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!