Monday, August 22, 2011

Blouse Burda 7770

I made this blouse earlier this summer and have worn it quite a lot. When the weather is hot and humid,  I prefer a sleeveless over blouse. They tend not to show the rivulets of perspiration running down my body as readily as a  close fitting knit top.



Burda 7770 – princess seam blouse with  extended sleeve and an asymmetrical opening. This  Burda pattern has been around since 2007, so I was really surprised that there wasn’t already a review in blog land.  Burda envelope patterns are printed with seam allowances, and finished garment measurement for hip and bust on printed on the pattern pieces just like the big 4. The only thing I don’t like about the Burda envelope patterns is that the cutting layouts are printed on the pattern tissue, not on the instruction sheets. I often want to see the layout before I open up the pattern tissue. And from years of using big 4 pattern brands,  I am programmed to rough cut around the pattern pieces and throw away the pattern tissue scraps.

The fabric I used for this blouse is a cotton print remnant purchased at JoAnn Fabrics. The colors and floral motifs of the print reminds me of a piece of fabric my mother had in the early 70’s. The blouse on the pattern envelope front looks a bit small in the bust on the model. I checked the finished garment measurement of the bust printed on the pattern pieces and there was a 2 inch difference between it and mine (wearing ease). I thought that would be enough, but when I tried on the completed blouse it was tight in the bust area and I am not a busty gal. I reduced the seam allowance in the princess seam to 3/8 inch over the bust to give me a bit more room.
The asymmetrical front opening is faced, Easy peasy sewing.The only issue I had was, because I was using a remnant that was less than the recommended yardage, I had a difficult time finding a piece of the fabric with the right shape and size for the asymmetrical facing. Don’t tell, but it is slightly off grain. The blouse required 7 buttons and I had 8. I sewed the extra button to the inside side seam allowance, as is done on RTW men’s shirts, so it would be handy if I lost a button.



There is a very similar blouse in the Burda Style magazine 06-2007 issue, # 112 and 113, with the same asymmetrical front band/closure. However the magazine blouse has darts instead of princess seams, and either cap sleeves or long sleeves  instead of extended sleeves. The long sleeve version is featured in the detailed sewing course section. The magazine pattern would probably be easier to sew/alter and  give the same look.
I wear the blouse with several different bottoms; white RTW jeans, and culottes and capris which I made. More on the latter garments in the next post. This is a picture of me wearing the blouse  while giving a presentation at an ASG meeting. The  presentation topic was planning a SWAP (Sewing with a Plan) around a garment already in your wardrobe .


30 comments:

  1. Your blouse is beautiful - that cotton print is so fresh and pretty and looks lovely worn with white. I love the style - the asymmetrical front opening is really nice looking.

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  2. Love this blouse - you are such a talented seamstress!
    michele P

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  3. Pretty blouse, and I bet you give a great SWAP planning talk!

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  4. Love it with your white pants.
    Very chic. Simple and elegant.

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  5. The blouse is gorgeous. I really like the asymmetrical closing. I just found out there is an ASG group in my town and joined. Haven't been to a meeting yet.

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  6. That is very pretty!!! The fabric looks very Libery of London. I really love the button detail. I need to learn to SWAP.

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  7. It is very pretty. Cute pattern too.

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  8. What a great design and you did is lovely justice!

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  9. Wonderful top. That fabric is so pretty. Looks terrific with your while slacks!

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  10. Beautiful blouse and love the fabric.

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  11. I have actually traced this off from the magazine and have yet to complete the muslin. Yours looks lovely. I really like the idea of the asymmetric front.
    Love your sewing.

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  12. It's funny, as soon as I saw your blouse I said to myself "that pattern was in the magazine", then I read the rest of your post =)

    Your blouse is very pretty and fits you very well.

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  13. I second the other comments - very pretty and fresh looking - I can see a few more of these being made now on PR!

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  14. Beautiful blouse, I love the additional sleeves, so cute and original! In fact all the details of the blouse are original, asymmetrical closure, and so on. And the print is so romantic .... love it!

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  15. Your blouse looks lovely, I really like it paired with your white pants. The asymmetrical front band is a nice twist on a classic piece.

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  16. The blouse is lovely, and it goes so well with your coloring!

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  17. I like that blouse on you so much. I enjoy sewing Burda patterns, but usually wait to buy them until I've seen them made up and worn by "real" people. From your photos, the sleeve band looks as if it will cover my middle-aged armpits enough that I might dare wear this garment in public without an overblouse -- not at all clear from the technical drawing. I live in north central NC, in the same climate as you, so your blog is most helpful in guiding my pattern choices. Thanks!

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  18. What a pretty blouse in an equally pretty fabric. I am going to have to keep my eye out for that pattern. I love the twist on a classic blouse .

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  19. That's very pretty. I like that cap sleeve, and the print is gorgeous.

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  20. That looks like a pretty pattern, and your fabric reminds me of 70s dresses... Thanks for the heads up about the similar Burda magazine pattern - that issue hasn't hit the newsagents here yet!

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  21. Really lovely blouse - the fabric is so pretty. I love that assymetric placket and have been eyeing the Burda magazine pattern for a while.

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  22. Very pretty! I love your print and the unusual style.

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  23. I'm really attracted to this blouse - especially the sweep across the bust. 2007 was great year for Burda. I'm trying to get my hands on some magazines from this time. I started collecting in 2008. Weep!

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  24. This is a very pretty blouse. I love all the details and it looks like a great fit on you too.

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  25. Lovely blouse; the color and design of it are especially nice for comfortable warm weather clothing.

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  26. Great blouse for summer! I remember that style from the magazine -- very flattering.

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  27. This is a lovely summer print blouse. I like this style and it fits you so well.

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  28. I truly love this blouse! I am particularly noticing the sleeves...perfect summer blouse, and it looks so nice on you, Audrey!

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  29. I really like this blouse pattern, and the fabric you used is so perfect for summer. I think I need to get this one too. I love how Burda patterns fit me. Thanks for sharing this one!

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  30. Ah, I'm really glad you reviewed this pattern! I've had it in my stash for a while but I've never made it because I was a bit worried that the sleeves might make it too Star Trek-y. It looks great on you, though, so I may have to try it out before it's too cold for short sleeves!

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