Friday Pattern Company Adrienne Blouse

The Friday Pattern Company Adrienne Blouse has been on my to-sew list for a while. Its dramatic “statement sleeves” are right in my wheelhouse.

According to the size chart, I made a size 3XL at the bust graded to a size 4XL at the waist and lengthened by about three inches since the pattern has a cropped length. My bust is 52 inches, waist is 48, hips 56. Once I put pattern pieces together, I was concerned about the fact that the front and back pattern pieces are the same. This generally doesn’t work well for me as my back is quite narrow in comparison to my bust. That said, it worked fairly well. I still think I will do a full bust adjustment. I will narrow the upper back a bit and grade out the hips a slight bit more. I also want to add to the length. I really prefer for tops to hit about three inches lower than this.

There do seem to be overall issues with the shoulders falling off for people, especially in the larger sizes, and my version is no exception. Part of that issue is that the neckline is too wide so I will be taking a wedge out of the next version. I also shortened the elastic at the shoulders quite a bit.

The fabric I used is a rayon spandex knit, which is a fabric that I love the feel of, but the recovery tends to be poor. Poor recovery means that neckline stretches out as you wear it so that compounds the issue.

That said, I love the top and with some improvements it will fit great. I also think bra strap holders would really help this version.

Yellow and me are really having a moment lately and I love it. This fabric is so soft and wonderful to wear that I can’t get enough of it. Thankfully, I have more of this fabric. And those sleeves! Let’s just say, they make a statement!

TL:DR Review

Pattern: Friday Pattern Company Adrienne Blouse
Pros: Okay size range. Great sleeves.
Cons: Typical drafting issues with the larger sizes where the neckline is bigger than it needs to be. Having front and back be the same pattern pieces can lead to issues for people with larger busts and it did for me.
Make again?: Yes, after fit changes. I also like the idea of not putting elastic in the sleeve cuffs for a bell sleeve. I think I saw someone else do this on Instagram and can’t get it out of my head.
Rating: 3.5/5 stars