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Today, we’re thrilled to have Erica join us from our Advisors Circle. She’s arrived wearing her signature Tuxedo Stripe Hollywood Trousers paired with a cozy Neighborhood Sweatshirt. Erica is here to share all about her recent sewing projects, and we’re so glad she could be with us today!
The moment I laid eyes on the Rush Hour Blouse pattern, I knew it was something I had to sew. Unlike your average peplum tops, this design feels truly unique. I was immediately drawn to the asymmetrical flounce, which strikes the perfect balance between loose and fitted, along with the Dior-inspired darts and princess seams that offer such refined shaping. I’m particularly grateful that the pattern includes cup sizes, and the sizing aligns perfectly with the other Liesl + Co. patterns I’ve worked with.
During my pattern testing phase with Liesl, I decided to give the Rush Hour Blouse a try for the first time. At that time, it was still quite chilly in Canada, so I opted for a thick knit with great structure. I envisioned it layering beautifully under a winter coat. For this version, I chose a charcoal grey fabric from my local fabric store, which they labeled as scuba knit but felt more like ponte knit to me. To enhance the fit, I also added a stretch lining. Since I was testing the pattern, I only made slight adjustments, grading up a size in the shoulders.
I’m really pleased with how this piece turned out. It’s versatile enough to dress up a casual pair of jeans or look professional for the office or a night out when paired with an Extra-Sharp Pencil Skirt or Hollywood Trousers. Surprisingly, despite its fitted nature, it remains comfortable thanks to the excellent fit and a touch of stretch in the fabric. These photos were taken after multiple wears and washes, and I believe this mysterious fabric (whose exact composition I'm unsure of) is a solid choice.
After the pattern was officially released, I added a summer version to my ever-growing sewing list. Initially, I had planned to use this eyelet fabric for a short-sleeved Lisette B6561, then reconsidered it for an Afternoon Tea Blouse. However, I eventually decided to make a sleeveless summer version of the Rush Hour Blouse instead. I lined it with some white cotton voile from my stash.
As I began working on this summer blouse, I saw Lisa’s sleeveless version she made for her daughter. It made me wish I had incorporated mini-piping too! But since I was already committed to this project, I decided to embrace it fully and was ultimately satisfied with the result.
When it came to the woven version, I initially worried that the same size might feel tight. So, I quickly made a muslin using some woven fabric, adjusting slightly based on guidance from *The Palmer/Pletsch Complete Guide to Fitting* (2018). For the muslin, I skipped the peplum entirely and added about 1.25 inches to the length at the lengthen/shorten line. I usually like to add an extra inch of length to my torso in blouse patterns. Ultimately, I decided to simplify things by simply going up one size and adding the extra length. It's always a rewarding experience to experiment with custom adjustments, but sometimes keeping it simple is best. Through minor tweaks like adjusting seam allowances by 1/8-inch in certain areas, I achieved a great fit. The instructions even prompt you to try it on during the process.
Finishing the armholes on the sleeveless version was a bit trickier than regular sleeve insertion. At first glance, the instructions seemed confusing, but following them step-by-step revealed their brilliance. As expected, Liesl’s clear instructions led to a clean, professional finish both inside and out. There’s nothing quite like feeling clever after successfully executing her techniques! *Note: Liesl has since created a video tutorial titled “How to Finish the Rush Hour Dress Armhole†for those who prefer a visual approach.*
I’m planning to wear this blouse to an upcoming wedding shower, and I expect it will become a staple in my wardrobe, joining the winter version I’ve already made. I’ve also added the Rush Hour dress to my ever-growing sewing queue!
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As a final note, the versatility of this pattern is what truly stands out to me. Whether you're looking for a cozy winter blouse or a breezy summer option, the Rush Hour Blouse offers endless possibilities. I can't wait to see what future iterations I’ll create!