True Bias Patterns Sutton Blouse: DIY Upcycled Silk Kimono Sleeve Contrast Yoke Blouse

True Bias Sutton Blouse made from upcycled silk

Good Morning Friends,

A lovely sunny, albeit little cool, morning here. Today’s post is something a little different for me. I don’t normally do upcycling/ recycling…but I had two silk pieces languishing in my wardrobe and couldn’t bear to get rid of the beautiful fabrics, so I decided to make a blouse. First let’s take a look at the original pieces, shall we?

Me circa 3.5 years ago, wearing a silk fit and flare dress purchased online from John Lewis.

The first silk piece came from this silk fit and flare dress that I purchased about 3.5 years ago to wear to a friends wedding. I have never worn this dress since then. Why? Truthfully the fit was never perfect, it was sleeveless (don’t like sleeveless) and have not had an occassion to wear it since then.

Me about 10 years ago wearing a silk saree.

The second silk piece came from this silk saree. I know the colour in this photo looks very different to the colours of the blouse, but trust me, they are the same fabric.

True Bias Sutton Blouse made from upcycled silk

True Bias Sutton Blouse made from upcycled silk

So the pattern is of course the Sutton Blouse from True Bias. I selected this pattern specifically for this project because I knew I wouldn’t have enough of the floral dress silk to make a blouse in its entirety. You can see I used the dress silk (cut from the skirt portion) to cut the main body pieces, and some of the silk saree to cut the contrasting yoke. The silk saree is probably closest to a crepe de chine. Before anyway points it out, I made the deliberate choice to cut the main body of the blouse with the flowers pointing downwards because that was the only way I could fit the pattern pieces on to the fabric. And I am fine with that.

True Bias Sutton Blouse made from upcycled silk

In terms of the pattern itself – check out my full review below. I was dubious before starting sewing what this pattern would be like but I have to give Kelli full marks for the instructions – they are brilliant. Don’t be fooled in to thinking this is a simple sew. It is a fairly simple design, yes, but Kelli’s instructions are written specifically with sewing fine fabrics in mind and the finish is wonderful. It was actually quite a challenging sew and I learned lots doing it.

True Bias Sutton Blouse made from upcycled silk – inside finish – neckline finished with silk bias facing, yoke seams sewn with french seams and side seam neatened with overlocking.

Another thing I wanted to point out is that I pre-washed my fabrics. I don’t do dry cleaning, unless it is something I know I will only wear occassionally. I would not take a silk blouse to be dry cleaned every couple of weeks. So even though the dress was labelled as dry-clean only I pre-washed it, together with the saree using a silk specific detergent and a colour catcher sheet. I did get a little bit of bleeding but not that you would notice much. Don’t try and wash silk or wool with a detergent which contains biological enzymes – they will destroy your fabric!

Pattern Review

Pattern Description:
The Sutton Blouse is a loose fitting V-neck top with kimono sleeves, a one piece yoke, and a back inverted pleat. The back is longer than the front and includes slits at both of the lower side seams.
Pattern Sizing:
0 – 18
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Instructions are top notch. I am a fan of Big 4 patterns – anyone that reads my blog knows that – but if this were a Big 4 pattern it would not tell you how to finish the insides the way the instructions for this particular pattern do. The inside finish is beautiful. This is probably a slightly challenging sew simply because of the kind of fabrics you are likely to use to make this top, but if you follow the instructions you will end up with a beautifully finished and constructed piece.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I love the finished top – so light and comfortable and easy to wear. I didn’t like the fact that there were no finished measurements provided and also I would have liked a neck to waist measurement to be given. Kelli (the designer) tells me she is looking into adding the finished measurements to future patterns.
Fabric Used:
Upcycled silk from a silk dress and a silk saree.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
Aside from adding 1 inch to the length of the pattern and maybe an inch at the hips – nothing.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

Maybe and yes.

Conclusion:

Very pleased that these beautiful fabrics have found a new lease of life in a more wearable garment. Great easy to wear piece.

True Bias Sutton Blouse made from upcycled silk

Have a great week ahead everyone!

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