Fine. The Crescent Blouse in review.

Well, I feel guilty. Here I promised I was back to sewing! Whoo-hoo! I even made the Crescent Blouse (99% counts), and then I fizzled out.

So I lugged Vivienne up into the good daylight and dressed her up to show you guys my version of Megan Nielsen's Crescent Blouse, or rather the Mullet Blouse. Which I'll explain later.

I bought the pattern and fabric back in May, when I was certain that our St. Louis summer would be a typical one - hot, humid and hot.

Surprise! We didn't get real heat until a few weeks ago. I think that may be why it took me two months to start it. {Apologizing up front for the watermarked photos, but apparently the Russians are stealing blog content these days??}

The fabric is a pindot cotton voile I picked up at Joann's specifically for this pattern. I wanted something lightweight and breezy that wouldn't cling to me in the dead of summer. On that point, I was successful.

The pattern is very easy to follow. Since I don't have the eyes of a new sewer anymore, it's kind of hard for me to judge whether or not a newbie could try it but I think you could. The only difficult part would be working with very small seam allowances around very tight curves. And making sure your topstitching is as good as humanly possible because all of those curves around the face and neck will show. Also, be good friends with your steam iron or it could look like crap.

My problem came in the sizing. I measured myself. I consulted the pattern. I consulted various reviews that had made it already, and I mistakenly settled on a Medium. My shoulders are just too broad and maybe I scrimped on my bust measurement a little (or maybe the Snickers ice cream bars I've suddenly decided I'm in love with came into play here) but either way, it's just too snug across the top. I think if I were to make it again, I'd cut a Large on top and a medium for the skirt.

Ahh, yes, the skirt. The style is interesting, no? I am oddly drawn to it. But you should know, there are no darts to speak of. I'd really have to sit down with a pencil and paper and see if darting this top would make it more flattering? Also, see that diagonal pull towards the front? That wouldn't be there if it was the right size and if it had bust darts, I'm almost certain. It's stylish and cute and flattering around the shoulders, but after the bust it's just loose and breezy.

That's why I'm calling this one the Mullet Blouse. Business up top, party on the bottom.

All it needs now is buttons and a new owner who is narrower than me (but not by too much) around the shoulders. Any takers??