{"id":81917,"date":"2023-11-27T10:47:58","date_gmt":"2023-11-27T15:47:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/?p=81917"},"modified":"2023-11-22T03:23:29","modified_gmt":"2023-11-22T08:23:29","slug":"the-versatility-of-the-amarena-dress-and-blouse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2023\/11\/the-versatility-of-the-amarena-dress-and-blouse.html","title":{"rendered":"the versatility of the amarena dress and blouse"},"content":{"rendered":"

When I saw Sue’s versions of the Amarena dress and blouse, I knew we needed to hear more! Today Sue shares her inspiration, customizations, and styling of the Amarena dress and blouse.<\/em><\/p>\n

When the pattern testing opportunity came out for the Amarena Dress<\/a> and blouse, I was thrilled to be able to do so and jumped right into maker mode as this was the perfect style! Liesl & Co\u2019s aesthetic fits so well into my wardrobe & lifestyle.<\/p>\n

\"womanWhile I committed to the View B V-neck dress in a champagne rayon blend jacquard shirting for testing, I decided to create a toile as a blouse with the View A collared neckline. I love the creative opportunities that are always offered with Liesl\u2019s patterns and am always trying to extend how I can use each option for different looks!<\/p>\n

My body measurements generally fit into a Liesl & Co pattern size 6, although I always measure myself first as things shift! The only modification that I made to the pattern was to the sleeves. My arms from shoulder to wrist are 20 \u00bd\u201d and because I was hoping for a wearable toile and my stash fabric had nice drape, I decided to modify the wrist treatment of the sleeve.<\/p>\n

The stash fabric that I used for the Amarena blouse was a 1 \u00be yards\/55\u201d wide length of a black floral rayon poplin blend. I made the blouse exactly as listed in the directions, leaving the sleeve hem for last as I had several inspiration sleeve treatments on my Pinterest board and I also used a \u201cmyBodyModel\u201d croquis to try different versions, a bit like paper dolls! I decided to style it using the gorgeous shape of the collar as my idea.<\/p>\n

\"vision<\/p>\n

First, I started by trying on the blouse and pinning off the fabric at the topside of my wrist (opposite side from the sleeve seam) that allowed for a snug fit including a pleat that would be inside the sleeve hem but left me enough room to slide my hand through at the wrist.<\/p>\n

Next, I turned the sleeve inside out and made a pleat that would open at the top of my sleeve hem of the excess fabric by creating a seam for the pleat. Starting at the unhemmed edge of the sleeve, my pleat seam was sewn 3\u201d, then back sewn for extra strength.<\/p>\n

\"insideAfter sewing the pleat seam, I centered the pleat over the seam and basted the pleat and sleeve hem together (I overlocked mine) to turn the hem per the pattern instructions.<\/p>\n

Lastly, the hem was turned over 1 \u00bd\u201d which keeps the sleeve snug at my wrist. I hemmed by hand, but it could be done by machine.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"womanNext steps for Amarena on my cutting table!\u00a0The first addition was to change the look of the dress for a holiday version. The fabric is a rayon blend with gold Lurex dots woven through it for some \u201cshine\u201d and sized up to an 8 through the body to allow for extra fullness. I used gold piping on the View A collar and View B pockets.<\/p>\n

\"woman<\/p>\n

I also paired this Amarena with a wrap belt (Sew House Seven Wildwood Wrap<\/a>) for a completely new look.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

I love to use my croquis paper doll designs to come up with new combinations- typically I draw in black and white so that I leave my fabric options\/color blocking open. Here are a couple of examples:<\/p>\n