Mix and match blouse B5464 & S3563

this is the first bit of real sewing I have done for a few weeks due to work and travel.  My D Mike went off to collect a Horn sewing cabinet I purchased from ebay, and then continued his journey to go sailing on a beautiful sunny day here in the UK.


I wanted to use my Butterick 5464 pattern again,  but insert long sleeves rather than make a sleeveless or short sleeve version as I have done before.

I dug through my pattern stash and came up with Style 3563 which I am sure I bought when I was around 25 years old.

I basically took the sleeve pattern, using some spare pattern tissue I re-cut the sleeve so that I can use it again at a later date if I wanted to.  I couldn't make up my mind about the cuff - with a frill or without a frill.


I tried the shirt on and asked my 25 year old daughter for her advice - "without the frill was her suggestion" based on the fact the fabric was quite busy, so this is what I went with.

Pattern Description:  B5464

Misses’ Blouse:  Loose-fitting blouses A,B,C,D have front band with button closing, purchased bias faced arm-holes and stitched hems.  A,B: sleeveless with collar band.  A: neck ruffle. B,D: front neck flounce (wrong side of fabric will show).  C,D: collar and collar band, tiered caps sleeves.  D Contrast flounce and sleeves.

Notions: Eight 3/8” Buttons and one package of ½” single fold bias tape

Pattern Sizing:6-20

Fabric I Used: crepe and cotton for the collar and front band and cuffs.

Total cost: £2.50 (fabric £1 a metre from Walthamstow market)

Time to Make:

5 hours.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I have made this pattern up several times so needless to say love it.  Its loose fitting is so comfortable to wear and I have worn it both for work and casual.


Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes/No, because of the changes I made.


Were the instructions easy to follow?

Yes very, although I was using two patterns for the instructions.


Pattern Alterations or any design changes I made:

I added 1” to the length of the blouse plus a FBA. I sewed the two front bands together to give the illusion of a button front.  For the buttons I added two little black bugle beads to give a black and white contrast.

Tools etc:

Machines: Babylock Evolution serger, Bernina 440 sewing machine,

Conclusion:

I am pleased with the end result.  I will be able to wear this with my black pants or navy blue pants.  Its light and easy to slip over my head and gives a totally different look to a well used pattern.