The Avid Seamstress Blouse review
Along with many other patterns, The Blouse by The Avid Seamstress was on my list to sew at some point. I liked the collar and it seemed like a wardrobe basic that I could sew up several versions of in different fabrics. I really like how button-up blouses look tucked into trousers/jeans, and when I saw that there was an opportunity to make this on a retreat, I went for it.
Creative Spirit Retreat
When booking up for The Creative Spirit Retreat, I knew it will be something special but even so it exceeded my expectations. Although I have attended many workshops and stayed over in local accommodation, I had only been to one other retreat before. The accommodation was beautiful, and there was plenty of room in the workshop, with expert instruction from the founder Lisa Falconer and sewing tutor Amanda.
What appealed to me about this was how it was described as a holistic retreat, not just about the sewing, great instruction, and learning techniques but also a place where you could relax body, mind and recharge. The fact that meditation and massage was included was a big plus. All meals were provided and were delicious.
There were seven of us sewing Lisa's patterns including The Blouse, Raglan Dress, Sun Dress, Blazer and Coat. I choose The Blouse which was the first Avid Seamstress pattern I have sewn. None of us knew each other before, but we bonded well over the relatively short space of time we spent together. The weekend retreat started late afternoon on a Friday and ended when we checked out on Monday morning. Despite it only being two full days it felt much longer. Here we are wearing what we had made.
As someone who generally doesn't finish the garment within the workshop time, I was mindful of trying not to hurry myself, because the whole point of this retreat was to enjoy the process. During the day I took advantage of the pool and sauna on site, leisurely enjoyed the lovely lunches, spent time chatting with the others, and I did still manage to finish the blouse. The evenings were equally relaxed with some wonderful group activities.
A great indication of how much I immersed myself into the retreat was realising that my mobile phone battery level was still 48% when I left, without having charged it at all while I was there.
Fit
For this particular pattern, Lisa had samples made up in different sizes and had offered to send me the size I had selected from the chart which was size 2. This was really useful as a starting point, meaning one less toile. It had one sleeve with the elasticated cuff and one without so I could see which I preferred.
I found the sample was a little tight and so sized up to size 3, along with upper and lower rounded back and sleeve adjustments. See my separate post here on my detailed fitting journey, with photos of my toiles.
I shortened the blouse by 10cm but after wearing it realised it has a tendency to come untucked again, so I would add a few cm back to the hem.
Fabric
I used a light blue polka dot cotton purchased while on holiday in Malaysia. It was left over from lining my Heather Blazer; here's my matchy matchy look styled with my Ginger Jeans.