Discover... the {lorea} blouse or dress

It's time to introduce my latest pattern, the Lorea ruffled blouse or dress (Lorea means "flower" in Basque). The pattern is available in the shop here: Lorea sewing pattern.

The initial idea for this pattern was to offer you a model without buttonholes or gathers to limit difficulties and make it accessible to as many people as possible. Many of you are discovering my patterns thanks to the "Poppy" dress, which is often your first garment sewing project. The "Lorea" blouse doesn't seem much more complicated.

I know that beginners often struggle with the terms used in sewing pattern instructions. In my step-by-step guides, I use little technical vocabulary and detail each step as much as possible (making sure it doesn't become indigestible!). I also provide an illustrated step-by-step guide with photos here on my blog: Lorea blouse step-by-step tutorial. Visualizing the steps usually helps overcome any difficulties.

In short, everything is designed to make you enjoy creating this blouse.

To sew this model, you need to know the basics of machine sewing. The only technical points are making the pleats (which is explained in the tutorial), the hems, and possibly the optional hand-sewn finishes.

As with my other patterns, Lorea is only available in digital format. The pattern is provided in ZIP format (containing PDF files), to be downloaded and printed at home. You will find all the information on this subject in the pattern description on the website as well as in the "frequently asked questions". The pattern is full-size and includes 25 pages (A4) to assemble. The detailed and illustrated instruction sheet with diagrams includes 8 pages. As always with my patterns, seam allowances (1 cm) are included.

Nice new feature:

I have added intermediate sizes for this model, and this will most certainly apply to future models. The pattern therefore includes 11 sizes between 4 and 14 years (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 years). I hesitated because I was concerned it would make the pattern illegible, but that is not the case. These new gradations allow you to find the size that fits you more precisely.

After this presentation of the pattern, let's move on to the presentation of the model.

The "Lorea" model can be sewn as a blouse or a dress. The blouse reaches the lower hips, and the dress reaches the knees.

The model is not very loose, but I have provided enough ease at the chest for greater comfort. The back is slightly V-shaped to allow for easy head passage, as the model has neither a slit nor a button placket at the neckline.

The pleats on the front add a bit of fullness to the bottom of the blouse.

You know my passion for pretty collars! So, I've included the option to add a flat collar to the "Lorea" blouse. I think it adds a chic touch that I really like, but you can sew "Lorea" without its collar (older girls often prefer it without...).

Finally, I wanted ruffles at the armholes, so I chose to layer two ruffles of different widths. They don't require gathering, but their shape gives them a lovely drape.

The model is fairly quick to sew: it involves few pieces to cut: one piece for the front, two pieces for the back, one front facing and two for the back + the four ruffles and the four collar pieces.

The longest steps are certainly making the pleats, for which I advise you to take your time. And the various hems (those of the ruffles and the bottom of the blouse), especially if you finish them with hand stitching rather than machine. But if you finish the ruffles with a rolled hem on a serger (or sewing machine), you'll find that the blouse is really very quick to make.

The model is designed to be sewn in woven fabric.

For example, you can choose cotton (batiste or poplin), chambray, double cotton gauze, viscose, or a light linen. I find that "Lorea" looks best in a somewhat fluid fabric so that the ruffles fall nicely on the shoulders.

You can personalize the blouse by adding piping around the collar, or lace to the ruffles. You can also embroider a cross at the bottom of the pleats as I did here.

"Lorea" is a perfect blouse or dress for the warmer seasons. It can be worn under a cardigan or jacket in mid-season, or on its own in summer.

If you sew this pattern, please share your creation on social media with the hashtags #blouselorea, #robelorea, and #louandmecouture."

Happy sewing,

Lydie

The pattern is available in the shop here: Lorea sewing pattern .