If you haven’t guessed already by the title, I started on the Colette Sorbetto this week after discovering it on the website, various Instagram photos in my feed and Samantha’s awesome Sorbetto post. I love the look of the blouse with the pleat in the center running all the way down. The blouse has options of with or without sleeves but I knew that I would make one with sleeves because I really don’t prefer the sleeveless blouse look on me.
I already had fabric in my stash that I thought would be lovely with this pattern. I originallay bought this fabric for a Sew Over It Pussy Bow Blouse, however I ended up making the kitty cat one instead.
This fabric is a crepe that I bought from Fabric.com and I love the floral detail.
The pattern for the Sorbetto is very straightforward, however it does call for bias tape around the neckline. I knew that I did not want to use manufactured bias tape for this project so I decided to make my own.
I purchased this bias tape maker kit off of Amazon for $8.50. This kit comes with tape makers in 4 different sizes. I ended up making a double fold bias tape to use around the neckline using the largest 25 size tape maker and folding it over.
This is where my sewing confidence went from high to low. I completely struggled with this step because I was making small mistakes that turned into one big mess. After sewing on the bias tape it was drooping and not sitting flat against my neck. I wanted to cry because before adding the bias tape the blouse fit perfectly.
I ended up removing the bias tape and starting over. I remeasured the neckline and recut another strip of fabric. After making the bias tape, I then reattached it to the neckline. This fixed the gaping issue however, I started to realize then that I had not sewn the pleat wide enough after viewing various Instagram posts as well as The Colette website pictures. The pleat on the website looked to be around 2 inches wide and mine was more like 1 inch! I then reread the pattern instructions (shame on me for glossing over this step the first time).
This pleat issue meant that I had to again remove the bias tape so that I could widen my pleat. I restitched the pleat, this time going down the line that is indicated on the front pattern piece. Having to remove the bias tape a second time was frustrating but such a valuable learning experience! I am going to make a full effort to read the pattern instructions all the way through when working with new patterns from now on I swear!
After deepening the pleat I was really happy with the way it turned out
I also decided to modify the sleeves with the puffy ones that I made in my last Moneta. I really love the look of puffy sleeve and until I get tired of this look I will add puffy sleeves whenever I get the inspiration.
After hemming my blouse I was done.
I really love this pattern, the blouse is lovely and would recommend it highly!
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Thank you for reading and have a beautiful day!
Oh, my, goodness, Carmen – it’s beautiful!!! Love, love, love!
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Thank you! 😘
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This blouse is absolutely wonderful. Great job Carmen!
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Haha. Thank you 😘
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Its beautiful! I love the floral pattern of the fabric! I often have issues with bias tape too, did you use any tutorials to help?
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Thank you! I used a tutorial for making the bias tape but not the actual installation. I should have done this or I could have avoided the droopy neckline. Haha 😃
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What was the problem with the droopy neckline? The bias tape was too short? (I am thinking of sewing a sorbetto, but last time I tried to bias a neckline I re-did it a few times and never got it quite right!)
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I think it was a combination of the pleat not being quite wide enough the first time and a wrong measurement on my part of the neckline. I was also extra careful when I re did the bias tape to not stretch it out when I was sewing it on. You should try the pattern, it is free right now to download. Please don’t hesitate to contact me too if you need tips on making it. 😃
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Try ‘stay-stitching’ the neck just inside the seam allowance. It will stop it stretching as you add the binding.
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Looks wonderful! Worth all the troubles!
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Thank you! I’m glad that I didn’t give up because I was tempted to. Lol
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I loooooove that top.
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Thank you!
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That looks so good! The floral fabric is beautiful on you. That stinks you had so much problem with the bias tape. Keep at it! It’s totally worth making your own bias tape.
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Thank you! Yeah. I had moments where I wanted to throw it out my bedroom widow but I persevered! Lol
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Oh this looks really cute!
How is the fit? I’m curious as so many people have had issues (myself included) with the fit of Colette and they now have a new block.
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Thank you! The fit is great. I think that Colette worked on this one for the better. I only had to take it in a bit on the sides 🙂
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Love that fabric! You might have put some extra time into it but with the fabric and the self-made binding and the fit, it looks great on you!
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Thank you so much!
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I bet you’re so glad you persevered, it’s gorgeous 😃
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Thank you! 😃
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This is stunning! I want one just like it with puffy sleeves and matching headband and everything!!! *furiously searches for a similar crepe in the u.k*
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Thank you! The headband was super easy too! 😃
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Looks fantastic
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Thank you!
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I love it! I have seen the pattern too and always wondered if it could work. Any suggestions for making princess seamed top from the shoulders and not the armholes? And, I love the bias tape maker. Very nice!!!
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Thank you! I’ve never actually made princess seams but that sounds like like a lovely idea. I actually wanted to try princess seams with my next dress bodice 😀
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Please try it! I am very interested in trying to make a fast and easy and yet still stylish shift dress.😊
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A beautiful little top. So glad you sorted out the neckline / pleat issue as it look so pretty now!
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Thank you! Yes it was tricky but I’m glad I finished it 😀
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Congrats being in the top 3 for the giveaway! Totally voted for you. Hope you win! 🙂
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Thank you so much sweetie! I’m still in shock that I made the top 3 😀
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Oh what a pretty top! it looks lovely. It can be soul destroying sitting and unpicking nice neat sewing can’t it? but it looks like it was worth it and it fits just right 🙂
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Thank you! Haha yes soul destroying is a good correlation. 😀
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Beautiful Sorbetto! This is the perfect pattern to showcase such a lovely fabric – I was curious to know how you fixed your baggy neck issue – had you staystitched the neckline before putting on the bias tape? Caroline has a great tutorial on her blog re bias finish http://handmadebycarolyn.com.au/?s=bias+finish&submit=Search that you might find helpful in the future 🙂 Caroline is an amazing maker!
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Thank you! I did stay stitch the neck line but still had issues. I think I ended up recutting the band and that worked. 😀
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That looks amazing! I just made the Sorbetto top myself, starting with a muslin… my first project ever… and had the same exact thing happen with the pleat! It didn’t dawn on me what the issue was until seeing your blog and realizing mine also was too narrow. Hoping mine turns out even half as nice as yours did!
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Awesome! glad I could help you. Im sure yours will turn out amazing 🙂
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