We've been looking forward to making up the Nexus Blouse by Papercut Patterns since its release! Made up in a linen rayon blend, we love its voluminous gathered sleeves and vintage poetic style. This blouse would make a perfect trans-seasonal staple in any wardrobe. Read on for our review of this pattern, kindly worn here by Zosia from our HQ team.
Pattern Review
Nexus Blouse by Papercut Patterns
This versatile long sleeve blouse features a curved V-neck button up front with the option of a shaped shirt hemline or a cropped straight hem. You can select your favourite sleeve option, the un-gathered version for a wide sleeve, or cuffed and gathered with a button fastening. Whichever your preferred style, the Nexus will be your go-to blouse for any occasion!
Zosia's measurements were in between a 3 and a 4 but after toiling the size 3 we decided we liked this look better as it was slightly more fitted in the body while the sleeves were still full. We chose our Linen / Rayon - Lavender (143cm wide) taking 1.4m for the blouse and we couldn't be happier with the suitability of the fabric for this pattern! No alterations were made to the pattern, easy!
Details added were some pretty shell buttons to give a relaxed, beachy vibe. Sewing instructions were easy to follow, the only part that may trip-up sewist's new to cuffs is that the instructions for the cuff and button hole placement don’t specify to mirror the placement for the other side of the sleeve.
Papercut recommend this pattern for Skilled sewists and we would agree.
Fabric Recommendations
Linen / Rayon - Lavender
The linen rayon blend we used gave us beautiful texture while lending more drape and movement from the rayon, which suited this pattern well! Papercut recommend light to medium weight woven fabrics with drape. If you're a fan of the voluminous sleeve style you could use a light weight crisp cotton or 100% linen but if you prefer the softer, drapey look silks, rayon and viscose would be ideal.
Check out our suggestions featured below, from the top to bottom: Silk Crepe De Chine - Pale Lilac, Motif Print Soft Cotton Voile - Lavender / White, Rayon Crepe - Vintage Rose, Liberty of London Tana Lawn - Annabel / C, Sprinkle Print Viscose Crepe - Marine, Chalk Stripe Linen - White / Carbon, Liberty of London Saville Poplin - Axion / C & Rayon Crepe - Steel.
We love the romantic feel of this gorgeous poetic blouse and can't wait to see all the different variations made up! Don’t forget to share your makes with us on Instagram by tagging @wearethefabricstore or using #thefabricstore