Sharing today’s post with you makes me really happy and a bit excited. Susana and I have been working on this pattern for a few months and today, finally it’s coming to life! 😊

As my girls are growing I find it more challenging to get clothes that are age adequate. Not too grown up, not too childish. They like to wear dresses and skirts but jeans are also popular around here and that is also fine, but I still like to look at them and not see a mini grown up. I know this is personal preference and some might disagree. On the other hand, I understand and respect that they are not little children anymore and have their own style and preferences. That is when the idea of a blouse that would be age adequate crossed my mind but, I can’t make patterns…

Also, I thought other girls would like to wear these blouses, but then again… I can’t make patterns, I don’t have the knowledge. That’s when I thought about Susana! I know her patterns and I know she works really well, so maybe she would be interested in making a pattern. I’m so glad she agreed! She definitely put a lot of work into it. A few muslins and a test later, the Maria Blouse is now live! 😊

The blouse has two bodice options, four sleeves and two collar options. Can you imagine how many blouses you will be able to make with this pattern? Plus, it comes from sizes 3 to 14 years old!

As I’ve made a few blouses, I will make two blog posts. Today I’ll be sharing the gathered bodice version and on Monday I’ll be sharing more versions.

For F, I made a version with ruffle sleeves and collar, in size 6 for width and 8 for length. In case you need, just as I did, to blend sizes, the instructions also include this adjustment.

F still likes to wear ruffled collars, so I made this version for her. Isn’t the collar so sweet?

The fabric is very lightweight and I liked it so much when I saw it at Pra Kriar that I forgot to see the composition! This is something very unlikely in me but it happened. I believe it is a cotton though. I bought the last metre available but there was another fabric very similar, that I also bought and it will be another Maria Blouse, for M.

On the other hand, M is not so keen on wearing ruffled collars… so I made a version with peter pan collar and short sleeves. As you see, the pattern has versions for all tastes 😉

I must say that I also find a peter pan collar adorable!

For this version I used a Liberty Betsy Porcelain. This is one of my favourite prints and the colours are so beautiful.

It’s no secret that I like some vintage inspiration and for that reason I mentioned to Susana that I would like the blouse to include puff sleeves option but I confess that the sleeves Susana designed exceeded my expectations. Those sleeves are so pretty! From my two daughters, F is the one that likes more this kind of style so, I made this version for her.

Even though she is nine already, I think she wears this version so well, without looking childish at all.

For this version I used, again, a Liberty Betsy but this time in turquoise.

Hope you like this pattern as much as I do and I’ll be sharing more versions on Monday, so that you can see how versatile this pattern is. 😊