I'm so conflicted, I really want to love this pattern but have some issues that need to be resolved. Namely in the two days I've worn this top more then three people have seen my bra, time to invest in vests?
The Pattern
I quickly snapped up the Anderson Blouse when it was first released with a special offer.
The instructions are sparser then I usually like my instructions and I got confused during the collar and cuff construction but it was still a quick and fun sew.
The Fabric
This was some very cheap (I was told cotton but for £1 a meter really!?!) fabric I got from the man outside Sainsburys in Walthamstow. I love the colour and it was my first fabric shopping trip where I bought no prints, only sensible solids.
This fabric drapes beautifully but is so thin, this is purely a summer top. Unfortunately, when I was cutting out the fabric, I used a few thick pins which left small holes in some of the the fabric D: #sewinghorrorstory
The Fit
This fabric was so cheap I used it for a toile and sewed up a straight, no adjustments, size 10. I usually size up for SOI patterns but reading around, people said this pattern comes out big so I stayed with my measured size. This has some problems, the blouse all at once feels too tight for my shoulders and yet I feel surrounded by too much fabric.
There is so much fabric in the sleeves and I've read about some people going a size smaller with this pattern because they wanted it with less fabric but, for me, I think it would be too tight on my shoulders. If I do this top with sleeves again I would also need to shorten the sleeves.
I really didn't want to hand stitch the front together because I wanted the top to flow around me but you will expose yourself without hand stitching the front together. Even with hand stitching once I sat down and my belly popped out, I think that's just the gamble you take with a top like this.
Another annoyance was that the gathered shoulders kept on falling backwards and would not properly sit on my shoulders whilst I was walking or with the wind. I felt like I was constantly readjusting myself. I'm not sure what I can do to fix that.
I've not given up on this pattern and a sleeveless version is on my list because I've gotten so many compliments of this blouse.
Alterations
One detail most people agree on is that the drawstring tie at the end of the blouse adds too much bulk around the waist and is largely unflattering. I also got rid of the drawstring and used two snap fasteners there instead.
Just as I was pondering what kind of tall, thin goodness could possibly get away with wearing this top with the drawstring bottom without looking pregnant. It hit me. This would make an awesome maternity top! When I (eventually) get pregnant this blouse is on the top of my list.
I've read people who find this top unflattering but I really like it on them. I think this type of top looks better on then you feel in it. Hefty yet elegant are the words I'ld say I feel in this blouse.
The blouse really doesn't stand up to an active and windy day. The second time I wore this blouse, with a high waisted skirt, the hand stitching broke and I basically spent the day as a flasher. However, I think I will wear this blouse a lot because it is so comfortable and it looks lovely.
Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting a whole bunch of lovely sewing ladies (Alexa, Ana, Elena, Nina, Alex, Gabby and more) because of cocowawa crafts GBSB meet up. Watching the Sewing Bee with people as hyped about sewing as me was wonderful. I'm definitely going next week and if you're in London I would say pop in and see what it's like.
Happy sewing xx
Thanks you! After seeing this top in knit, on the Sew Over It Vlog, I was gonna go and make it up but now I’ll dave myself the trouble and future flashing problems and stick with a heavier woven fabric. I’ll add more stitches too because I feel like I’m gambling with fate everytime I wear this top haha 🙂
Thank you, I think I need to just finally accept that Sew Over It patterns for my body are gonna need a lot of adjustments. The colour really sold me on buying this fabric, I just wish it wasn’t so thin!
Oop, you posted this awhile ago, but I just wanted to say that I have quite a few rtw tops in this style and I have similar problems! The wrap drapes too low, I accidentally flash my bra/stomach/the whole kit and caboodle and the shoulders of one of my blouses slide forward. I have this style in knit and woven (I got kind of addicted for a bit) and the knit one is the worst, I have to have a friend on flash patrol all day long if I’m sitting down. I ended up doing a few little stitches along the wrap because I wanted to keep wearing it without the hassle.
I’ve heard a few fitting woes about the Anderson blouse but it really does look elegant! And is a wonderful colour on you.
Thanks! Def adding these to the end of a very long sewing list… 🙂
Yes the shoulders were massive. I always have to do a narrow shoulder adjustment anyway but I ended up going down to size zero on the shoulders – at least something of me is a size zero!
I’m definitely gonna try a pop stud, thank you!! because I tried a hook and eye but it was so visible! I never even thought of a pop stud. I might try anther size down but did yours keep on falling off the shoulders?
It was lovely to see you! I hope I see you again tonight or another time. This top is a really nice sunday sew. 🙂
It is such a shame because inside, sitting still it looks lovely but as soon as a move..full frontal bra :/ not what I want! haha the sleeves are the easiest thing to fix and I’m going to try a snap for the front. I’ll keep going and hopefully find the right adaptations because it is a lovely blouse! 🙂
Thank you! hope to see you again soon and actually have a chat! are you going to the stash swap in June? 🙂
haha well if it would look better with a cocktail I need to arrange to go out for drinks 😉 thank you, I’m now always on the look out for a nice wall haha 🙂
I know this top is such a shame! Yes try and make it!! even if it’s just for the finals! 🙂 xx
Thank you!! number two is probably gonna be in jersey which I’m excited about 🙂
haha no problem I love this skirt and unfortunately it was a charity shop wonder. However burda has a nice pattern that reminds me of it (but it’s shorts), that I really want to make http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/wrap-shorts-062014
also https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01CI5C1OC/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=569136327&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00BTK2M88&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=GY0KCYE96JJA0C259CWB
is very similar.
I’m definitely gonna try viscose because the fabric I used creases so much! Now I sew my mum thinks I’m her personal seamstress and is so not interested in even making a pillow..although she wants me to make her five 0.o hahaha
Haha! Maybe show her something really simple to start her off.
Maybe try your blouse in a viscose. I love how viscose fabrics drapes so well!
Thank you so much lovely! 💕
Thank you! It is a toile so I knew it wouldn’t be perfect but I wish I lived somewhere less windy!! haha 🙂
Thank you, I really love the colour!
I was thinking of cutting a size bigger at the neck so it sits better?? I’ve not got a rtw of this kinda top so I was wondering if it was just the way it was. I’m glad there’s hope of it sitting nicely somehow!
Its so wonderful to be able to talk with other people who sew and geek out together! Im desperately trying to get my mum sewing also but she just won’t haha xx
Thank you! I bought the fabric especially for its colour. Next time i must shorten the sleeves! Thanks for the idea, I think adding a snap is the way to go. I sewed in a hook and eye and that stayed in well but was so visible! So I’m sure a snap will work. Thanks 🙂 xx
Thank you! and I love your blog, sustainability is the whole reason I started sewing and it’s great there are blogs like yours getting started 🙂 xx
Yes i love the colour too and the cut!
I love this skirt! Do you have a pattern or is it RTW? The top looks lovely too BTW, just got excited about the shape of the skirt 🙂
You look lovely as always in your photo shoot and I wish you all the best to fix those fit issues for Anderson blouse #2.
Can I be honest? No. Will have to look up details of the GBSB meet up and see if I can join you 😘
Your photos make this blouse look spectacular! Love the colour on you. I think it would look great with a cocktail!🍸
You look so gorgeous in these photos! x
It does look good but, with so many issues like the too long sleeves, shoulders slipping backwards and the front revealing all in the wind, how can it be comfortable to wear? I hope you can sort the fit for the next one because it really does suit you and it seems to be a pattern with the potential to be fabulous.
Wow! This outfit looks amazing on you. I also bought this blouse at its launch but I’ve yet to make it up. Was lovely to meet you the other night too-see you Monday.
I’ve been using this top for breastfeeding and found it a classy alternative to many nursing tops. I’ve had to size down at least 2 sizes though. I’ve also put a pop stud where the stitches are meant to go. It holds really well.
Op
The top looks really pretty! I can totally understand your mixed feelings about it though, I remember quite vividly how once when I was at working and talking with a client my wrap top started to unwrap… really no fun (well, a little bit, in hindsight 🙂 The color of the fabric is lovely, anyway!
I think this looks lovely. What a shame you don’t feel 100% about it… It really suits you and does look elegant 🙂
Lovely colour and style of top, but I’m with you on the fit….if it’s hard work wearing it then it puts me off. Although I have rtw wrap tops that also sit badly, but some sit well??
So pleased you enjoyed your visit to the gbsb meet up, it sounds like fun and great to meet others who sew!
What a lovely color… The fit looks good. The only thing I see (really minor issue) is that the sleeves are long and a bit too loose from the elbow down to your wrist. Just an idea about the flashing…I’ve seen snaps sewn in the front of wrap blouses. I do not know if it could work with such delicate fabric though. Keep us posted!
Love your outfit! x
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