The Harmony blouse from Love Notions patterns is a feminine top with special considerations on the fit that I truly admire.
The Harmony Blouse is only $5 on Friday 10th of September 2021. Get yours HERE with my affiliate link if my content is helpful for your sewing. Thank you! Use my code Pins10 for an extra 10% off.
The Harmony blouse is designed for light to medium weight drapey woven fabrics like: silk, rayon and chambray.
About the feminine design, I appreciate the effort to draft a flattering silhouette that includes a scoop neckline, side bust darts, and back center seam with waist shaping. The intended fit is meant to be semi fitted in the upper chest and bust and then relaxed at the waist and hip with a swing style. If you like sleeves, there are many options and a free add on has been included for a cute tulip sleeve. Of course, there is a sleeveless option and this is usually my preferred option.
Pattern sizing
This pattern is available in size XS-5X catering for a hip of 59.5″. There is about 2-3″ of positive ease at the bust and a roomy 10-12″ of positive ease at the waist and hips. There is a standard bust and a full bust option. I sew a size Large to XL at the hips with a standard bust typically BUT, I have also sewn the full bust for another unconventional purpose you will see in a tad.
Fit adjustments
- Lowered the side bust dart by 5/8″, this is a common adjustment for me with 90% of patterns by all brands.
- Shortened the length by 2″ for personal preference. I didn’t mind loosing some volume from the bottom, so I shortened from the hem up, while following the curve.
Pinterest inspired top
I had a photo I saw on pinterest at the back of my mind and knew the Harmony blouse would be perfect to create a similar look. I was not interested in the collar and would prefer to have a black accent in the center, but not as a button placket. In summary, I am inspired by the photo below, but I don’t want the exact same garment.
To get the look
- Added a center front seam by adding 3/8″ to the center front piece and NOT cutting it on the fold
- Cut a black rectangle the length from the front neckline to the hem, folded both long raw edges in by 1/4″ (6mm) and top stitched over the center front seam to created a vertical detail that replaces the button placket from the inspiration photo. Dimensions are below.
- Small bust pocket is optional. Below are the following dimensions. Fold the top edge by 3/4″ and the sides and bottom edges by 3/8″. I positioned the pocket while having the top on my body.
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I have a full video review and load of sewing footage about the stripy Harmony blouse I love. You can watch below on my YouTube channel.
Now that I have a pattern I love the fit and style of, I can have all the fun of experimenting and taking it to the limitless dimension! Now for the hack.
Recreating a favorite OLD RTW top I thrifted
Years ago, I thrifted a beautiful stain backed crepe top. The main feature I am obsessed with is the scooped neckline with gathers and ties that come from within a casing on the neckline. I reach for this top constantly and because I’ve been loving navy blue prints, this solid item on the top is perfect. I have inspected several times this top inside out to figure out the construction. I knew I could easily rotate the volume of a side bust dart into the neckline. Knowing I LOVE the fit of the harmony and that is has the side bust dart there… its was time to get the pattern and start cutting.
Below you can see my favorite top paired with the Allegro shorts and the Ravinia Skirt, both patterns also from Love Notions.
See a video about it HERE
See a video about the skirt HERE
I decided to utilize the full bust option this time. Not because I needed it for the fit, but because the bust dart is larger and when manipulating this volume to the neckline, the effect will be more gathered.
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I drew my lines, marked the apex, cut the bottom leg of the bust dart all the way to the apex point and then also cut two lines on the neckline also towards the apex point. The apex point is the pivot point. All of this easy process can be seen in the video I produced for my sewing channel on YouTube. See it below 🙂
The 2 ties I drafted have the dimension you can see in the image below. The finished width will be 5/8″ or 1.5cm.
The facing was drafted from the main pattern pieces and they are 1 1/4″ wide. The back facing was cut on the fold and it interfaced. The front facing is not interfaced.
At the center front, I interfaced a 2″ wide area to stabilize the fabric prior to making two vertical buttonholes that will allow the ties to come out from the facing that is also a casing. See the construction steps in the video above 🙂
The practice run with fabric scraps
I made a modified top with a printed crepe left over from another project. The fabric can be found HERE. I even have a piece on the crossgrain here evidenced by a silly sideways bird on the print. My goal was to internalize the construction, see what width facing would work best and assess the fit and depth of the neckline. This was a success and it’s totally wearable.
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The final red top!
My dreamed red top became a reality. I used a rayon/linen blend with beautiful drape. I went the extra mile and used french seams throughout. The look is exactly what I wanted and being a solid in my favorite color, it will be worn a billion times. Now I need 10 more of these tops.
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Dart manipulation makes any well fitting pattern have limitless possibilities and this is only one of them. I am now dreaming of using this pattern to create a top with princess seams. Watch this space!
This is a super feminine blouse that’s very well drafted. The relaxed fit makes it the top I`ll reach for because I can eat and breathe in it whilst having feminine shaping! No boxy shape here.
The Harmony Blouse is only $5 on Friday 10th of September 2021. Get yours HERE with my affiliate link if my content is helpful for your sewing. Thank you!
DISCLAIMER: I was provided the pattern without cost, as a Love Notions ambassador. I Purchased my own fabric for both versions. My opinions are very honest.
I have affiliate links in this post to the pattern company and the pattern. If you click on these links, at no cost to you, I receive a small commission that helps finance my sewing, blog and Youtube channel.
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Categories: Pattern hacks, Pattern Reviews, Sewing techniques
Karina, I love the gathered neckline. I hope to try your method someday. As soon as I get time. How do you manage to sew so many garments?
I plan ahead and put full time hours into the projects I have going on. I hope you try it, the look is so delicate with the gathers 🙂
Hello! I just bought the Harmony blouse pattern and will be trying your version too. Just wondering about the front and back hem length in your version. Are the hemlines the same or is the back hemline lower than the front. If yes, by how much? I really like the way yours looks! Thanks!
When I closed the dart on the side on the paper, it’s effectively like I’d sewn in on the original version. The side seams will be exactly the same on the front and the back 🙂
Have fun 🙂