You've seen the gorgeous Mathilde Blouse sewing pattern released by Tilly and the Buttons yesterday, right? Well, don't be too jealous, but I was one of the lucky pattern testers!!! I was so shocked when Tilly asked me, but I was determined to nail this sweet little number and I'm really pleased with the result.
The pattern itself was lovely to work with and came together fairly quickly and easily - thanks to the most comprehensive instructions I have ever had the pleasure of following. Tilly has outdone herself regarding the quality and the detail of her instructions which actually felt more like a sewalong - in fact I think she's planning on using them as a bit of a sewalong here. Unusually for me, I didn't have to make any adjustments to get a great fit! I just cut a size 3 for the main bodice and a size 2 for the shoulders, neckline, armholes and sleeves.
Mathilde has a number of dreamy details that are hard to resist - back buttons, front yoke, frothy sleeves and tasty tucks. On the tasty tuck front, there are two rows of three tucks on the front bodice and I would seriously recommend practising on a muslin first if they're a first for you. Don't worry, they're not hard, just a bit fiddly...especially when using slippery fabric. Tilly offers some great advice for handling the tucks with slippery fabric, but I would also add that I pressed, pinned and sewed each tuck individually. This took a bit of time, but worked out really well.
I squeezed the blouse out of some fine, 1960s cotton voile that I bought in Cyprus. It's really sheer and I didn't want to ruin the look of the blouse by wearing a cami/vest underneath, so I underlined the bodice with cotton lawn. Although this compromised a bit of the voile's drape, the result is still lovely...so I think I got away with it. I left the sleeves unlined and I'm fond of how delicate they look.
Just proving that my tucks do really exist!
Normally, white's really not my 'thing', but I'm pleasantly surprised by how this turned out. I've already worn it a couple of times and it's received plenty of compliments, which is always nice. For me, this pattern's a winner and I'd like to make another version with shorter sleeves too. Thank you Tilly for inviting me to be a part of your exciting process!
What do you think to the Mathilde Blouse sewing pattern?
If you need further convincing of its brilliance, check out Tilly's Maker Gallery for more delicious versions...
This is super adorable! There are so many features I love about this pattern though on your version it is the sleeves and buttons on the back! Gorgeous fabric as well :D
ReplyDeleteMarie, what a beautiful blouse! Your choice of fabric is perfect and its a special use of special fabric, i like the delicate sheer sleeves and I think white looks good on you. I really like this pattern too, nothing like a front yoke and back buttons. Gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteThanks a million Winnie, I think Mathilde would be a very cute little number on you too!
DeleteThat's a lovely blouse, very romantic. I am desperately seeking nice top patterns, this could be tempting.
ReplyDeleteGo for it...if only so that you can follow Tilly's excellent instructions ;o)
DeleteI'm impressed for 3 reasons.
ReplyDelete1. This style is great. You've nailed it.
2. White is a great colour on you
3. The tucks were worth the effort.
Make it 4 reasons:
4. You bought this fabric in Cyprus. That's where my parents are from :)
I live in hope to take DH there in a few years time.
I'm from Cyprus, how cool is that!?! Thanks so much for the kind words!
DeleteGorgeous!!! I am falling more and more in love with this top with each new version I see. I am a sucker for back buttons too!
ReplyDeleteGo for it Kat, it's a lovely and versatile pattern!
DeleteI love this, it looks so adorable in every material/colour.. which is why I've bought the pattern and hopefully mine will look just as smooth:)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it will!!!
DeleteWow, nice! I love the contrast of the underlined top with the sheer sleeves... so lovely and romantic. Well done! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, I'm really pleased with that contrast too.
DeleteWhat a gorgeous blouse!! I love the drapey voile - it looks smashing on you :)
ReplyDeleteAaaw, thanks Sarah!
Deletebeautiful! I love it in white with the sheer sleeves - it looks kind of like a 70's peasant-blouse, which is a look I've always LOVED!
ReplyDeleteNow that you say it, I can totally see the 70s vibe and I don't even mind it considering I'm not the biggest 70s fan!
DeleteI love it!!! The stripes are very nice. Classic :) Can't wait to try this one for myself!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteDreamy is the word. You look amazing in this. I love how you did the lining, while leaving the sleeves sheer. Major kudos to you for the tucking work! Wow.
ReplyDeleteThanks Shelley...the tucks were fiddly, but well worth the effort!
DeleteMarie this os so beautiful! Definitely my favourite version of this blouse - you look amazing!
ReplyDeleteAaaw, thank you very much!
DeleteIt's totally gorgeous, Marie. I think you should definitely reconsider your statement that "white is not your thing". It's totally your thing! You looked amazing in the Watch this Lace blouse, and you look like a grecian goddess in this one.
ReplyDeleteWow, thanks Adrienne...you're too kind! I definitely don't dislike the white, so I could become a convert ;o) Are you going to try this pattern, I think it would look great on you!
DeleteWow that's really nice! I love how you've used the striped fabric - contrast direction for yoke, and striped fabric with pintucks! Neat! And those see-through sleeves are so refined.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for noticing the directional stripes...I'm really pleased with how that looks too!
DeleteIt's beautiful Marie! I love the semi-transparent look of the sleeves too :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Claire!
DeleteIt's lovely! You must have laughed when I sent you photos of my lace blouse - the patterns and makes are VERY similair. I feel as though I've already had two practice goes and can't wait to get stuck into Tilly's pattern.
ReplyDeleteYep, your blouse did make me chuckle...it's really similar! You definitely have a head start with Mathilde as you have practically sewed it before ;o) Can't wait to see your version!
DeleteI really like your blouse! The fabric is beautiful - white will go with everything. I agree with your decision to add underlining too, good call!
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely beautiful! I saw it on Tilly's Makers Gallery and was hoping you'd do a post about it :-) The underlining/sheer sleeves is just perfect, and so is the fit and style on you. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, you're too kind!
DeleteIt's really lovely, Marie. I love the sheer sleeves, too!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sabs!
DeleteYour top is gorgeous, I love your fabric, and the underlining is genius. I have a (possibly stupid!) question re the underlining. Did you underline the front piece before or after making the tucks? I ask because I have the perfect fabric for this top and have already bought the pattern. My fabric is verging on sheer, and, after reading your post, underlining sounds like a great idea. Don't worry if you don't get a chance to answer, and thanks for the idea! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Liz! I don't know if my method is correct by any means, but I underlined my bodice after making the tucks. So my fashion fabric has tucks and my lining doesn't...hope this makes sense and is helpful!
DeleteThat makes perfect sense. Thank you for taking the time to reply to me! :)
DeleteNo problem, just glad it makes sense ;o)
DeleteHello! Several months later, I'm wondering the same thing. So, did you cut the lining minus the tucks? I am also intending to line the bodice, but have cut my lining the same size as fashion fabric, so think I've messed up there! :(
DeleteYes, I cut my lining minus the tucks. It shouldn't be a huge problem that you cut your lining the same as your fashion fabric, as it's always easier when you've cut something too big. Why don't you make the tucks in your fashion fabric, then place it on top of your lining fabric and re-cut the lining accordingly?
DeleteGreat idea thanks!
DeleteSorry - another question: did treat it as underlining from there on? So did you sew lining and fashion fabric as one at eg side sleeves? Or did you treat it more as a lining and sew them seperatly? Thanks!
New to your blog via Katy at Sleek Silhouette. Lovely blog and am now following you via Bloglovin.
Thanks Helen - I saw Katy today and she told me about you ;o)
DeleteYou're spot on - after cutting everything out, I treated it as underlining. So I pinned the fashion fabric and lining together, making sure to smooth it all out as I went along.
Hope this helps, but feel free to ask as many questions as you like!
Brilliant, and yes this was what I envisioned in my head, although not what Katy did with hers.
DeleteGosh, how nice but slightly strange to think that 2 people I've never met, were talking about me! Gutted I am too far away to join you guys! Sounds like it was loads of fun!
Thanks again!
LOVE. Love the sheer sleeves and the underlined bodice, and those delightful buttons, and all of the other fantastic details of this blouse. Your version is completely perfect!
ReplyDeleteAaaaw, thanks Meg!
DeleteLucky! Your blouse came out beautifully. I love the sheer white combined with the pop of color from the buttons! I can't wait to make mine!
ReplyDeleteThanks very much, can't wait to see the many versions that I think will pop up everywhere!
DeleteLove this on you! What a perfect blouse!
ReplyDeleteIt looks very pretty in the light voile.
ReplyDeleteI really love this pattern! It's testing my attempts to stick to my sewi g plan without getting hijacked by cute makes from blogs!
ReplyDeleteIt is beautyfull! I have seen your Mathilde blouse many times, and I knew I wanted to make one of my own. And now I did, but it is a tad to tight over the chest. I am starting to thing I may have trased the wrong pattern size...I used size 4, and I think that I shoul go at least one, maybe to sizes up. (you can see the to small blouse here: http://trollemors-hverdag.blogspot.no/2013/05/my-mathilde-blouse-and-giveaway.html ) That leaves me whit the biggest size! And I am not a big girl... (in my mind at least). I see you used size 2 and 3... may I ask what size you use in store-bought clothes? *pardon me...*
ReplyDeleteHi there and thanks for your lovely comments about my Mathilde. I'm sorry your version (which is beautiful by the way) ended up a bit tight around the chest...that's strange! Maybe you have broad shoulders/back, even though you're a slim build? I have a large chest, but very narrow shoulders and back, so I think that's why the 2/3 size fit me. In shops, I usually buy tops that are a size UK 10 or 12. I hope this helps!?!
DeleteHmm thats strange... i am allso a size 12, sometimes 14. But still, should that leave me whit the biggest size? I thing I will ask Tilly and see what she thinks. After all she made ut, so she probably has an idea on the smallest to the biggest size, and what to compare them to...
ReplyDeleteHmmm, hope Tilly can help you!
Delete