Moore Sewing: Simplicity Pattern 1693 Blouse


If you’re just joining from the Sew Sweetness Dress Up Party – welcome to Moore Approved! Before making Simplicity 6213, I made two different versions of Simplicity pattern 1693 – a blouse with six different versions to choose from.    Simplicity 1693 Pattern Blouse Ikat Modeling Shoulder

From my experience, I felt 1693 was a good pattern to get started with if you have never made any type of shirt or top before.Simplicity 1693 Pattern Envelope FrontSimplicity 1693 Pattern Envelope Back

One and a half yards of fabric (Victoria & Albert Bromley Ikat Damask Voile) and the pattern was included in Craftsy’s “Ikat Damask Daytime Blouse” Make in a Day Sewing Kit that I scored for only $14.97.  What a great deal, right??? (DISCLOSURE: I recently became a Craftsy affiliate and will earn a commission through sales made via MooreApproved.com. I only promote products I use and love myself, and will continue to share my own opinions)

Because I am a total novice, (before this project I had only made a couple pairs of pants) I wanted to make a wearable muslin first using leftover fabric from the infamous Walmart sheet. First, I attempted the tank top – version “C” – but omitted the elastic waistband. There were only three pattern pieces, plus cutting out bias tape for the neckline and armholes.

Simplicity 1693 Pattern Tank Blue White Modeling Once I had the muslin down, I moved on to the real thing.Simplicity 1693 Pattern Blouse Ikat Back

The center back seam is open at the top, and features a shank button closure. To finish the back seam, I folded the edges under on each side and stitched down the seams to avoid raw edges. For the rest of the seams, I used the serger-like stitch on my Janome 7700.

In making the loop for the button closure, I extended the bias binding past the end of the center seam, folded it back under the tape, and sewed the end into it. This actually worked really well.Simplicity 1693 Pattern Blouse Ikat Button Back

I cut out a size 12 for Simplicity 1693 and my measurements for this one are:

Bust – 34″
Waist – 28″
Hips – 37″

Even though the pattern says size 12 is meant for a 26 1/2″ waist, I did not find that to be problematic. The fit is “comfortably loose” and easy for me to slip on and take off. One of my pet peeves is shirts that are difficult to remove – it makes me feel claustrophobic.Simplicity 1693 Pattern Blouse Ikat Front

There was only one fit issue and that was the bust dart. It was a bit low for me, so when I made my “real” and final version I moved the dart up about an inch and a half. Otherwise, I did not experience any significant frustrations or confusion with the instructions.

When I busted out the ikat fabric, I switched to option “A” with three-quarter sleeves – also omitting the gathered waistband. This was my initiation into setting in sleeves. The tip of basting two stitch lines and gathering the shoulders works decently. I did watch a few YouTube videos to understand the concept and that helped immensely.Simplicity 1693 Pattern Blouse Ikat Modeling Front

After making this pattern twice, I can tell you that it is indeed Moore Approved. Simplicity 1693 is easy enough for beginners, but still offers a few aspects to give your finished top a more professional look. There are enough options that you can make several in different fabrics and no one would know it’s the same shirt.

I plan to wear the tank top around the house with the matching pants, and have already worn the ikat blouse to work a couple times and got quite a few compliments.

Simplicity 1693 Pattern Blouse Ikat Modeling Wide Shot

See you next time!

– Jennifer
Online Sewing Class





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