Fibre Mood Norma Blouse With Statement Sleeves

Hey all! I slipped off the grid for a couple of weeks but I’m back to show you a brand new make. This is the Fibre Mood Norma blouse and it’s in #9 magazine that’s available from today and if you don’t buy the magazine you can get all of the patterns in PDF form so no tracing off needed.

***Note: I was given the pattern free to make up and share with you. All opinions are my own and of course, I chose a design from the latest collection that was true to my personal style.

The Norma blouse is super easy to wear design with a semi-boxy, slightly cropped bodice and lovely big voluminous and on-trend sleeves. I’ve actually been eyeing up some Fibre Mood styles ever since I saw my friend Alex wearing some and this is my first time of trying out one of their patterns. I have to say that I like the modern vibe of the company.

So, I got my pattern in PDF form and there are options for both copy shop and print-at-home, I went for the latter. There are 6 pattern pieces (and they have seam allowances included) and it’s a fairly straightforward nice project to sew.

Right, let’s talk about my fabric…well a while back I had a dress highlighted as a featured make of the month by Sewmesunshine and for being featured I won a voucher to spend with them (lucky me!). I chose this lovely cotton flannel twill in the dreamiest shade of soft pink Actually it’s a blend of cream and pink threads woven together that create the perfect soft, muted colour. Now, it states in the instructions for the blouse that you can use most weights of fabric for the style but obviously you get more volume in the sleeves and boxiness in the body with a heavier weight so the choice is yours…go as sheer, or as fluid as you like or heavier and boxier for a different vibe. My cotton flannel is reasonably substantial, although quite soft, so it does give me a nice big sleeve. 

As I said there are only 6 pattern pieces….the main back and front plus sleeve, facings and sleeve cuff bindings. I cut a size 38 and did my usual high-back and forward-shoulder adjustments. I felt like I needed a bit of an FBA and for my front armhole to be a little snugger because I seemed to have some gaping there so I created a small bust dart by doing the following adjustment:

• I measured down and marked my bust point.
• I slashed from the middle of the gaping area on the armhole to the bust point.
• I slashed horizontally across 2.5” down from the armhole to within a millimetre or two from the bust point.
• I closed up the gapping in my armhole and this, in turn, opened up a dart.
• I drew in a dart that stopped about an inch away from the bust point and then trued up the side seam.

I always need a shorter/smaller front armhole and a longer back armhole because of my high rounded back so by just adjusting the sleeve head as I’ve detailed in this post the I had no problems fitting the sleeve head into my altered armhole, especially as it’s a gathered sleeve head so any tiny bits of surplus can go into a little more fullness.

Once I’d done the alteration the blouse went together really nicely. The sleeve length and body length were perfect and the facings were a dream to sew on. There’s a straightforward back neck facing and two front ones that you interface and understitch. The little narrow cuffs are sewn on in the round in 3 steps. Here are a couple of close-ups for you:

I found all of the instructions really easy to follow so my first time with a Fibre Mood design gets a big thumbs up from me. 

I love how my flannel fabric holds its shape in the full sleeves and it’s so soft and cuddly to wear. Actually, I’m thinking how nice this top could be over a summer tank top worn as a little jacket…I must try that! I’m really into shorter length tops and sweaters these days because I love to wear them with culottes so I’m thinking denim culottes, a white tank and this blouse worn over it.

 It’s a pity that at the moment the only time it’ll be seen is on a trip to the grocery store accessorised with a face mask. Speaking of which I hope you’re all staying safe and well in these very difficult times. Much love to you all and I’ll be back soon with some more sewing inspiration.

****Disclaimer: This post contains some affiliate links. This means that I may make a small commission at no cost to you if you click through and purchase something that I link to. You can read my full disclosure policy here (thank you for supporting Dream Cut Sew )

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