A Tale of Two Sleeves: Adrienne Blouse + Trend Patterns Oversized Sleeve Top

It's been The Year of the Sleeve for the past few years, and I admit it took me a little time to get on board. Big, dramatic sleeves seemed too fussy for my somewhat streamlined style, but seeing them crop up again and again on Instagram (Sophie is perhaps their biggest champion) eventually swayed me. I'm such a convert that one of our upcoming patterns has a deliciously romantic gathered sleeve option - 2019 is definitely the Year of the Sleeve for Closet Core Patterns.

When Friday Pattern Company launched their Adrienne Blouse, I was fully primed for sleeve love, and hit purchase faster than I have in a long time.

This is a beautifully simple pattern, with only two pattern pieces. It's one of those designs that feels a little like magic when you transform the 2D shapes into a 3D garment. For this version, I used a cream coloured ponte de roma I've had in the stash, and some bra strap elastic for the gathered shoulder and cuff. It sewed up very quickly, and it's been a fun option to pull out when I'm feeling a little romantic. It's quite tight fitting, so I've been pairing it with high waisted pants (basically all I've been wearing lately) and my denim Jenny overalls. I loooove this top, although I regretted using such cheap ponte since it's already starting to pill. I haven't felt much like sewing knits lately, but could see myself making multiples of this for the fall.

My second sleeve love affair this year has been with the Oversized Sleeve Top from Trend Patterns. I bought this after admiring some of the beauties Sophie has shared over the last year, and while it's not necessarily an everyday piece, it's just the ticket when I'm feeling fashiony and editorial.

I made this as a wearable muslin using some fine shirting cotton in my stash. I remember it being a bit of a nightmare to work with, hard to press nicely and very wrinkle prone. For this make, I skipped the suggested zipper since I figured I could get it over my head without one. I wasn't aware of how tight it would be around my middle so it's always a bit of a comedy getting it on and off. I really wish I had had my Beatrice form when I made this. The fit in the back is a bit weird and bunchy, likely because it's a touch too tight at the waist, and if I could have tested it on the form it would have been easier to adjust. It's definitely wearable nonetheless, and again, the perfect top for my collection of high-waisted pants.

Here's what it looks like untucked:

The style lines of this pattern are super fun and it was an interesting challenge putting it together. The neckline is kinda cool too, although I think it's hard to see in these photos. It's a squared off bateau neckline, and I've found I have to really watch my bra straps; probably worth it to add bra strap carriers at some point.

So, have you fallen in love with a mighty sleeve as well? Any other great sleeve forward patterns we should know about?