It's All About The Sleeves - Simplicity 8644 Blouse

Friends, pockets are out.
Over-sized sleeves big enough to carry your whole family is where fashion is at at the moment.

And I'm not mad at it.

The Pattern

Meet Simplicity 8644 in View A.
A wrap around blouse, this pattern comes in four different sleeve options (view A being the most EXTRA) and two different bodice lengths.

The Fabric

I used a light-weight, gingham print cotton from Spotlight, and cut the waistband and ties on the bias for a subtle contrast.

Pattern Details

The hero of this pattern is clearly the sleeves.
These full sleeves are shaped with soft pleats to create structure and volume, and elastic at the wrist for a flouncy sleeve hem.

There are small gathers under the bust and at the centre back of the bodice to add shape.

Completing this blouse are dropped shoulders and a cross-over V shaped neck which closes at the front with ties.

Worn With

I paired this blouse with my me-made Ash Jeans by Megan Nielsen Patterns.
You can read check out all the details on how I made my first ever pair of jeans, over at this blog post.

Take Note

I was a bit cheeky and decided to skip the toile stage and get straight into making the real thing. I figured with dropped shoulders and a wrap closure, most fitting issues would be camouflaged.

That being said I didn't realise just how short this blouse would be; it basically sits just under the bust. This may sit longer on someone with a smaller bust, but in any case it's worth considering adding length to the bodice if you'd prefer it a little longer than under the bust.

Conclusion

Yes, these sleeves are about 80% 'extra', but I LOVE the drama it adds. It feels like a modern, edgy (and more fleshy) take on a romantic, Victorian style blouse.

I'll probably look at this in five years time and think 'oh that's so 2019', but that's what makes fashion fun and exciting and right now it's all I want to wear.