A summer blouse that I like: I sew April by You Made My Day

The April blouse by You Made My Day had been on my wish list for a while.

Its fluttering sleeves, its frills, and also its multiple combinations immediately won me over!

I wanted a model like this for going on vacation because I find it super pretty for summer. Plus, this model comes in lots of nice variations... so I had to sew it and make two versions of this pretty top designed by Amaïa.

Want to see? It’s right here.

The model

April is part of a pattern collection of the same name that includes a blouse, a skirt, pants, and shorts. It’s a collection designed for the warm days.

Today, I’m talking about the blouse part of this lovely collection.

The April blouse pattern has several versions and variations, which makes this pattern very "reusable."

You can choose:
- ruffled sleeves
- sleeveless
- add a small tied bow
- ruffle inserts

On the front, you can also add fake button plackets. The cut is intentionally loose, with plenty of ease. If you want a more fitted version, you can cinch it with a tie.

Practical information for sewing this pattern

April is available like all You Made My Day patterns in PDF version on our site.

April is graded from size 34 to 50.

Seam allowances are included in the pattern.

In the seamstress's basket

To sew April, you will need a lightweight to medium weight woven fabric such as a

cotton poplin or viscose, a tencel, a linen, a lightweight cotton, a plumetis, a broderie anglaise, a double gauze...

The required yardage is
- from size 34 to 42: 1.40 m -1.80 m (depending on options) X 1.50 m.
- from size 44 to 50: 1.60 m – 2.20 m (depending on options) X 1.50 m.

We will also add:
- Bias tape: 50 cm for neckline for all versions + 1.20 m to 3 m depending on versions for sleeve finishes and ruffles
- 6 buttons depending on the version
- some thread matching
- some cones matching overlocker thread if desired

My supplies

I chose to make two blouses:

- a piece in broderie anglaise made from 1m Japanese coupons (which I had already used to make a Canopée dress from the Mimoï patterns, the article is here)

- a Japanese floral cotton poplin

Technical points

April is rated as a beginner sewing level and I think that’s quite accurate even though some options are a bit more complicated and will delight more advanced sewers.

The technical points are interesting:
- sewing princess seams
- inserting ruffles if desired
- creating a faux placket if desired
- applying bias tape
- creating a drawstring if desired
- hemming
- setting in sleeves if desired

Depending on the version you choose, you’ll have more or less work and time 😊

The "simple" version sews up really quickly. I sewed the floral version in 2 hours and the embroidered version in about 3 hours.

My sewing experience

It’s a very pleasant and relaxing sew before my vacation! I really enjoyed making them!

I chose to make both my blouses in size 36 and the sizing is really good.

My modifications:

I modified the collar of the floral blouse to make it lower cut and more rounded.

I decided to do a small red rolled hem on the serger at the bottom of the sleeves.

I added a small drawstring at the back of the embroidered blouse and lined the front piece with cotton voile so my bra isn’t too visible from the front 😉

I decided to do a white rolled hem on the serger on the ruffles.

I find my blouses quite different even though they are made from the same pattern... That’s the magic of sewing!