Introducing the Dara Blouse!

Dara is a chemise-style blouse with a romantic, voluminous fit. The dreamy shape comes from a gathered neckline and raglan sleeves, both finished with bias tape.

Version 1 features decorative lace insertions so you can play with texture.

Version 2 omits the lace, leaving a blank canvas for beautiful fabrics.

Sarah is wearing a size 00 Dara blouse with 1" removed from the bust. Her measurements are 30 3/4" (78 cm), 23 1/2" (59.7 cm), 35 1/2" (90.2 cm), and she is 5'3 1/2" (1.61 m) tall.

She’s wearing a Viscose Crepe by Mind the Maker. The bonus is Textured Rayon and Linen, both from Stonemountain & Daughter Fabrics.

Iman is wearing a size 16 Dara blouse from our 12-30 size range. We added 1" to the sleeve length. Her measurements are 44" (111.75 cm), 36 1/2" (92.75 cm), 47 1/2" (120.7 cm), and she is 5'9 1/2" (1.77 m) tall.

She’s wearing a Cotton and Polyester Batiste. The bonus is an Atelier Brunette Cotton Double Gauze, both from Stonemountain & Daughter Fabrics.

The member bonus adds just a bit more romance with an elasticized ruffled hem on the sleeve. 

Fabric and Fit

Fabric recommendations: Look for lightweight or medium-weight woven fabrics such as cotton lawn, cotton gauze, voile, chambray, swiss dot, rayon challis, linen, rayon crepe, and silk.

The sleeves have a lot of volume, so pay attention to your fabric’s drape and body. Fabrics with a crisper body and less drape will create a more voluminous effect. Fabrics with more drape will billow at the sleeves.

Seamwork members, take advantage of your member deals this month! You can save up to 20% off your order here.

Fitting tips:

• Follow this tutorial to lengthen and shorten a sewing pattern
  


• If you need to adjust the armhole depth, use this tutorial.


• If you want to blend between sizes, use this video tutorial.


• To adjust the shoulder slope, follow this tutorial.


• 
  Here are fitting tutorials for the shoulders and sleeves.


• Here are tutorials for wide or narrow shoulder adjustments
  


• Here are tutorials for small bust adjustments and full bust adjustments.



• If you prefer videos, there are bust adjustment videos in the Hansie sewalong here

Seamwork Style Ideas

This blouse has a bunch of volume in the sleeves, so you have to get a little creative with your layering.

Pair the Dara blouse with a pinafore like Dani to let those sleeves flow.

Tuck it into high-waisted jeans like Chelsea, with a flare at the bottom of the leg to add more shape to your silhouette.

For warmer weather, wear Dara with your favorite pair of shorts, like Miller.

Ambassador Projects

Some of the Seamwork Ambassadors sewed up the new patterns already!

Lauren sewed the Dara blouse in this dreamy gauze. “It’s a super quick sew. With the right fabric, it drapes beautifully and is easy to adjust the neckline fit to perfectly suit my body before adding the binding.”

Kathy sewed the Dara blouse in chambray with white lace. “I’m really ready for spring with this cute top! Paired with the Witt Joggers!”

Angela sewed the Dara blouse in lightweight cotton sateen.

Edith sewed Dara and shortened the sleeves.