Simplicity 1692- Vintage 1940’s style blouse

I really like this pattern. Before I started on it, I did research on Patternreview.com and Instagram. I enjoyed looking at everyone’s makes and hearing about their reviews on the blouse. Many people used this pattern over and over again, so I can tell this is a Tried and True pattern and after making one of my own, this will be a TNT for me too.

Simplicity 1692 is a reproduction of a 1944 pattern. It is described as a misses’ vintage 1940’s top with a darted waistline. Views A and B have a bias-bound jewel neck with long or short puffed sleeves. Views C and D have a kimono sleeve with buttoned shoulders and a jewel or scoop neck.

I chose View B which is the view the model is wearing on the envelope. I learned a few new things using this pattern. I always like that! I learned how to make tucks, how to make a fabric loop with a button, how to make a back facing in a different way and how to turn out a skinny tie using a needle and thread.

I used a challis fabric that I purchased from L.A. Finch Fabrics. They sell a lot of deadstock fabric and remnants. This was remnant that I purchased which was the perfect amount for this blouse. I love the look and feel of this fabric. I felt that it was perfect for this 1940s style blouse.

This blouse calls for an invisible zipper. That made me nervous because historically, I have not been successful at installing invisible zippers. I bought an invisible zipper foot in hopes that it would help me out. I re-watched all my saved YouTube videos on how to install one. I read the directions on the pattern directions AND in the invisible zipper packet very carefully. But no luck. The invisible zipper situation did not work out again. I’ll have to spend a day practicing this skill. I’m sure one day I’ll get it and I’ll be so happy when I do. For now, I installed a regular zipper. In the end, it turned out that I didn’t need one only because I made the waist one size bigger, just in case it was too tight. I kept the zipper in anyway. For the next time, I will make the waist a size smaller and install the zipper or I can keep it a size bigger without the zipper.

The tucks in general seem easy to make. But in my case, I had a little difficulty because of the fabric I chose. I had a hard time seeing the chalk lines that I drew in to make the tucks. But the good side is that you can’t see it much (they ended up crooked, lol). The fabric loop was also easy to make. I was intimated by it before with another blouse I had made, so I avoided it in that pattern. But for this pattern, it was needed since it was used to close the neckline. It wasn’t as hard to do as I thought! I had to use a needle and thread to open out the fabric for the loop, which I also had to do for the ties.

I really like this blouse and I definitely plan to make more. It looks great with jeans. It looks even better with high waisted pants or a pencil or gathered skirt.

Happy Sewing!

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