A few years ago I only wore dresses now I love wearing separates. Dresses are lovely to wear in summer but can leave my body quite cold – especially in the middle of winter.

I have been looking for the perfect blouse pattern for a while. One which looks good with pants, pinafores, and skirts. I was inspired by  Shauni’s top hack  of the Reeta Shirt dress pattern. I was drawn to the shirt elements but with a neckline which feels more feminine that a traditional button-up with a collar stand.

I had previously purchased a meter of the green tencel twill for a boxy top but chose to make it into this top instead. I didn’t have enough matching fabric to finish the internal yoke or hidden undercollar so I used scraps of navy tencel from an earlier project. I love this detail of the top. They aren’t details that anyone else can see but I get to enjoy. Colour-blocking is a great way to use up scraps and make your wardrobe cohesive.

Reeta shirt dress worn with KP Hall pants in linen and Hampton Jean Jacket.

My top is size 42 I made no changes to the pattern other than not inserting the collar in correctly. I ended up removing the back section of the collar as it made the front collar look odd where as the collar above looks like it was designed this way.  While wearing this top I’ve found the sleeves a teeny bit snug on my forearms. I will adjust my pattern next time to add a 1cm full bicep adjustment and mark the bust darts slightly shorter. I would also cut the sleeves without the cuffs. Garments without cuffs are easier to layer.

I didn’t want any visible stitching lines on the outside of the garment in the area of the facings. Thankfully the placement of the buttonholes and buttons hold the facings in place. I prefer this top tucked in at the front as the front of the garment is large as it is designed to have extra ease.. Helen’s Closet Gilbert Shirt is probably a better shape. The one thing about this top is it always needs ironing after washing – Is this the case for all tencel twill?

This top is a great style which goes with so many items in my wardrobe. I probably won’t make the pattern again but I’ll enjoy wearing this top. Isn’t it amazing what you can make from a meter of fabric!