattern says. What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? This is a wonderful style, beautiful and distinctive. My photo doesn't do it justice. The light reflects off the blouse oddly so you don't see it at it's best. (I'm going to try to get a better picture to add). Fabric Used: A silk charmeuse remnant from Thai Silks. Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: The important fitting point on this blouse is at the waist. Be sure you have some ease at your waist but you don't want it real big. If it is too big the blouse will slide down on your hips instead of blousing attractively. I added to the sides to make it big enough. However, my charmeuse stretched (as it is inclined to do) and I had to take it back in to fit correctly at the waist. I did not need to do my usual full bust alteration as there is plenty of ease at the bust line. Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I would definitely make this again. I think it is a stunning top, yet comfortable and easy to wear. Conclusion Sewing Workshop doesn't rate their patterns as to difficulty. I would say this one might be intermediate with a stable fabric. With my charmeuse it was quite fussy and I would say an advanced project. Sept. 27th edit: added I few comments in the review that I forgot when I originally wrote this at midnight the other day.