Sew Along
Announcing the Rita Blouse Sew Along!
Sep
Hello sewing friends, and welcome to my new blog! I’m thrilled that the very first thing I’ll be doing here is hosting a sew-along for my new Charm Patterns Rita Blouse. This is a perfectly vintage peasant blouse that pairs well with pants and skirts alike! I named it for Hollywood starlet Rita Moreno. She’s just the kind of glam but sassy lady who would wear this top. The design has a flattering elasticized neckline that can be worn on or off the shoulder, a choice of elasticized or flutter cap sleeves, a fitted midriff with princess seams, and an invisible side zipper for a smooth finish.
How It Works
What’s a sew-along, you ask? It’s a virtual sewing event when a group of like-minded enthusiasts makes the same pattern together. I will be posting step-by-step instructions and advice here on this blog, and you can also join the Facebook Group Gertie’s Rita Blouse Sew-Along. The Facebook group is totally optional, but it’s a great place to ask questions, meet new sewing friends, and post your Rita pictures.
Here’s the sew-along schedule
9/22: Supplies and Fabric
9/25: Picking Your Size
9/28: Cutting, Marking, and Serging
10/2: Sewing! Steps 1-5 (Princess seams. gathers, underbust seam, stabilizing the zipper opening)
10/5: Steps 6-8 (Prepping and inserting the invisible zipper)
10/9: Steps 9-15 (Sleeves and elastic casings)
10/12: Steps 14 and 15 (Testing the fit and finishing the casings)
10/16: Step 16 (Hemming)
Feel free to sew at your own pace! Stick with the schedule or race ahead if you’re feeling confident. Or, if you lag behind, no big deal! The posts and Facebook group will always be around for you to reference once you have more time to sew.
For now, all you need to do is buy your Rita Blouse pattern, join the Facebook group if you like, and start thinking about fabric! All the info like recommended fabrics and required yardage are on the envelope back as well as on the Rita Blouse page.
I hope you’ll join me!
Very excited to sew a Rita blouse! Congratulations on the beautiful new blog. x o x
Thank you! Excited to have you join in! xoxo
Great! I’ll be sewing along with my second Rita blouse. I think it will be good for me to sew at the pace set here and learn all that you choose to share.
If I am asked to make this blouse for someone do you have restrictions along those lines, Gertie!
Thank you and cheers,
Lyric
I saw your first, it looked great! And yes, absolutely feel free to sew it for others. The more Ritas, the merrier! xoxo
I really like your new blog. Thank you for including the info from the back of the envelope. It answered all my questions. I am looking forward to participating in my second sew-along. 🙂
Yay, welcome! 🙂
Yay! I have never done a zipper before and this shit is way to cute so I am super ex it’s about this sew along!
A sew-along is the perfect opportunity to try out new skills! 🙂
I can’t wait to make it. I really like your new line of patterns and the blog.
Thank you so much! xo
My DD requested one too… After seeing mine 😂😂
Love the new blog home!
Mother/daughter Ritas, I love it!
Gertie- I am not an avid sewer. It is a side hobby… that I rarely indulge in. But I have been reading your blog for years and love looking and the beautiful creations you have made. I have the pattern and can not wait to break out my sewing machine and get back to sewing. So excited for this sew along!!!
Hi Gertie! I have the pattern and am excited to join in the sewalong (as time permits!) but have a question: will you give a hint of how to do a SBA for us tinier gals? I’ve been sewing for a while, but am still mystified by different patterns and any help would be appreciated. Thanks a bunch and congrats on the new blog!