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The Ballad blouse from Love Notions is their newest pattern and I have made two already. As always, when a pattern is so amazing and offers many options…. what’s one to do? make many of course! In this post you will see two more versions with slight modifications and shirring detail along with lots of fun videos from my channel as well

The Ballad blouse is only $5 on Friday 17th of June 2022. This is 60% off! . Get yours HERE with my affiliate link if my sewing inspires you 🙂 Thank you! Also, don’t forget t use my code LPN10 at checkout for an extra 10% off.

You can see a detailed blog post about my two first Ballad blouses HERE on my site and that post includes the video from my YouTube channel that is embedded and shares how to sew the neckline / button placket in detail along with a full pattern review. Both Ballad blouse feature the gathered shoulder option and you can see them below. One is sleeveless and the other has the short sleeve with cuff.

It’s time for some fun an 2 new versions of the new Ballad Blouse!

Pin tucks replace the gathers

I had been dreaming of this fun hack since the pattern test of the Ballad blouse began. Replacing the shoulder and back piece gathers with PIN TUCKS is totally doable and you can do it for a different look. You can use the exact same pattern pieces and there is no need to modify them.

I did some basic math to see how much the excess fabric was that was going to be gathered into the front and back section of the yoke. For my size XL, it was 3″ and it will possibly be different for the size you make. Each pin tuck takes away 1/2″ of fabric sewn with 1/4″ seam allowance and for the extra 3″, I could make 6 pin tucks on the shoulders.

I did the same process on the back and ended up with 12 pin tucks on the center back under the yoke. I have sewn down the pin tucks about 1.5″. I don’t want to loose the fullness underneath that will provide space for the bust and the back.

The Video on my channel on how to do the Pin Tucks

I made a video featuring different places on a garment where adding pin tucks is easy and fun. I used the Cadence top & dress pattern, the Presto tunic (all from Love Notions) and the Ballad Blouse as examples. You can see the detailed easy process of adding them to the Ballad blouse pattern pieces and how they are sewn.

Let’s see the Pin Tuck Ballad blouse

This version is sleeveless and my fabric is 100% rayon with a linen look and swiss dot details. Lovely texture for this black Ballad blouse and the Pin tucks makes it extra special.

I’m happy to sew 20 black tops if they are all difference and this Ballad blouse certainly is. I am enamored with the pin tuck details here! Let’s see my 4th one now!

Border print with shirring details

The version with the shirred shoulders on the Ballad Blouse has separate pattern pieces for the front and placket, compared to the gathered shoulder version I had made 3 times before already. I had hesitated to use shirring because my skin is extremely sensitive to the elastic thread. In the past, I have had literal open wounds from the abrasion caused by the elastic thread. I found a way around this isuuse this time. I love the look of shirring, it’s a fun technique and I didn’t want to miss out because of my sensitive skin.

I made a “winter” Ballad blouse with 100% rayon. There are long sleeves here and enough ease to wear a fitted tank top underneath should my shoulders start playing up with the elastic thread. Simple solution.

I used a fun border print and was able to cut my pieces in a way to contrast them. It looks like “print” blocking! and I am NOT a fan of that lol….. UNLESS it’s the same fabric, like this opportunity. The fabric was pre-washed three times. Some of the pieces are cut on the crossgrain and it’s totally worth it for the striking look.

To see a very detailed video on cutting on the cross-grain & precautions, see it HERE on my channel.

Let’s see the shirred detail

I am so happy with this unique Ballad Blouse! The shoulders, top of yoke and top of sleeve have a light white/coral print, the placket is polka dot…. the yoke has some polka dots…. and the main body is navy with flowers. It’s the same fabric, I promise.

The video on my channel with the detailed shirring process

If you have never done shirring, I am sharing the detail on my channel. Lot’s of practicalities you will encounter. Also, my sleeve is s regular long sleeve and this option is not in the pattern. You can see how to lengthen the short sleeve easily. I felt the print was busy and I didn’t want long bishop sleeves (an option in the pattern) for this version.

What’s next?

I am not done here! I still have many ideas, including dresses and other little details that can take this pattern even further. With the great size range, standard and full bust option, it will surely be great for you too and we can all “ballad” together 🙂 See you soon!

The Ballad blouse is only $5 on Friday 17th of June 2022. This is 60% off! . Get yours HERE with my affiliate link if my sewing inspires you 🙂 Thank you! Also, don’t forget t use my code LPN10 at checkout for an extra 10% off.

DISCLAIMER: The links to the Ballad Blouse in this post are affiliate links. I was a pattern tester and had access to the PDF pattern in exchange for my feedback on instructions and fit. I purchased all the fabrics. I produce sewing content independently from pattern brands and share my unique way of sewing with you. I don’t necessarily follow instructions rigidly. My opinions are honest, especially around fit and sewing techniques.

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I spend a lot of my time sewing, filming/editing videos, writing and taking photos for both my Youtube channel and blog and if you love what I do and consider my work valuable for your own sewing, you can support me financially in a non-committal manner by purchasing me a ”coffee” through Ko-Fi here.  $5 gets me one cup of “coffee”, or how I call it: a zipper!

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**The Ballad blouse is 25% OFF during its release week! get it for less through the 16th of May. Get yours HERE with my affiliate link if my sewing inspires you 🙂 Thank you!

DISCLAIMER: The links to the Ballad Blouse in this post are affiliate links. I was a pattern tester and had access to the PDF pattern in exchange for my feedback on instructions and fit. I purchased all the fabrics. I produce sewing content independently from pattern brands and share my unique way of sewing with you. I don’t necessarily follow instructions rigidly. My opinions are honest, especially around fit and sewing techniques.

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