My TOP TEN favourite blouse patterns for any time of year!

[@sharonscott8358]

Lovely blouses. I have to say the Style Arc Francesca Blouse is on my make list. I did smocking when my children were little. Not sure for myself but may make something with smoking for my granddaughter.

[@sewamelia]

I have seen so many adult smocked garments in the shops recently, it has really made me want to have a go for myself! I hope you enjoy making the Style Arc Francesca. It looks like such a lovely pattern!

[@elaine58100]

Oh Amelia you are so clever and inspiring. That red viscose linen from merchant and mills I could just imagine as a Christmas dress for your little girl. I think I always associated smocking with children's clothes. I too love French Navy patterns, especially the Vetiver blouse, they always seem to come together nicely. Instead of the gathered frill I did little 1cm pleats, took me a little while, but it was worth it. I love you style some are classy and modern and other pieces from the past.

[@sewamelia]

Thank you so much for your lovely comment Elaine. I really love the viscose linen, and might need to get some more for a smocked CCP Susie skirt for my daughter! I am really glad you enjoyed the pattern suggestions. Thanks for watching!

[@margaretleake9361]

Hi Amelia excellent video , I’m made a few vetiver tops which I love, but now I’ve seen your nautilus blouse I know this would be great for summer….so much so I’ve just bought it, so thank you.

[@sewamelia]

I am so glad you enjoyed the video, and really hope you enjoy making your Nautilus top. I did end up lengthening the shirt version I made about an inch, (I kept the blouse version at the original length) so you may want to check the length before you sew your version, depending on your torso length/how cropped you want your version.

[@nanrussell6423]

I enjoyed seeing your favorite blouse patterns. I like the FibreMood blouse, especially the piped one Sara made. KnottyGnome is one of my favorite sewing KZbinrs, as well as CathCraft, and, or couse, you! I also like Pattern Scout. She has a small pattern company, but she also share her process of drafting, fitting, etc. I enjoyed the one smocking project that I did for myself. It was a maternity blouse when I was expecting my youngest son, and he is 40 now! I am glad to see smocking is in style for adults. Thanks, Amelia.

[@sewamelia]

Thank you so much for your kind words Nan. I really enjoy watching those vloggers too!

[@nanrussell6423]

@@sewamelia I forgot one more vlogger that I think you have mentioned, Lauren Johnson.

[@melissaj4626]

Great inspiration! Thank you!

[@sewamelia]

Thank you for watching!

[@nataliestanchevski4628]

Smocking is so beautiful. For myself I find the math and the time commitment that is necessary is a bit daunting lol. For blouses I love anything with a yoke. Even if the bottom portion doesn't have gathers, the seam line adds a nice detail. I also love Sara's piping on her blouse.

[@sewamelia]

Isn't Sara's blouse gorgeous! I would love to add ric-rac for a really colourful Ermine blouse. Yoke blouses are definitely my favourites, they are so nice to sew and wear!

[@chlomo2618]

Great video Amelia! I'm really intrigued by the Cornflower pattern, not to make, but to enjoy vicariously if that's the way you end up going. It would also be cool to see the Mabel with smocking. I'll be following your smocking progress with great interest!

[@sewamelia]

Thank you Chloe! I am loving the look of the Cornflower pattern. I think it is one I would really like to try this summer!

[@jemmcgregor]

Wonderful video as always. I love the look of the Mome dress, it looks so beautiful. I am loving these tops!

[@sewamelia]

Thank you! I think the Mome looks like such a beautiful pattern! I am on the look out for a beautiful Broderie now.

[@katrinanaylor1135]

All of the blouses are so pretty, both the ones you made as well as the ones you haven't. The Francesca by Style Ark has caught my eye as well. Such a lovely blouse. Thanks for sharing!😊

[@sewamelia]

Thank you Katrina. I am really glad you enjoyed the video! I am looking forward to trying the Style Arc pattern later in the year.

[@gailfirenze4760]

Thank you for these patterns.🙋🏼‍♀️🇦🇺

[@sewamelia]

So glad you enjoyed the patterns I shared in the vlog!

[@jmfred2726]

Thanl you for this lovely exploration...especially the smocking inspirations which hit a home run with me! 😮

[@sewamelia]

Thank you! I am glad you liked the idea of a smocked blouse!

[@aleciacope3503]

I also agree that Style Arc's Francesca blouse is lovely. I've made one in a cotton poplin and plan on decreasing the height of the ruffle a bit (I'm short necked, unlike you.) for subsequent blouses. Great round up of your 10 favorite blouses. Thank you, Amelia!

[@sewamelia]

Thank you for watching! I will have a look at the height of the ruffle before I sew it up. Good to hear it works well in a cotton poplin!

[@marionmathews9852]

This was so useful and informative. You mentioned loads of patterns that I’ve never even heard of. Some very pretty ones indeed. I like the idea of smocking details for grownups, as little girls dresses always spring to mind.

[@sewamelia]

Thank you Marion! I have only thought about smocking for children too, but I have so enjoyed seeing lots of adult smocked garments in the shops this summer so I really want to give it a go!

[@drummerlovesbookworm9738]

These are all so pretty and so useful! I’d like to make some blouses this season. They are a definite step-up from tee shirts. 🤎XOjennyinseattle

[@sewamelia]

Thank you so much. I do love the look of a blouse when I want to feel a bit more put together!

[@karolmolpus9536]

Beautiful 😍

[@marygreen7225]

Thank you Amelia, you are so talented. I absolutely love the Vetiver blouse and I have made several. Looking forward to seeing the results of your smocked top.

[@sewamelia]

Thank you for watching Mary. I am really glad to hear you love the Vetiver blouse too. It is such a lovely pattern!

[@rosemaryhannah3467]

I love smocking but not done any since I left school in 1964! I like your smocking on sleeves and think that maybe that's a good starting point. I don't usually like frills and flounces but do have a couple of patterns with a small amount. I'm currently making the Itch to Stitch Bonn Shirt which I love. I'm about to put in the sleeves then I've just got the hem, buttons and buttonholes. I've managed to source some beautiful buttons which are perfect for this shirt and the fabric.

[@sewamelia]

The Bonn shirt looks so beautiful - and I love the dress version too. I hope you have enjoyed sewing it up!

[@knottygnome]

thank you for sharing my top and i'm excited to see what you do with the pattern! i really like that french navy shirt. i would like to try that one for myself at some point.

[@sewamelia]

It is such a beautiful blouse! I love the French Navy shirt - definitely a TNT for me.

[@Allycat3270]

Hello Amelia. I loved your blouses and at the moment I am in the process of sewing the 'Marnie' blouse with the pintucks in a bright beautiful fabric from Lady McElroy (without the flounces). I love the 'Vetiver' blouse and I heard you mention that the pattern designer will be increasing the size range which is good for me as I love that top. I just purchased a pattern and it is from a pattern designer in New Zealand called 'The Sewing Revival'. I have bought patterns from there before and love them and the one I bought today is the 'Flounce' dress and shirt. I know you would really like this pattern so go and check it out.

[@sewamelia]

Thank you Allison, I am glad you liked the Vetiver blouse. I will take a look at The Sewing Revival - I always like hearing about NZ pattern companies!

[@Allycat3270]

@@sewamelia you will love them, many of the patterns that they have will really suit you, please let me know what you think

[@PinkyJapan]

Thank you for the great ideas! I am currently working on a Studio Smock by Sew Liberated but the two blouses I want to make most at the moment are the Fleur Blouse by Mood Fabrics and the new Nell Blouse by Tilly and the Buttons!

[@juliadroy1179]

Great blouse patterns I love a blouse xx

[@lynnelister7364]

Thank you for the inspiration Amelia ☺️ I’m looking forward to seeing your Mabel, I’m still sitting on the fence about it 😆

[@sewamelia]

Thank you Lynne! I am looking forward to sharing my Mabel dresses soon!

[@lynnelister7364]

@@sewamelia I can’t wait 👗🥰

[@sharoncrawford6450]

Beautiful blouses! It seems I’m always sewing up dresses but I love blouses also and have plenty of blouse patterns. You’ve inspired me to sew some blouses for the summer months. Thanks! Always enjoy your videos 👗🧵🪡🥰

[@sewamelia]

Thank you so much Sharon, I am so glad you liked the pattern suggestions in the video. I hope you enjoy making some blouses for the summer!

[@maureencullen1008]

I loved all your made blouses they all looked beautiful.I also liked your choices of blouses to make.I love the idea of the smocking on the Mabel blouse especially the colours you've used.Would you have to make a button placket for the front of the blouse as the smocking won't stretch the same way as shirring does?

[@sewamelia]

Thank you so much Maureen! So far the smocking seems to be stretching ok, so I will just make up the pattern as normal I think!

[@MomShots]

I loved this video. These are great pattern choices and your choices for each of the blouses are perfect. I am excited to sew some!

[@sewamelia]

Thank you so much Jessica. I hope you enjoy sewing up some blouses this season!

[@jamilehbaadarani4740]

Great inspirational video thank u Amelia

[@sewamelia]

Thank you for watching!

[@cassafrass098]

Really wonderful video! I've had my eye on the FiberMood Ermine pattern as well, and I really look forward to seeing your version. I've recently blasted my way through two Olya tops and am loving wearing them - one is color blocked, and one I played with stripe placement, and both are so cute. I'm also hoping to purchase Vivan Shao Chen's Nepheline blouse and make one up in a light linen for our cooler spring and summer days coming up.

[@sewamelia]

Those are two patterns I have my eye on too - so many beautiful blouses out there. I love Vivian Shao Chen's patterns - I'd love to hear how you find sewing the Nepheline blouse!

[@08curacao]

Love this video! Such great inspiration 😊

[@sewamelia]

Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed it!

[@macquadj]

I really love all your makes, especially the ones for your Mom. Quick question…I often see you wearing head bands that I think match your outfits. If so, would you mind sharing the pattern? I love using up scraps of fabric for headbands and scrunches for my granddaughters and myself. 😊

[@sewamelia]

Thank you Donna, I am glad you enjoyed the video! I make my headbands using a tutorial I found on Instagram from @BringingSewingBack. I hope you enjoy making your headbands!

[@macquadj]

@@sewamelia Thanks Amelia!

[@sandrajohn5415]

Thanks for sharing

[@sewamelia]

Thanks for watching!

[@emma__sews]

Croftmill have a great broderie anglaise fabric at the moment 😊

[@sewamelia]

Thanks!

[@ChristineSewsALot]

Lovely

[@sewamelia]

Thank you Christine!

[@denisedagnone4115]

Lovely inspirations thank you 🇦🇺💗

[@sewamelia]

I'm so glad you liked the pattern suggestions!

[@cathytarapacz]

I love your style i have just purchased the marnie blouse. Can i please ask what size did you make

[@sewamelia]

Thank you so much Cathy! I sized down one size in the Marnie and made a size 3. It fits perfectly!

[@silvinhajusti]

Do you mind sharing what skirt pattern you used with the nautilus top? I am obsessed!

[@sewamelia]

Yes! It was just a half circle skirt made with the BHL circle skirt calculator - it is linked in the description box below the video. :)

[@carolinesewall9319]

Morning love your blouses But you didn’t enclose the patina noise as love that with your Camden pinafore I’m sewing bits for little girl n knitted 3 cardis always do things in 3 The dress has bunnies as the family have 5 I’m Im then going tulle a top n will let u know Do you match up the gingham when u did the red n navy dresses Take care x

[@sewamelia]

Thank you Caroline! I really enjoyed making the Patina but I just haven't worn it as much as I thought I would! So I chose these as my top 5. I don't worry too much about pattern matching gingham as the print is quite busy! If it was a large gingham though I might try.

[@Debsnewtosewing]

Hi - I loved these blouses. Any idea how I can get hold of the Marilla Walker Nautilus blouse pattern as she is no longer online? I was hoping this could be my first project as I love the look.

[@sewamelia]

It is such a lovely pattern but sadly she is no longer running her Etsy shop. It was part of a magazine, so I'm not sure if any of the fabric stores would have a hard copy. Sorry!

[@Debsnewtosewing]

Thanks so much for your reply. I've looked around but can't find it - never mind 😊

[@mcbab51]

Hi Amelia. Is it possible to lengthen the vetiver top with the ruffle a couple of inches? Love it but a bit too short for me! Also would it slip over the head without the buttons? My machine very hit and miss with buttonholes 😉

[@sewamelia]

Thanks for watching! You could definitely lengthen the Vetiver and then add on the ruffle. Perhaps if you sized up, it would slip on without buttons, but I definitely need the buttons to get mine on and off.

[@susannedembowski1576]

Before I had a machine with a button hole function, I used press studs / snaps instead. Then sewed on buttons and it looked just like a proper button placket.

[@mcbab51]

@@susannedembowski1576 great idea. Thank you 😊

[@vernakg]

What is the difference between smocking and shirring ( did I spell that correctly)?

[@knmplans]

They are very similar and some people will use the terms interchangeably, but they are different things. Shirring is done with elastic thread in the bobbin. It’s done on a machine, and provides stretch. Sometimes it’s decorative, other times it’s purely functional. Smocking is typically done by hand. There are (expensive) machines you can buy to help speed the process of creating the gathers, making sure they’re evenly spaced, etc. it can also be done by hand. While it can be done to add stretch to a fabric it often isn’t. Today it’s generally regarded as purely decorative. It’s a type of embroidery if you will. Yes, you could embroider or do decorative stitches while shirring, but it’s less of a thing. By contrast smocking is always decorative. Smocking can be a bit confusing a term in the south as well because it’s VERY popular for infant/toddler clothing. The word will be used to describe the garment, period. But only sometimes. I know, I know this isn’t making sense because it could be a girls dress or a boys shirt a person is referencing. In some instances the garment will feature traditional smocking, other times it won’t. It could literally just be a tee shirt with embroidery on the front. So confusion is fair! But the points mentioned above are the gist of it. One is mainly for stretch and/or decoration. The other is mainly for decoration, sometimes it adds stretch.

[@vernakg]

@@knmplans thank you for your response...

[@sewamelia]

Thank you for your great reply!

[@sewamelia]

Hi, as mentioned below, shirring is done by machine, with elastic thread in the bobbin. This elastic gathers the fabric in and holds it in place, allowing it to stretch to fit your body. With smocking, you pleat the fabric first, by hand or with a pleater, then embroider stitches on top with embroidery floss. These stitches are specifically designed to have a little stretch/movement in them as although the stitches are decorative, they can still stretch a little to fit the body, especially on sleeve cuffs. Smocking is usually used for decoration on children's garments nowadays, although historically it was designed as a way to give woven garments some elasticity and was used a lot for agricultural workers overgarments!

[@victoriaconstantine-cort3091]

xXX 👍👍👍

[@assuntinacardillo-zallo3090]

Smocking? What is that? Would love to see you actually doing it please. Your sleeve is beautiful! As are all your makes

[@sewamelia]

Thank you so much! I will try to do a video soon all about smocking.

[@mariadeliamontero9403]

To talk too.much,waiting for u to.make pattern

[@sewamelia]

Hi Maria. If you would like to watch a sewalong instead, there are a few of those on my channel too.

[@lizann3058]

😮 Some need to find some manners...