isola blouse + dress fabric and inspiration

Liesl Gibson

12 hours ago

I’m back, this time to talk about fabric and styling ideas for our Isola Blouse + Dress sewing pattern. This one is fun, so let’s go!

When I introduced you to this style I described the details. This is such a simple style, but with an elegant gathered neckline that keeps in interesting and a little bit whimsical. And because it’s so classic, I think a white Isola Blouse would be a great addition to many wardrobes. Here are a few to show you what I mean. And when I say white I don’t mean pure white, but any shade of cream, ivory, light beige, etc. And remember all the different fabrics you could possibly choose from! Look at these beautiful satins and textures.

Here are some more.

But if white isn’t your thing, go for some color! Or may be a pretty print. I love the waist detail on the blouses below, which you could absolutely do with this pattern, cutting the blouse a little longer and including the dress belt detail, or including just the front part of it.

And here is where the fabrics get exciting! Lace, eyelet, anything with a nice texture and a little drape to it. I made one from a navy lace that I’ll show you soon.

So pretty, right? I’ve also been wearing my navy eyelet Isola Blouse absolutely everywhere: the opera, casual weekends, out to dinner, to work. I love it with everything from jeans to wool trousers to my vintage leather pencil skirt. I’ll show you some of the ways I’ve been wearing that one soon, also.

You can see more ideas in my Isola Blouse + Dress Pinterest folder, of course.

But what about fabric, you say? Here are a few ideas from my favorite on-line fabric store. Obviously these won’t be available forever, but I hope they’ll give you some direction and inspiration so you can start looking for fabrics on your own. I suggest, light- to medium-weight cotton, linen, rayon, and of course lace or eyelet for this style, but let that be your starting point and go from there.

Here’s your white blouse in viscose crepe. Satin but not overly shiny.

I like the sophisticated color, print, and texture on this cotton.

This cotton viscose voile has a fun opaque/sheer texture happening that would be fun for the blouse

a good clip spot like this cotton voile would be a great way to add more texture to your sewing

if you’re a fan of purple this silk crepe du chine is a particular pretty shade. There are plenty of other colors, too, but this one caught my eye.

If you’re a fan of Dries van Noten this printed silk crepe du Chine might catch your eye. And the black ground would keep it from being too transparent, if that’s a concern.

Getting fancy, maybe? Check out this beaded lace that would be stunning for a formal event.

Isn’t this cotton sateen terrific? I love the shiny/matte texture.

For the dress, in addition to linen I just keep thinking wool poly crepe. It would be so lovely and drapey and nice for autumn and winter.

This wool crepe would be wonderful for the dress in any rich color.

Another gorgeous fabric for the dress, this wool-poly blend says it’s heavy but fluid, which would be ideal for this style. I’m tempted…

Does that get you thinking and dreaming about the fabrics you might choose for this one, whether you sew the blouse or the dress? Or both! I hope so! I can’t wait to see what you choose and how you wear it. Like I said, I’ll be back with more styling ideas and photos of more examples that I’ve sewn and that our testers have sewn.

In the meantime, you can pick up your own copy of the Isola Blouse + Dress sewing pattern either in paper or in digital format. Obviously I can’t wait to see what fabrics you choose and how you style it! I hope you’ll share with us on social media and tag it ##isolablousedress and #lieslandco so we can find it. Happy sewing!