When I started working at the shop, I discovered Atelier Bernie’s patterns, which I didn’t know at all. I immediately fell for the brand’s retro and romantic vibe. The Angela dress sewn by Eugénie also contributed to my crush.

So I quickly bought the Nina blouse and dress pattern. One thing is for sure, this won’t be the last Atelier Bernie pattern I make 😉.

I had also fallen for an embroidered cotton with a watercolor flower motif that I find gorgeous. And I dared to go all the way with my romantic coming-out: I combined the two!  Come on, let me tell you about it!

The Nina blouse and dress model

Like the other patterns from the brand, the model’s name is no coincidence: this one refers to the great singer Nina Simone, a committed artist if ever there was one. This raglan sleeve model is truly retro and comes in several versions: blouse or dress, short or long each time. The blouse even goes up to a crop top if you dare to bare your midriff!

The fit can be loose or cinched with ties, smocking, or elastic depending on your choices and tastes. These variations play with details that make the model’s beauty: gathered neckline, very open on the shoulders or closer to the neck, wide sleeves with tightened cuffs, ruffled finishes, tie attachments… 

For my part, I chose the blouse, with a ruffle at the neckline. Worn over jeans to tone down the romantic flair, it’s just perfect!

Practical information for sewing Nina

The printed version of Nina is available in the shop. The PDF version is available on the creator Morgane’s website. 

The pattern is graded from size 32 to 50. It’s a very loose model that gives us great freedom in ease and the look we want. Morgane indicates a beginner level for sewing Nina. Indeed, for me, it’s a beginner level with a few small challenges that will help you progress in sewing or practice certain techniques.

Moreover, since it’s possible to make several versions and variations, you can start with a simple version before moving on to the more difficult elements. 

In the seamstress’s basket

Nina is sewn in woven fabric.

Depending on the fabric, you can get a more fluid look with: muslin, lace, viscose, tencel, or silk... You can get a more structured look by choosing: a fine cotton (cotton lawn) or medium, linen, broderie anglaise, or double gauze.     

To sew Nina, you will need:  
- Woven fabric
- Good quality matching thread
- 8/9mm flat elastic (Long sleeves: 2x your wrist circumference Short sleeves: 2x your upper arm circumference at the widest point)

And depending on the chosen version: 
- Elastic waistband (3x your waist circumference) 
- Elastic thread for the smocked version   

The pattern includes a very clever chart that really helps calculate the exact fabric length needed.    

My supplies

Totally in love with the embroidered cotton with watercolor flowers and if you remember the team presentation article written by Eugénie, you know I love purple and flowers… QED. For the anecdote, I actually got the end of the roll and Eugénie restocked it very quickly given its success!

For the thread, I chose a beautiful burgundy red for contrasting topstitching. 

For the elastic, the 9mm was perfect, nice and flexible but not too thin.

To secure the slit, I preferred to apply a light fusible interfacing to the front piece and the slit facing to prevent the fabric from tearing over time. You never know…

Technical points

 Nina is therefore a beginner pattern, with a few small challenges: 

- flat-felled seams
- gathers
- handkerchief hem
- sewing a casing
- sewing ties
- making smocking
- creating a slit
- topstitching
- sewing elastic

Nina is a great pattern to learn many different techniques while being guided by the well-detailed instruction booklet.

My sewing experience

To avoid too much looseness, I chose size 34 instead of 38 or 40; and I really like the result. Since I chose the long blouse version, normally the fit is loose but I wanted to be able to play with wide and tight. So I sewed an extra tie and two small fabric loops. This little trick allows me all the cinching variations, from the closest to the waist to the widest. 

Morgane guides us well through the assembly steps. We start by making the neckline slit. Then, we assemble the raglan by sewing the front and back to the sleeves. Next, we assemble the ruffle pieces and finish it; for my part, I chose a rolled hem with the serger. Then comes the assembly of the ruffle and the garment by making 3 seams: the assembly seam and the two additional ones to create the casing. At the same time, we make the ties. I made 2 long ones (neckline and waist) and two short ones (for the fabric loops).  Then we assemble the underarms where I placed the loops. I didn’t do flat-felled seams but opted for open seams finished with the serger.   

I made a double-fold hem at the cuffs, allowing me to insert the elastic. Finally, I finished with the double-fold hem at the bottom.

I really enjoyed sewing this blouse and making the pattern my own by placing the loops. When worn, it’s very comfortable and I find it gives me a nice look very simply, which is a bonus! The photos were taken during my vacation in England. I waited to be there to take them because the pattern is very “English garden,” isn’t it? 😊