After my Goji skirt, I need to show you my version of the Hoya blouse!
Hoya is one of the three new patterns from Deer&Doe. It’s a straight blouse, with lined panels that are turned to form a collar on the front. The front of the blouse is a mock-wrap in that the panels are sewn together on some of the length. I love this construction, which allows for the blouse to have movement but prevents gaping when bending over or sitting down.
This is version B of the pattern, with elbow sleeves and sleeve tabs, which give the blouse a very casual feel. I also made version A, which has short sleeves, but now I’m back in Boston and it’s still snowing so I’m going to have to wait a bit before I can take pictures of that one…
I think Hoya is my first straight blouse, and at first I was a little skeptical. Actually I never wear blouses: I generally wear my skirts and jeans with very fitted knit t-shirts that show off my waist. This shape is the exact oppposite, and far from my comfort zone.
Turns out, I love it! Even though the blouse is straight, it is definitely not a potato sack. In a soft fabric like this rayon challis, it drapes over the curves of the body in a lovely way.
This gingham rayon challis is from Harts Fabric, but unfortunately is now discontinued. It’s a little thick for challis, not transparent at all and has a nice drape. It wasn’t easy to sew, especially with the bias edges that wanted to stretch out and my obsession for print matching, but the end result was worth it.
Hoya’s neckline is a little plunging, which balances out with the loose shape and elbow sleeves. I wear it as is, or sometimes with a tank top underneath when it’s a little colder. If you’re not a fan of the neckline, there’s a tutorial on the Deer&Doe blog to make it higher.
At first I thought I would wear this blouse tucked into a high waisted skirt, but in the end I’ve been wearing it almost exclusively like this: with my favorite Safran jeans and a pair of tennis shoes. It’s so comfortable that it’s perfect for these days when I don’t want to get dressed.
That’s it for now for the new Deer&Doe patterns! I do have a Luzerne trench coat in the works, but I still have some hemming to do and since I’m not going to be able to wear it for a while I’m feeling lazy. That’s my main problem at the moment: I have so many summer projects and floral dresses I’d love to wear and sew but it’s going to take months before spring is truly here and I’m discouraged. What are you sewing at the moment?
Hoya Blouse
Hoya- Deer&Doe
Size 38 – 40 1/2
Rayon challis from Hart Fabrics
I love it. The fabric looks lovely with the pattern, I really need to make this up as well! xxB
I hope you do! I can’t believe how quickly you made your two versions of the Luzerne coat 😮 😮
Love your blouse! Yours is the second Hoya I’ve seen in a gingham print and it really sets off it’s unique lines really well. I think that’s the key to the Hoya – make sure your fabric doesn’t disguise that lovely shape in the front. I read their tutorial on how to raise that V higher which was SO helpful and certainly encouraged me to take a second look at the pattern 🙂
Yes!! I love the gingham one made by Sara as well 😀 You’re right, the geometric pattern really enhances the design lines of the blouse.
I read this post while taking a break from making 100+ inches of bias tape for a New Sorbetto. 🙂 It’s a wearable muslin, and I’m hoping to iron out the fit before tackling a few rayon challis and polyester crepe versions. I’m in need of more lightweight blouses/shirts for spring and summer, and I think I need to add Hoya to my list–especially now that there’s a PDF option. Can wait to see your Luzerne, and I’ll be sending spring thoughts your way!
Oh my, I miss North Carolina so much!! Spring there is just the best 🙂
Let me know how your Sorbetto goes! I’m curious about their new block.
Gingham is such classic! Cool shirt that is easy to dress up or wear with jeans! 🙂
Thanks! 🙂
[…] addition to my gingham Hoya blouse with 3/4 sleeves, I also made a toile of the short-sleeved version… also in gingham! While the first one was […]
[…] can wear that!”) and ended up totally convinced. I already went through this process with the Hoya blouse: going outside of your comfort zone when it comes to silhouettes is not easy, but when it works […]