I have a tendency to sew a lot of dresses because I just feel like dresses are more flattering to my shape. But I’ve been trying to find flattering silhouettes for tops and pants that work for me as well. And peplum tops or tops cinched at the waist seem to work best for me. So when I came across this poncho blouse pattern, I felt like it would be a good fit.

Pattern: Simplicity Pattern 8593 Misses' Vintage Poncho Blouses

Fabric: Tobacco Microsuede from Joann

Style: Wrap Shirt

Vintage/Contemporary: Vintage

Original/Reproduction: Reproduction

Era: 1940’s

Pattern Edits:

I added a front and back lining to the shirt. It wasn’t necessary. But I like using linings over using interfacing around the neck.

Lessons Learned:

1. When cutting the pattern, I somehow missed the deep slit in the front neckline…twice (because I had to cut it for the front panel and the front lining. So I sewed the shirt all the way up, thought I was done, and couldn’t understand why the neck hole was so God damn small and why I couldn’t get it over my head. I had to take the shirt almost all the way apart just to fix my mistake. It was egregious but it wasn’t the worst mistake I’ve ever made while sewing.

2. I need to add about two inches of length to the bodice of any pattern. I have a long torso and because of it a lot of my tops end up being cropped way more than I want them to.

I think I want to make this in a print. The fabric that I used can be worn in every season but summer. I’ll likely go with a Hawaiian-inspired print next time. Note, this pattern was suer easy and can be used to rid yourself of extra fabric as you likely won’t need more than a yard and a half to complete it.

Follow us on Twitter @FlairHuxtable, Instagram @Flair.Huxtable and @HomeBrewedLove, and Facebook at @Flair Huxtable! Then buy Lo’s first book, “The Semester,” HERE!

The Road to a #MeMade Wardrobe: Simplicity (8593)

Pattern Edits:

Lessons Learned: