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Sassy Librarian Blouse

Note: This class is no longer available to purchase on Craftsy.

I haven’t done a lot of sewing for myself lately (well, since I had kids… I kept waiting for my pre-baby body to miraculously return!). It’s time to do a little “me” sewing before the Christmas craziness. Looking for inspiration, I ended up on the Craftsy website and spotted the Sassy Librarian Blouse.

Craftsy has video courses for sewing, knitting, crochet, cake decorating, baking and more. Some courses are free and others (like the Sassy Librarian Blouse) have a fee, which then gives you access to the course material for life. The Sassy Librarian Blouse is currently on sale for $19.99 (US), so for slightly more than the cost of a pattern, you get video tutorials of every step and access to on-line discussions if you need help.

The course is taught by Christine Haynes, who wrote the book Chic and Simple Sewing, and this pattern definitely continues in that vein. The pattern is an intermediate level, but with the video instructions, is achievable for an adventurous beginner. So here’s my version:

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There are two versions of the blouse in the pattern and I went with the collar and sleeve version. I have no idea what the main fabric is (see a close-up in the next photo) – I picked up about 3 yards of it for $3 at a thrift store a while ago (so I have heaps left over – maybe a dress for my little girl…). Something about the retro design of the blouse said contrasting collar, so I picked up some pale pink satin at my local fabric store (on clearance – woo hoo!).

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My measurements were all over the place compared to the chart in the course material (size 8 bust, size 10-12 waist and size 14-16 hips). I ended up going with a size 10 as I like clothes fitted at the waist, and while I have big hips, it’s actually more at the top of my thighs and way below where this top finishes. I’m happy with the fit of the top (although I did extend the release pleats in the front about 2 inches higher to make the waist more defined):

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As a self-taught sewer, who doesn’t have the free time to go to sewing classes, I really enjoyed learning the proper way to do things to get a professional look. I feel like it helped refine my sewing techniques and I love the top. I don’t think it looks homemade.

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And here’s my attempt at a Sassy Librarian look:

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I think the next course I need to take is “how to take timer self-portraits without looking like a dork”!

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The course felt a little slow at times (as someone who just likes to rush in and get things done), but it’s well worth watching the videos for all the tips and tricks. I’m loving the blouse and already have the fabric picked out for the next one I’m going to make. Now I just have to find time to sew in amongst Christmas chaos!

Have you done any Craftsy classes?

11 Comments

  1. This is cute! I like that you extended the darts higher. It looks great on you. Oh, and using thrifted fabrics is the best! 🙂

  2. Super cute. That shade of pink looks really good on you. I’ve signed up for a few Craftsy classes, but so far only the free ones. They’re mostly about quilting, but I’m hoping to move into more clothes sewing soon.

    1. Thanks! I just discovered I have a blouse in my wardrobe exactly the same colour, and a very similar fabric. Hee hee – I must like it!

      I’ve signed up for some of the free classes too, but haven’t actually watched them yet!

  3. Looks gorgeous. ou obviously ended up picking the perfect size – it fits really well. I am very tempted.
    I too have experienced some of the slowness of Craftsy courses. I have watched a lot of the Sewing with Knits course by Meg McElwee. She certainly has some great advice about sewing with knits and I have been so much happier with all my knit projects using her tips and tricks but it was very slow and I did need to sit through a lot of not so interesting stuff to learn what I did – worth it in the end though…

    1. I was wondering about the Sewing with Knits class. I guess it’s like going to a class in person too – there’s always boring bits you have to sit through. It just seems more obvious when you’re sitting at home and you’re trying to get things done before the kids wake up! I’m still glad I did the course though.

  4. This turned out great! Love the light weight fabric and the color. These retro looks are really coming back. Thanks for sharing today.
    Donna @onceuponasewingmachine.com

  5. I love the title “Sassy Librarian.” I just went to The Music Man, and it reminded me of that. I think it turned out really cute and I think the pink is really pretty.

  6. This turned out great! I’d seen it on Craftsy and thought it was cute, but like it even more now that I’ve seen your photos. Thanks for linking to Craftastic Monday at Sew Can Do:)

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