An Anthea Blouse Hack
This new top has been a long time coming. When I say long time, I really mean it. For starters, it took me close to a year to secure this gorgeous Strawberry fabric by Jennifer Bouron for Nerida Hansen Fabrics. Every time it was released and restocked I missed out due to time zones. Being an Aussie overseas does come with its downsides. But, one night I checked their website before bed and scored big time! I was beside myself. No victory is as sweet as fabric victory.
Next was the pattern. I had a vision for a specific top after @thebrightblooms had shown this amazing strawberry print top on one of her shopping trips. I could not remember the designer or the actual silhouette, but I had a vision from the moment I saw that insta story. I wanted it to be button down, have a collar with a ruffle and voluminous sleeves. After making the Anthea blouse two times I knew I wanted to use this specific pattern but what was I going to do for a collar? My husband then suggested the Bakerloo Blouse from Nina Lee London (he has absorbed a lot of sewing knowledge through osmosis). I had made this twice before, I actually tested it for the expanded size range. The only issue was the collar was a little too big for the Anthea so I shaved off 2” on the outer edge of the collar. This way it wouldn’t cover up the upper sleeve and you’d be able to get the full effect of the voluminous sleeve.
Now, even though this explanation is just two paragraphs, this was across 3 months from receiving my fabric. It was about a year in the making in my brain. So yes, this took some time but it was so worth it.
Let’s talk about sewing it up. It was really simple and straightforward. I followed the instructions for the collar and then placed it on the anthea before putting the binding on the neckline. Really simple. The last part, the most difficult in my opinion, was finding the right buttons. My husband suggested getting a deep green so I set off to Harmony Provo and found the perfect deep green buttons that almost appear black. They have an amazing texture too, almost like an actual strawberry. Talk about the stars aligning.
I should be clear that it took me forever to take the plunge to cut and sew up this top. Even though I sew quite a bit, I still get nervous when it’s a fabric that I’m in love with and the stakes go higher when it’s a fabric that was difficult to source. That all went out the window when I was invited to join Brittany from House That Lars Built on her Classic Christmas series. I needed something for Christmas and for a girl who doesn’t wear red it was go time. I thought the strawberries were perfect. It was the right colours and it invoked an Australian Christmas by the beach. The hot summer days and the yummy Christmas food. Did I mention how much fun it was to make Christmas crackers for the series? It took me right back to my childhood. It was always one of the highlights when I’d set out with my mum to find crackers with the best surprises. Now knowing how to make them I can’t wait to fill them with the best goodies for my family and friends.
Overall, I’ve worn this top about 7 times now in the last 2 weeks and every time I’ve been complimented and asked if I’d made it. Each time I said yes the person asking would appear stunned. So if that doesn’t prove how well this combination worked out then I don’t know what will. I can’t wait to make more in the future. Maximum reward for minimal effort. Watch this space for many, many more!
