Penrose Peasant Blouse - Exclusive Sewing Project
Posted by Meg Healy
Meg Healy here again from
SewDaily.com to remind you that the
Penrose Peasant Blouse Sew-Along is still going on for free. Registration is open until April 30th 2021, where you will get the cute blouse pattern, video tutorials and the chance to win an
OPAL™ 690Q Sewing Machine. Read on to download the exclusive long sleeve extension pattern as well as the instructions.
We love continuing to offer these sew-alongs for free with HUSQVARNA
® VIKING
®, and the
Penrose Peasant Blouse is not one to miss. With an on-trend square neckline and easy bust gathers, the Penrose packs in the dramatic volume while remaining practical for every day. The pattern includes sizes 0-34 and stitches up perfectly in a wide variety of wovens, from cotton to linen to the featured eyelet.
Being not able to travel, I remote in with my machine to help Amanda sew certain steps of the blouse and offer design suggestions. After I sewed up some samples of this top, I thought a long peasant sleeve version would be perfect. So we drafted an exclusive extension sleeve pattern for you with additional fullness in the form of gathers along with an elasticated hem ending at the wrist for a romantical variation of the Penrose.
Construct the blouse as per the instructions and video up until the sleeve insertion. Clip into the three sleeve crown notches and then stitch the sleeve seam, right sides together and finish the allowance.
Press the sleeve seam allowance either open or to one side using a sleeve roll. Then using a basting stitch, sew two rows in between the notches and inside the seam allowance amount (5/8”).
Flip the sleeve right side out and pin into the armhole opening of the blouse. Match the underarm seams as well as the top notch on the sleeve to the shoulder seam. Working from each side, pull the bobbin threads of the basting stitches to matching the armhole. Use pins!
Working with the sleeve side up on your machine, set in the sleeve starting at the underarm point. Adjust gathers as needed and pull pins out as you sew.
Serge or zig-zag finish the armhole and sleeve allowances together and flip to the right side to reveal your pretty gathers! Trim any loose basting stitches that may apper from the right side of your sleeve crown. Also serge or zig-zag finish the opening sleeve hem, and press up to the wrong side the width of your elastic plus ¼".
Starting at the sleeve seam, stitch the casing close to the top and leave a small 1 ½" opening. Cut two pieces of elastic approx. 10” long.
Using a safety pin, thread the elastic through the opening.
Once threaded all the way through pin the ends together and try on the blouse to ensure sleeve hem tightness is correct. Loosen or tighten if needed. Then stitch the ends together well and close the opening on the top of the casing.
Here is Amanda’s wonderful striped double gauze version. The long sleeve version gives this pattern such transitional ability from season to season. You can easily lengthen the hemline of the blouse too for a long sleeve flowing dress. So many options!