Taffy Blouse: Lace version

I went to the best garage sale the other weekend where I managed to pick up about 3 metres of this pretty lace for a couple bucks! I've been wanting to make a top like this for a while but the last one I tried turned into a wadder - I used a cowl neck top pattern and the underlined lace was too thick to drape nicely so this time I picked the taffy blouse with its nice simple lines

The underlining is a jersey knit and I made my own bias binding (which has rippled, anyone know why? Is it because its too wide or did I stretch it too much/not enough?). I didn't do french seams like it tells you in the instructions because with the layers of lace and knit it would have been too thick so I've just serged all the seams.

I think it turned out quite pretty, I like the flutter sleeves and how the tie can be tied at the back or front.

Colette Sewing Handbook: Taffy Blouse V2.0

Ok, second version of the Taffy Blouse - probably the biggest change I made was to use a knit for the main fabric and a chiffon just for the sleeves. I took a good 1" sway back adjustment and dropped the bust dart by an inch, graded in slightly at the waist and out a bit at the hips. I think I could have still taken more out of the lower back as I still have fabric pooling, and I need to readjust the bust dart up slightly, I think using the knit instead of a bias cut fabric changed the way it fits slightly, so I might trace one copy for knits and one for bias fabrics. I find this top a lot more practical and I know I'll wear it a lot more. I might bring the shoulders in slightly on the next version too as it has a tendency to slip around a bit.


I used hem tape for the first time, I couldn't find steam-a-seam that I see used a lot, so I got a cheaper version at Lincraft but it worked great! made stitching the hem and neckline a breeze and no rippling in sight!


I used a rolled hem on the sleeves and bias bound then turned and stitched the neckline, I probably could of got away with just serging and turning under though, but it does look nice and neat.


So I'm very happy, I saw a top nearly identical to this for sale for $59.95 at City Chic (Australian plus size shop) and I reckon I made this for under $3 - I found the knit fabric at the op shop 3m for $2 and the chiffon was on clearance at spotlight for $2 a metre and I barely used 30cm. Bargain!!

Colette Sewing Handbook: Taffy Blouse

Pattern description: Floaty blouse with flutter sleeves and bias bound edges


Size: I made a straight 18


Material used: Polkdot chiffon and a poly/cotton blend for the bias binding.


I did a rolled hem. I'm actually really happy with it, last time I tried it, it was a freaking disaster!


Well this has to be the most succesful time I've had with chiffon, let alone bias cut chiffon! I used a chalk roller to mark out the pattern pieces and really took my time cutting out. I rushed the bias binding a little bit but I don't think its noticable.

I thought the instructions were very clear, and I learned that with a french seamed garment you sew the shoulder seam, sleeves in then the side seams finally. It worked a treat and I ended up with a top that had every seam including the sleeves with a french seam.

The fabric is a bit over the top (I can just never resist polkadots, lol) but I quite like it under a vest like in the top photo, and thats the most likely way I'll wear it. Its very flattering to a curvy girl and the flutter sleeves fit so easily over larger arms. I actually forgot to add the waist ties, but they would have helped with the excess in the lower back. I've already bought the fabric for the next version, lol!