I am only slightly embarrassed to admit that this make is over 3 weeks old at this point*. What? I’ve been busy, ok??
This is the Belcarra Blouse from Sewaholic Patterns. Described as a super simple/wardrobe staple top, this bad boy has no darts or tucks (ladies, can I get a hell yeah?), raglan sleeves (requiring no setting like a traditional sleeve, which means – let’s have another hell yeah!), and a simple bias bound neckline. I knew it would be quick and easy, but I wondered – would it be flattering?
Obviously, that crazy paisley fabric would hide a lot of sins (if there were any to hide mwahahahaha), but I think it’s safe to step out of my cave and say, yes! Yes, this shit is flattering! Yes, it’s comfy! Yes, it’s breezy and cool to wear when the temperatures are still hanging out in hell territory. Yes yes yes!
I shit you not, I made this in an afternoon. From cutting, to sewing, to finishing – it only took a few hours. I followed the instructions as written – except in the case of the neck binding, I found that I needed to shorten it to get it to lay right (which I was anticipating, because my rayon challis has a slight stretch to it). I cut a size 0, which is my usual Sewaholic size, and took in the side seams an extra 1/2″ because it seemed a little overwhelmingly big when I first tried it on. Otherwise, pretty good straight out of the envelope! Good and fast.
My initial concern was whether or not this would actually be flattering, as I’m not one to really embrace loose shapes (I’m trying, though! It makes for a more comfortable summer when a breeze can blow between you and whatever unfortunate piece of clothing you happen to be wearing!). To be honest – when I first saw the pattern, I brushed it off as ~not me~. It wasn’t until I found myself staring at this silk Georgia tee from Elizabeth Suzann** that I realized the key to making this pattern look good on me was using a fabric with a gorgeous, fluid drape (and it doesn’t hurt that the Georgia tee is a VERY similar style and shape – albeit with kimono sleeves instead of raglan, and no waist shaping – so I could see this put into action).
I know I joked about making this pattern with this fabric so that it would match my Crazy Paisley Hollyburn, but forreal, these two are a match made in heaven. The rayon challis has pretty much no body to it whatsoever – just a nice drape that flows like water. This keeps the top from being too structured, and thus the excess ease hangs in soft folds, instead of sticking out all crazy and giving me a weird shape. I like it! And next, I want to make this shit up in some SILK!
To further prove my point, here is the top when worn loose over jeans. Doesn’t that look lovely?
I kept this particular style very simple (well, as simple as you can be when you’re dealing with a fabric design that wack-o, amirite), but I’d love to experiment with different fabrics and textures to really play up on the raglan sleeves. I’d love to try it with a two-sided silk satin – keeping the body matte, with the cuffs and bias binding shiny. Or even make it out of two different colors of silk, as a sort of fancy baseball tshirt!
Not a lot of shots of the inside, but here you can see the guts. Serged seams, self-cuffs cut on the bias, and self bias neckline that is topstitched down.
The only thing I will change about future Belcarras is that I’d like to take the neckline in to be a bit less wide. The wide neckline is lovely, but it also means that bra straps are constantly getting flashed. I also feel like it almost looks *too* wide on me – and that it’s not balanced. Thoughts? I’m also waffling with shortening it, because it seems too long when it’s tucked in, but I think it looks just right when it’s untucked. Decisions, decisions!
Oh, one last thing-
You know I totally tried that shit on with my matching Hollyburn – and it surprisingly works! Really! Even Landon agreed (after laughing at me when he saw me pulling both pieces out of the closet). It might be that the fabric is so busy, you can’t really see what’s going on – but, fuck, it sure looks like a dress to me. Y’all have no idea how tickled I am about this discovery.
Anyway, what are your thoughts on the Belcarra? Love it? Hate it? What’s your go-to woven tshirt pattern?
Ooh, one more thing! As you’ve undoubtedly already heard all about, I’m going to be teaching a small class while I’m in London this November, over at Tilly HQ, in her gorgeous new studio!! My Zips+Buttonholes Worshop will teach you how to insert both invisible and lapped zippers, and also guide you through sewing flawless button holes (for both one-step/automatic and four-step/manual). Afterwards, we will celebrate with a delicious cocktail and we can talk about how typing ‘buttonholes’ usually ends up being ‘buttholes’ (just me?).
If any of y’all Londoners are sad that you have to miss my class at The Sewing Party due to international restrictions – here’s your make-up chance (except this one is better, because it’s in PERSON! Actually, that might be worse, depending on how annoying you find me HA HA HA). Sign up for the Zips+Buttonholes Worshop here, or peruse all the neat workshops here (wish I could take that copy your clothes one taught by Zoe! Argh!).
* As of publishing, I still have 3 unblogged garments to post – I seem to have no problem finding the time to sew; my issue is finding the time to write about it!
** You’ve probably already picked up on this at some point, but yes, I work for Elizabeth part-time as a production seamstress (my ~main money~ income is being a personal assistant for another entrepreneur. Yeah. It rules.). I sew on some of the coolest industrial machines, handle gorgeous silks and linens all day, and watch a loooot of Netflix. It’s just as awesome as it sounds.
LLADYBIRD 
As always, it looks fantastic on you! Everything you make looks great on you. I fucking hate you. NAHHH not really. Your hair is gorgeous too! You are too perfect for damned words. Rock on kiddo!
Hahaha!! I will disagree that everything looks great on me – I just know to avoid making things that don’t flatter my shape 😉 And YES, I was having a good hair day that day! Can’t say my hair is doing that kind of magic right now, though 😛
Your Belcarra looks great! I’ve made 2 . The first one is April Rhodes Arizona . Nice fabric but a bit too stiff for my taste. The second one is Liberty Lifestyle – much better. It has more drape & fits better because it doesn’t stick out -. In my opinion this top needs some drape . But it is an easy top to sew.
Oh, I love those Arizona fabrics but you’re right – a bit too stiff. Of course, you can never go wrong with Liberty 🙂
Everything looks great on you. It shows, that you not only are an amazing sewist, but very aware of your body and how to dress it. You are an inspiration! I am so glad that I found your blog!
Aw, thank you! 🙂
Wow I love it with the matching skirt. It definitely looks like a dress. You’re absolutely right it’s flattering even though it’s loose. Winner. Zoe
Doesn’t it make the cutest little dress? Kind of want to play up on that and make more, ha!
It IS flattering! I think it helps that the sides are curved – it doesn’t just hang straight down like a box – and that there are cuffs and the sleeves don’t just hang there, either. (Have I ever seen cuffs on raglan sleeves? Hm. I like it.)
It does look like a dress, yes! I know what you mean about the neckline – I have a blouse with the same bra strap problem. Probably wouldn’t need much adjustment – would still look nicely wide, just not TOO wide.
In the pictures, the tucked-in length doesn’t look bunched up under the skirts, but maybe it’s different in person?
It doesn’t really bunch up when it’s tucked in, it just *feels* like it’s too long. But, then again, it looks like it’s an ok length when it’s untucked so I think I’m just being nitpicky (or I’ve been staring at those cropped Georgias for too long! :))
well, that is two-piece taken to a whole new level…
Ha, forreal!
Looks great – and yes, making it in a very fluid fabric – yes. I’ve seen pics of this top done in a stiffer fabric and it becomes more boxy. I wasn’t too sure I wanted to make one because of that, but I might reconsider after seeing your version.
And yes – I completely agree about bringing in the width of the neckline. It looks good when one is sitting quietly, but I can totally see that moving around would result in the frequent flashing of bra straps if not more… ahem….
Haha! Well, it doesn’t really flash more than a shoulder, but I totally know what ya mean 🙂
I made a woven t-shirt out of Simplicity 1690 and it is okay. I made it out of cotton though and it gets all weird and bunchy depending on how I wear it though. I never thought to try different fabrics out to get rid of the bunchiness!
I think your top looks really nice! I think the neckline doesn’t look big on you (you could always put those bra strap holder things in?), but maybe an inch or two off the bottom would look good untucked as well.
Regardless, it look so cute with both skirts! 🙂
Oh yeah, fluid drape is where it’s at! If you’re planning on doing any sort of tucking, you definitely want to use fabric that doesn’t have a lot of body 🙂
I thought about using the bra strap carriers, but I also realized I would probably never actually sew them on. At least I’m being honest about it, I guess, hahahaha
I love your choice of fabric – and fancy that: a Belcarra + Hollyburn = gorgeous frock! I made a Belcarra recently, and I KNOW it’s the first of many. I’m dreaming of one with a button placket down the back. Excellent work, my friend!
Ooh, a button placket would be so pretty!
Lovely top, can the pattern be purchased in the UK?,
not having much luck finding it via internet search 🙂
The Sewaholic website ships to the UK, you can purchase it here 🙂 Alternately, you could also buy the PDF version, if you want to avoid paying shipping entirely 🙂
Sewaholic out of stock, i’ll try the PDF version, thank you 🙂
Trixielixie.co.UK sell Sewaholic in the UK 🙂
Totally agree on the neckline being too wide. Id never pick that wild pasley but you made it look awesome. Geesh, I need some guts in picking prints. Alright another one added to the make list.
This is the perfect top for wild prints – no darts, not a lot of seamlines mean that the print gets to really shine 🙂
The top indeed is really cute, but I really like that skirt as well!
I usually don’t want things too unstructured; I love darts. But it does drape nicely and is very flatterning. The one thing I can’t tell about is the sleeves on the cuffs. The fabric design makes it hard to see exactly what is going on here. I might want them to lay a little flatter.
And I love the wide neckline; I’d keep it!
The way the pattern is written, the cuffs are attached and then flipped back halfway (like a pants cuff). It would be easy to make them flatter – either press the hell out of them, or just don’t flip them back 🙂
I am totally in love with the paisley belcarra + paisley hollyburn look!! It’s fantastic! But also so economic that these are separates that can be worn with a myriad of wardrobe items. Such smart pieces!! Love em!
I love your Belcarra! I need to sew it in a rayon and would love to try it in silk! Your Belcarra and your hollyburn skirt together! It totally looks like a dress!
Like you, I’m not too keen on loose fitting clothes. I was hesitant about the Belcarra as well, but I decided to give it a try. I’m glad I did because it’s not fitted, but it wasn’t completely loose. Like you said, it’s a breeze to sew!
Ooo, I also have an un-blogged Belcarra…but I’ve worn it multiple times, so it must be just laziness. I actually took in the neckline before even cutting the first one, since a lot of people seemed to have that same feedback. I added 1/2″ to the shoulder seam point, and then tapered it to beyond the sleeve seam on the front and back pieces for a nice smooth curve. I’m happy with it – no flashing of bra-straps have occured. The first blouse I made in a bamboo twill, with the raglan sleeves in a matching black lace. The fabric is a little on the stiff side (not so good with tucking, but ok otherwise), so the next one I’m thinking a poly crepe/challis/charmeuse. I don’t know what the poly thinks of itself as. But something that will drape a little better!
Adorable! I’ve been teaching this top here in LA and it’s a great quick make! I think the key though is using rayon or silk or any fabric with that kind of drape. And seriously, your top with the skirt looks totally like a dress! When I saw the photo, I immediately thought it was a Belcarra dress hack! Super cute!
Man, I would love to take your class on this top – not that I need it (obviously I can make this shit myself haha), but it would be FUN!
I love it!! It’s incredibly flattering, and I especially like it with the jeans. I had this pattern all cut and ready to go… but then a box of new fabric came, distracting me and burying Belcarra, quite literally. Thanks for reminding me 🙂
Get to it! Belcarra needs you 😉
This top looks great on you, really flattering 🙂 I have been looking for a staple top pattern and had looked at the Belcarra but was worried that it may be a little boxy – I do tend to go for the fitted look. You’ve inspired me to give it a go!
Just make sure your fabric is nice and drapey and you won’t have any boxy problems 🙂
ah, i had almost forgotten about the belcarra! rayon or silks really do make the best blouse fabrics. i’ve made a few silk tops (most recently, a sleeveless archer–LOVE) and they are just heavenly to wear. anyways… love your top, i think it’s super flattering!
That convinces me! Use the patterned silk I’m eying for a top – skirt instead of a dress! Looks great.
Btw have you seen the recent auto ad for a make like Buick or Caddy with a blue haired driver — which I thought was you initially! It was in the last Sunset mag. Or maybe blue hair is more mainstream than I realize – pink seems to be it here.
ha! I had to Google the ad to see what you were talking about, but that’s pretty cute 🙂 Although I can’t say my hair has EVER looked as good as that model’s, haha!!
See, now I want to make this up stat.
Too bad I just placed a Sewaholic order and took this pattern in and out of my cart approx. six times and didn’t end up buying it. lol
I totally know that feeling haha!
Love your version! I made one out of a piece of UFO (Unidentified Fabric Origin) I remember buying at least 15 years ago. It was hell to work with, but I’m in love with the shirt–breezy,,cool and falls off my shoulders,,a plus in the heat. Next one will, like you, have a narrowed in neck (good tutorial on Tasia’s blog to do it), and be in a fabric of known origin!
The cussing is so un ladybird like. It adds nothing and you do not need it.
I hate to be the one to break it to you, but if swearing bothers you then you are soooo reading the wrong blog.
That was pretty clear. I will unsubscribe tonight and best of luck.
The Belcarra looks amazing on you! I was totally planning on doing a dress hack with this pattern, so it’s great to see that it looks awesome, even if yours is really separates. I think I need to revisit the fit of mine, though. We are almost the same size, I think, and I made a 6 thinking I wouldn’t be able to get it on otherwise, but I really like the fit of yours.
Oh wow! Yeah, I’d def size down – I’d be swimming in the 6!
This may be my favourite of your makes ever – who’d a thunk. Seems to be fab with anything it goes with – tucked or untucked.
I’m so glad you made this pattern! I bought it during the Indie Stitches sale you wrote about, because I’ve been looking for a raglan sleeve blouse pattern. My go-to pattern is a modified Gertie Portrait blouse (I made it into a button down and ditched the back waist darts and deepened the kimono sleeves for better coverage) I was thinking the Balcarra would be too wide in the shoulders for me (my shoulders are VERY narrow) so after seeing yours (which is lovely, btw!) I’m glad to know I need to adjust this sucker right out of the package!
This is super cute on you! I keep seeing versions of it I really like, but I still just feel like it’s not for me—that wide neckline I think would just emphasize my rather linebacker shoulders. I do love raglan sleeves though! I just made up the Papercut Clover in the top version, and it’s super cute. Raglan sleeves FTW!
Ooh, I can’t wait to make up that one! Waiting impatiently for my pattern in the mail right now 😀
What awesome fabric! I have to say this is the first time I’ve seen this top and thought, yeah I want to make that. Nice work.
I’ve made the Belcarra four times, and my rayon version is by far my fave, for the drape factor as you mentioned. Also on the rayon one I took the neckline in by about half an inch on either side. It makes a HUGE difference, I really do think that the neckline is a little too wide on this pattern, even though I love me a good boat neck. I only wish I’d made the same adjustment for my earlier versions.
The buttonholes/buttholes problem is a MAJOR one for me. Once I typo’d while googling for bound buttonholes. On TOP of that, buttonholes also figure into my life in a medical context, and it’s hilariously weird to risk saying “there’s been some trouble with a sticky butthole so he has to establish a new one.”
Bound buttonholes!! Omg, that must have been a tragic unintentional Google search of epic proportions hahahahahaha!!
looks rad with your hair ;o)
I love this pattern and the fabric you have chosen. I have made it three times now, once as a dress and once as a tunic and lastly as intended sort of, all three times in knits though! Maybe now it is finally spring it may get made in a woven! It would be gorgeous in silk.
Ooh, all three of those sound lovely, though! Especially with the knit factor!
I like the neck width but I’m a boat neck kind of gal. You are tiny though, so taking it in a bit won’t change the elegance of the neckline. My fave woven tee is the Aime Comme Marie minute tee – it’s a kimono sleeve style and would be the perfect pattern for a Georgia alternative. I’ve made it in silk and a colour blocked cotton too. Love it.
Ah, that really is a Georgia dupe! Love it, especially the colorblocking!
I linked to your employer. Such gorgeous stuff. Looks like a nice place to work. Do you ever just want to walk out with the clothes though? I would be tempted to buy everything, I think.
Your Belcarra looks awesome! This is currently my favorite pattern. I’m working on my fifth one. Loved seeing your unique take on it.
Belcarra is definitely growing on me! Like you I was a bit underwhelmed when it was first released, but made in the right fabric (like yours, for example 🙂 ) I think it can be extremely flattering. I think the secret is to use something super drapey. I’ve also thought that changing the neckline could be worthwhile- I’d like to see it a little more boat neckline-ish but not sure how hard that mod would be given the raglan sleeves.
Love this. I have the pattern but am yet to make it. My fave woven shirt pattern is the Grainline Scout. So far, anyway! And this looks totally amazing with your Hollyburn!!! It really looks like a dress and you should wear it that way!
Ok, I’m so making this. It will be my first indie pattern! I’m glad you mentioned about the straps showing. I hate that (tacky) and will adjust accordingly. As soon as I saw the first photo I wondered what it would look like with the skirt. Awesome! I live in super-hot & humid South Texas so loose and flowey is the only way I will wear clothes. And just wait…as you approach menopause, you will totally understand. ha ha Looks great and good job! Oh, btw, to make blogging easier, you might consider an Eye-Fi card in a digital SLR camera. It takes your pics from the camera to your laptop all by itself! Love it!
It looks great on you! I particularly like the paisley on paisley. Sets are in baby! I thought about picking this up, but thought the pattern wasn’t quite me. Yours is making me double think that….
I saw the first photo and was like “Yep, that’s cute”. Scrolled down to see it paired with jeans and “Wow, that’s REALLY cute”. The scrolled down some more to see the epic paisley combo and was like “DUDE THAT’S THE COOLEST!”. Good job on making a wicked cute shirt that pretty much goes with every single thing ever lol. Probably looks good with yoga pants too…
Hahaha you are so funny! You think 3 weeks is long? I just blogged a pair of shorts that I made over 4 months ago…. and have worn nearly every day! But you’ve just tipped me from ‘not sure’ to ‘i want a belcarra’. And agree with Rochelle, probably looks smoking with yoga pants.
Lauren, you are probably the best thing to happen to Sewaholic patterns yet. Every time I am on the fence about a certain pattern, I see a few of your versions and suddenly I have a package on the way from Canada! While I already own the Belcarra blouse and plan to make it up in rayon, I am now certain that I need a matching Hollyburn skirt so I can fool people into thinking it’s a dress. (You can tell Landon that you started a Belcarra Hoolyburn dress trend).
Ooooohh! I so love your version! I agree with everything you say about the pattern, I made it, too (and blogged about it) and I’m in love with it!!! I never thought I would have liked a woven tshirt!
The top has got a great cut around the waist. But that blue dress ain’t nice, its totally hiding the the tops greatest quality
I love it! It definitely could pass as a dress when paired with the skirt. Love the fabric you chose too!
Amazeballs!
Damn you! I thought I had talked myself out of this pattern, but this and their current sale was too much for me…
Anyone have thoughts on the potential need for a FBA (and the darts that would pretty much need to add)?
I didn’t think I was going to like this pattern either, but on a whim bought it. I have made 3 Belcarras so far, and one as a gift, and I love them all. I’ve made them is drapey rayon challis like yours, I’ve made in shirting (it worked, but the rayon ones are more flattering) with contrasting lace sleeves… And I have one more cut and on the way to be sewn. I really like it. I think the shirt looked really amazing on you, and you have a complete different body type than mine, or my friend who I gifted a shirt to, and it looks amazing on everyone. 🙂 Thumbs up.
This is a great post! I have this pattern saved in my wish list so I was really happy to see that you’ve made it, and it looks wonderful! I hope it’ll be just as flattering on my curvier figure.
I also love how the red and blue fabric contrasts and then matches your hair, gorgeous!