Simplicity 8741 – Peasant Blouse

Fabric: Embroidered cotton eyelet from Gorgeous Fabrics

Size: 10? I think?

Shoes: Target (Merona Brand)

Watch: Citizen

Glasses: Zenni Optical

I’ve had this fabric in my stash for about two years and had a hard time trying to find a pattern that would complement it. It was lightweight, a little transparent, and had such a cool embroidered flower pattern that I knew I didn’t a pattern that would break up the design. Something loose and breezy…a peasant top!

I actually made this top in 2010 and for some reason didn’t get around to hemming it until this year. It’s a pretty straightforward pattern – no changes or modification necessary. I’m pretty sure I made a 10 and didn’t grade it at the waist out to a 12 like I usually do…since it’s such a loose fitting top style-wise, I wanted it to be as fitted and trim as possible. A lot of times there’s way too much ease it tops of this style: see this babydoll top I made in 2008 as an example. So I took my chances and this top fit the bill.

A new technique I tried with this top were french seams, a seam finishing technique commonly used on sheer and lightweight fabrics to conceal raw edges. Since this fabric is a little on the sheer side, I opted to finish all of my seams, even the armhole seams, using this technique and I loved it. The inside is so professional looking, and even though it was a little more time consuming, it was worth it. I’ve washed the top a few times and it’s held up nicely. Plus, if I hadn’t done that, my seam allowances would be visible from the right side. That wouldn’t look nice at all!