I really like this pattern (sort of)

I'm having a love/hate relationship with this pattern.  It's Simplicity 4111, a Built by Wendy blouse and I really adore the style.

I've made it twice and the first time it took me about 4 frustrating hours. I rushed ahead without reading through the pattern (because I know how to make a blouse, right?) and ended up taking the neck facing out twice. The facing has to be attached to the wrong side first, then flipped over to the right side and stitched down.  I made myself a note in order to avoid the same dilemma the second time. See:  WRONG (in capitals no less) = not right. Got it?  Good.

I like the finished blouse but it's too low cut for my comfort (even after raising it an inch) so I made a little tank to go under it. I like this style but it's a bit maternity-esque so with 5 kids already I'm at risk of getting those "Not again!" stares while wearing it (mind your own beeswax people, we've got it under control here). This gauze fabric was 1.00 a yard at Wallyworld and I really like it. I capped the sleeves since we don't need too much sleevage in Arizona.  I like it okay, but it doesn't knock my socks off.

So this week I found a sweet, lightweight fabric at JoAnn for 2.00 yd and thought I'd try it again. I kept it real simple (no ruffle) and took in the sides so it's less "fluffy".  I only ran into one glitch which I had forgotten about. Two of the steps are listed in reverse order which was pretty simple to adjust but I feel really bad for any beginners who follow the directions and then think the mistake is their own. So I whipped out my red pen again (and remember: WRONG = not right).

I really like it but the low neckline frustrates me still. It's fine for wearing around the house but if a tall guy comes to the door I'll have to leave it unanswered (I'd make an exception for that guy from Publisher's Clearing House). I've made new notes on the pattern piece and I think if I raise it and angle the front middle edges I can make it work.

Here it is with a tank under it and a brown skirt. It's okay, but definitely leaning into frump territory. Any ideas?  Maybe a less conspicuous camisole-type thing under it?  Or a little dickey (why do they call it that?  It's embarrassing)?  I'm open to advice here. 

Comments

[Miss Sassy]

I really like the shirt, too. With the newer fabric, I think it looks better with jeans or khakis. Why wouldn't the tank you used with the white shirt work? I like the dickey idea best, though. Less bulky and less worries.

[Beth]

I think the shape of the top one is more flattering, even though I see what you mean about it possibly being maternity-esque. But by bringing it in on the second one, you took away the curvy shape, and according to those people on What Not to Wear, when a top gets narrow right below your breasts, it makes you look thinner by highlighting your skinny middle. So I'd say that if you're going to take it in or tinker with it, you should try to maintain the boob-highlighting, curvier shaper of the top version. That'll keep it out of frump territory. Also, I don't think it's meant to be worn with a skirt, but with slim pants.

My sewing skills are only at the beginning level, so I have no idea how you'd bring the deep-V up, but I think that would help it too, if that's possible. I like it with a tank, but here in AZ, you're not going to want to be messing with a tank top every time you put that blouse on. One layer is plenty, and the beauty of that blouse is that it's light and airy enough to be comfy in the summer, even with the longer sleeves. Good luck!

Beth in Phoenix

[Autum]

I've made this top several times and had every problem you have. The first time those #9 and 10 instructions really messed me up and ended up in lots of ripping apart and re-doing. With the second one I figured it out, and emailed Simplicity to let them know. I got a very friendly reply back that they have pattern testers so it couldn't be wrong. Then she went on to explain it to me almost exactly the way the pattern is written. So I took photos of the step, the way they instructed and the right way and emailed her again. This time, she agreed and apologized for any inconvenience it may have caused and sent me a coupon for a free pattern. I wonder if they've since fixed the error?
Anyway, I did redo the neckline, and it helped, but I still feel a little exposed without a tank underneath.

[Lisa]

Great looking project. That's interesting that others had the same instruction problems in the same place. I do love the pattern thought and I'll definitely make note of these issues.

Nice pictures too.

[jona]

Thanks for all the great help! I'm going to try one more idea that I have and if that doesn't do it I will just embrace the pattern as it is and get some nice camis to go under it (or something).

[debra cooper]

I'm so glad to read this! I just bought this pattern after wanting to make it for a while and made notes of the problems. I have to say though that I really love the shirt on you. I think they are both very flattering and I like the skirt/tank combo--maybe b/c it looks like something I would wear! ;-) Comfy, but definitely not frumpy! I have been mistaken for pregnant once wearing one of these blousy tunic type shirts and it bruised my ego for a bit but I'm over it b/c I love them so much. (But I still can't get myself to wear that one particular shirt anymore!)

[Marie Villa]

I really like the second top, it's less maternity-esque than the white one. I think it would be super cute with a pair of dark jeans or some linen slacks and sandals. I also had the thought that if you added some length to it and made it with cap sleeves you could make it a swimsuit pullover, perhaps with the right kind of fabric for that. I don't know, I'm a beginner sewer, so I could be totally wrong!

[designdreamer]

I'm not sure I follow what "Beth in Phoenix" was trying to say, but "highlighting your skinny middle" sounds like a good thing to me!