Rita Blouse Sew-Along 1: Supplies and Fabric

Hi all! Are you ready to gather your supplies? Here’s what you’ll need.

The Pattern

First grab your pattern. Here’s a little video tour through the pattern envelope! If you ordered the PDF version, this info is all the first few pages of your file. (You can also find most of this information on the Charm Patterns website.)

Fabric

Next, let’s talk fabric. My absolute favorite fabrics for this blouse are rayons and lightweight cottons like lawn or voile. You can use a heavier cotton like quilters cotton or sateen, but keep in mind that those fabrics are better suited to View A, the elasticized sleeve. View B, the flutter sleeve, works best in a fabric with a soft drape. If you want to go dressier, try a lightweight silk like crepe de chine (but keep in mind that this will be more challenging to sew).

Some of my current choices include these prints from my new collection at Spotlight Stores. The bottom two are rayon challis and the top is a cotton poplin.

Supplies

Here’s the official supply list:

  • Fabric (see yardage chart)
  • 2 yards of 1/4-inch-wide (6 mm) braided elastic
  • 12-inch (30-cm) invisible zipper
  • Thread to match your fabric
  • About 1/4 yard fusible interfacing or roll of 1 2-inch-wide (30 cm) fusible stay tape to stabilize zipper opening
  • 3 small safety pins for threading elastic through casings

And here’s a video talking you through the supplies.

Fusible Stay Tape

I mention fusible stay tape in the video; it’s what I use to stabilize all my zipper openings (this prevents stretching and buckling when you’re sewing the zipper). My favorite product for this is Emma Seabrooke’s Extremely Fine Fusible Knit Stay Tape in 1-1/4″ width. However, it’s just as easy to buy tricot knit fusible interfacing yardage and cut it into strips.

Invisible Zipper Foot

I use an invisible zipper in this blouse because it creates the smoothest finish. A regular zipper may cause buckling on the side of the blouse, so I really recommend the invisible in this instance. (I am a longtime advocate of the lapped regular zipper for most projects, so if I use an invisible zipper, you can bet I have a really good reason!) It’s awesome to have an invisible zipper foot for your machine, but plenty of people use a regular zipper foot too.

Please let me know if you have any questions about supplies! And hey, why not share your fabric choices on the Facebook Group? You know how much sewing ladies love to look at pretty pictures of fabric!