2.23.2015

The Anna Blouse Pattern



I am so happy you are here!  Today I am launching  my first Apparel Sewing Pattern - The Anna Blouse.  It is a flattering style and perfect for the advanced beginner / intermediate sewist.  I will teach you how to sew French Seams and add Bias Trim the easy way!



The pattern includes instructions to make a short sleeve version with a keyhole detail.



Or a long sleeve version with a keyhole detail.
I love this long sleeve version made with Frock Rayon by Cotton + Steel. 


You will also find instructions for making short and long sleeve versions with a tie detail.


The fabric for the version pictured is from Cloud 9 fabrics and can be found HERE.



It has been a long journey starting with the blouse you see pictured above that I made for the Palos Verdes Cloud 9 fabric challenge over at Sew Mama Sew last year.  I knew then that I wanted to create women's clothing patterns for sale. 


My goal is to help you create a hand made wardrobe that looks professionally sewn, with pieces that you love and will wear again and again.


My Anna Blouse includes a pattern for assembling at home as well as a pattern you can send to your local print shop.  I am so excited to offer this option for those of you who would rather print out your pattern on one page!



After much deliberation and feedback from my lovely Instagram friends, I decided to illustrate all the sewing instructions instead of using photos.  
All my instructions are clear, concise and easy to follow.  I will also host a sew along starting March 3rd which will supplement the illustrations featuring photographed instructions and tips.


A little about my background ~
My first sewing love is making clothes.  I worked as a fashion designer for women's clothing for over 20 years and was a founding designer for the lines Halogen at Nordstrom and Sergio Valente for Union Bay.  I studied Apparel Design at Seattle Central Community College where I learned to make and grade patterns, and sew garments ranging from tailored jackets to jeans!  I even produced a line of clothing that I sold in a Seattle Boutique early in my career.

Sewing has been an integral part of my life since I started sewing barbie doll clothes when I was six years old.  It seemed like a natural progression to design clothing patterns for home sewers as I learned to sew clothing from clothing patterns when I was just twelve years old.

You can find The Anna on Etsy HERE.

You can find the Anna Sew Along Schedule HERE.  There is also a button on my sidebar - click on the picture and you will be directed to the Sew Along Page.

Please share your photos in my Let's Make an Anna Blouse Flickr Group and tag you pics on IG with the hashtag #AnnaBlouse.

xo
Charise



6 comments:

  1. I tested this pattern for Charise and can honestly say that it is very well written. The diagrams are helpful and clear. The finished product has a professional finish. You won't be disappointed!

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  2. I just bought the Anna blouse and am looking forward to the sew along. Thanks!

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  3. I love this pattern but am so sad. It needs to be a little larger.

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  4. Printing out the pattern today! I cannot wait to sew it up - it is such a beautiful blouse!

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  5. Charise, I love Halogen! And I'm so excited that you're doing garment patterns now. I just signed up for some garment sewing, fitting, pattern alterations classes at a sewing and quilt expo in Atlanta in mid March. I'm determined to knock down the hurdles that keep me from sewing for myself -- and you are such an inspiration. This blouse is adorable and I look forward to seeing the other patterns you come up with. Question: instead of using the bias tape maker to make the binding, could I use my Bernina Bias Binder contraption to fold and stitch the neckline ties in one step? I bought that presser foot and two different binding width attachments years ago and have never used it for anything.

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  6. I wish this pattern was in plus size too. It does look flattering. Thanks for sharing.

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