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Today’s visitor to our blog is none other than Erica, who has joined us wearing her signature look—a pair of Tuxedo Stripe Hollywood Trousers paired with a cozy Neighborhood Sweatshirt. She’s here to share her experience with sewing the Liesl + Co. Rush Hour Blouse, and we’re thrilled to have her insights. Thank you so much for stopping by, Erica!
The moment I laid eyes on the Rush Hour Blouse pattern, I knew it was something I needed to sew. What really caught my attention was its unique asymmetrical flounce, which strikes the perfect balance between fullness and sleekness. Add to that the Dior-inspired darts combined with princess seams, and you get a garment that offers incredible shaping and structure. I was especially impressed that the pattern includes cup sizes, and the fit aligns perfectly with other Liesl + Co. patterns I’ve worked with.
I actually got to test the pattern for Liesl during the colder months in Canada. Thinking ahead to layering under a winter coat, I decided to give it a try using a thick scuba knit (or possibly ponte knit, depending on your store’s labeling). To ensure comfort, I also lined it with a stretchy fabric. Since I was testing the pattern, I only adjusted the shoulder size to accommodate a larger fit. I’m really pleased with how it turned out—it’s both polished enough for office wear and casual enough for evenings out. The blend of structure and stretch makes it surprisingly comfortable, even though it fits snugly.
These photos were taken after wearing and washing the blouse several times, so I feel confident that the fabric I chose (though somewhat mysterious in terms of exact composition) works well.
After the pattern release, I couldn’t resist adding a summer version to my sewing list. Originally, I planned to make a short-sleeved Lisette B6561 with this eyelet fabric, then I swapped it for an Afternoon Tea Blouse idea. Finally, I decided to use it for a sleeveless summer version of the Rush Hour blouse instead. To keep things light and airy, I lined it with some white cotton voile from my stash.
As I began working on this version, I came across Lisa’s sleeveless version for her daughter. Her design inspired me to experiment with mini-piping, but I ultimately decided to stick with my original plan. Still, I’m really happy with how it turned out.
One concern I had was whether a woven version would feel tight compared to the knit. To address this, I quickly sewed a muslin using a similar woven fabric. Based on guidance from *The Palmer/Pletsch Complete Guide to Fitting*, I made some minor adjustments, such as lengthening the bodice by 1.25 inches. I usually add about an inch of length to my torso in blouses, but in the end, I decided to simplify things by going up one size and adding the extra length. It was a valuable learning experience to practice fitting tweaks, but simplicity won out this time. With princess seams, adjusting seam allowances by 1/8-inch in certain areas helped achieve a great fit. The pattern even prompts you to try it on for fit along the way.
Sewing the sleeveless version taught me that finishing the armholes is trickier than inserting sleeves. At first, I found the instructions confusing, but following them word-for-word resulted in a beautifully clean finish inside and out. There’s something satisfying about achieving such a professional result through clear instructions!
I’m already looking forward to wearing this blouse to an upcoming wedding shower. Both versions—the winter knit and summer woven—are sure to become staples in my wardrobe. And guess what? I’ve added the Rush Hour dress to my sewing queue too!
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