Alma Blouse #2

 

I absolutely LOVE this pattern.

 

 

It's simple and easy to sew.  Unfortunately, I have gained 10 a few pounds since my little accident and I can't quite get the fit the way I like it. Mostly because I hope to lose those extra pounds soon (and then some) and didn't want to take the time to fit a blouse for my weight gain.

 I am sure my original Alma will fit perfectly after I lose a bit.

 

Since my first Alma Blouse was a bit tight at the bustline, I decided to just go up a size larger and grade the waist and hip line down. I think these patterns are geared towards pear shaped gals so this pattern does seem to be a bit too wide in the hips for me. For my first Alma I made a size 12 and I graded the waist and hips to a 10. Other than the bust, it fit pretty well.

Don't get me wrong... it's wearable - just a little too snug in the bust for my taste.

Here's my second try...

I cut the size 14 (for the bust size) and thought I would grade the waist and hips to a 10.
  I was a little afraid of getting the waist and hips out of proportion by going down two sizes, so I only graded down to the 12.
In the picture above you can't tell with my hands are on my hips, but I think I should have attempted to grade down to the 10.

In the picture below you can see I have about 4 extra inches at the hip - each side.

The only other issue I had making the size 14 was the neck line.
It's not so noticeable in the photo, but I am narrow across the shoulders so the size 14 neckline is a bit loose.
 I probably could have taken an inch or so out of the neck line and it would have laid much nicer.

 I think I will hold off making my next Alma Blouse until I get rid of my extra ten plus pounds...
In the meantime, I am working on a little recycle project for my daughter.
Stay tuned....