Here’s the earworm that accompanies my post:

The audio/video quality is pretty good for having come from a 22-year old VHS tape, if I do say so myself! :-)

Thanks, Dolly!

Now let’s get to business.

One of my favorite indie pattern designers has done it again! Adrianna of Hey June Handmade has a new top (aka blouse) and it’s more or less the perfect simple woven top pattern. While I’m calling the Lucerne Blouse simple, she’s not short on interesting details.

Stunning tie sleeves or delicate petal sleeves. Both are winners.

You have your choice of 2 included neckline shapes as well, but I’m just now realizing I only sampled the rounded neckline during testing.

My first version is sewn from a 1 yard cut of some magical micro stripe lawn (ticking?) of unknown source. ETA- I found it! It’s cotton voile, soured from La Mercerie.

The stupendous Marie-Fluerine made a gorgeous lined lace version during testing and I had to copy her and make myself one right quick. And my trusty stash did not disappoint.

stretch twill Anthro-inspired pants- blogged

This lace version is lined with lawn and sports the petal sleeves. Doing a full lining, one can omit the facing.

Lace purchased from La Finch Fabrics several years back.

I hemmed the lining a half inch higher than the outer layer to keep it from hanging below.

And we’re just getting started! with a super simple general body style, Lucerne is very “hackable,” meaning make a few mods, and you’ve got a new style. So I cut into some of my new Rifle Paper Co. rayon.

Yeah. I pressed a big crease there and didn’t notice. It’s fine. Chill.

And I gave this blouse what I call the Trevi treatment. (Trevi, if you’re not a well-seasoned Hey June patterns enthusiast, is a button-back tank top and dress.)

Simply cut 2 mirrored back pieces, 1.5 inches away from the fold. Fold the center back under twice (1/4” and 5/8”) and you’ve got yourself a placket. You can make functional buttonholes and stuff, but you already know this blouse fits over your head without closures, so you can go ahead and just sew the buttons on through all the layers. #jazzhands

The neckline on this blouse is bound with bias and the sleeve pieces have a delicate little rolled hem.

Now that you’ve got two sexy sleeve variations, you can borrow the methods from Lucerne and add the same details to other tops.

Take that beautiful tie sleeve and slap it on a button-up.

Cheyenne in white rayon challis. Black Ginger jeans.

Keep the sleeve cap the same as your base pattern; just transfer the slit and sleeve length. Bind that baby and add the tie. You’re a sewing rockstar!