…………A New Pattern Review
The New MUSE BLOUSE is now available at release week pricing, $9.50, today through next Monday 2/16/2026. You can get an additional 10% off my using my code 10MACSEWS. This is THE perfect addition to your wardrobe.
If you prefer the new printed paper patterns LN has been releasing, you can pre-order the paper pattern for $18 plus shipping. This is $3 off the regular price of $12. No additional discount may be applied. You will get the digital version of the pattern for free. Paper patterns will be shipped early March. Please consider using my affiliate link as it gives me credit for your purchase.
I was lucky to be able to test this new pattern. When testing we are assigned particular options. I was assigned the straight bodice with the balloon sleeves. That is why my first 2 versions were sewn with those exact options. Right at the end of testing, Tami decided to add the ruffle neck option and asked a few of us if we could quickly sew one up. I took that opportunity to sew the skirted bodice with the ruffled neckline. Be sure you read down to my sizing and modifications to see my thoughts on the fit of each of these. Let me just say this ~ I LOVE THE BALLOON SLEEVES!!
The Details
The Muse Blouse is a great transitional blouse for all seasons! This pattern includes so many options you can easily make a closet full and each one would be different.
Be sure to check out all the tester versions to see all the options sewn up! I can’t wait to make another Muse! (I may even get another one sewn up before the release sale is over!)
- Sizes XS-5X
- Full Bust Option
- Darted Bodice
- Designed for woven fabrics
- 3 Body Styles: Straight, Skirted or Balloon
- 3 Sleeve Styles: Short, Balloon or Lantern(tiered)
- 2 Neckline Options: Classic banded collar or Ruffled
- Faced V-neckline
Sizing & Fit
The Muse Blouse is available in sizes XS-5X. A Full Bust pattern piece is included (like all new and updated LN patterns). Choose your blouse size based upon your high bust measurement. If in-between sizes choose the smaller size.
If your full bust is more than 4″ larger than your high bust, use the included Full Bust Front pattern piece. Remember that if you use the full bust pattern pieces, 1″ will be added to the Finished Measurements of the waist and hip. (Note: this is slightly different than other LN patterns.)
The Muse Blouse along with all other Love Notions patterns is designed for the average 5’5″ woman. Please be sure to refer to the Finished Garment Measurements for the blouse finished lengths.
The Skirted view is designed to hit about 3″ above the natural waist.
My Fit & Modifications
My bust measurement put me in an XL with full bust option while my hips put me into a 2X. I am only 5 feet tall, sometimes I shorten top pattern and sometimes I don’t. Below I will indicate which blouses I shortened.
Version #1~ Floral Clip Dot Voile
For my first test version of the Muse, I made an XL with the Full Bust option graded out to the 2X for my hips. This is where my measurements put me on the size chart. This cream floral clip dot fabric is very light weight and hung nicely.
Because the full bust option adds some additional length to the center front you can see that this version is slightly lower at the center front. Many people who need the full bust options need this additional length at the center front to keep the blouse hanging level across the front. Very often I do NOT need this additional length. As we know, all of our bodies are so different.
I also felt that I didn’t need to grade out to the 2X hip. It all depends on the look you are going for. If you want your blouse to have a flowier look you may want the extra ease.
This fabric was purchased from Alyssa May Fabrics a few years ago. She often has several clip dots in her shop.
Version #2~ Black Floral Rayon Poplin
For my second version, I chose to use a precious piece of “Rifle Paper Co” rayon poplin. For this version I stuck with the XL with the FBA but when grading out for my hips, I graded out between the XL and 2X. The other adjustment I made on this version was to level out the full bust hem while shortening the full hem by 1″.
During testing, most testers found that the length of the shoulder seam was a tad short, so it was let out a tad. My first 2 tester versions were perfect for my shoulders~ therefore on my next version(s) I will make a narrow shoulder adjustment of about 1/2″.
Version #3~ Pink Floral Rayon Crepe
For the Ruffled neck/Skirted bodice version I made a straight size XL with the full bust option. As stated above, the pattern was adjusted, so I made a small narrow shoulder adjustment to match my first 2 versions.
I shortened the skirt of this version by 3/4″. When I make this version again (and I WILL be making another one) I plan on shortening the bodice 1″ as well. It is designed to hit about 3″ above the natural waistline.
This fabric is a true rayon crepe that I purchased from Metro Textiles in the NYC Garment District. Kashi (the owner) still has this fabric available online. You can find it HERE.
Fabrics & Notions
The Muse Blouse is designed for light to medium weight woven fabrics. Fabrics such as rayon challis/poplin, chambray, linen, silk, cotton voile and even Quilter’s cotton will all work nicely.
Your choice of fabric used can change the look of your Muse blouse. Fabrics such as rayon challis/crepe will give you a softer blouse with more flow. Fabrics such as quilter’s cotton and linens will give a slightly boxier look. Remember to keep that in mind when selecting your fabric. It’s always a good idea to check tester/Ambassador photos to see how different fabrics drape when sewn up in a pattern.
Note: Knit fabrics may be used but sizing down my be necessary.
Notions
- Fusible interfacing
- 1 yard 3/8″ elastic for balloon and lantern sleeves
- 1-1/2 yard drawstring for Balloon bodice
Sew Mary Mac’s Tips For Sewing The Muse Blouse
The most significant tip I can give for sewing the Muse Blouse is to “Block Fuse” the banded collar and front facing pieces!
What is block fusing? Block fusing is a garment industry technique that can make home sewing so much easier! Your interfaced pieces will in turn be much more accurate which is so important when working with collars and plackets. I HIGHLYrecommend block fusing the collar band pieces and front facing for the Muse blouse!!
Block fusing is the process of cutting a block of fabric and interfacing the same size. The two are then fused together. Follow these simple steps.
- Cut a block of fabric and interfacing the same size.
- Fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric. Use lots of steam. It’s a good idea to use a press cloth as well. Remember to press and lift the iron~ do not slide the iron.
- Press the right side of the fabric as well.
- Cut the pattern pieces that require interfacing.
- Now you have perfectly accurate pieces to sew with.
Remember to always lay out ALL of your pattern pieces first before cutting away a block to fuse. I like to mark out the area I will need for my interfaced pieces with chalk.
A Few Additional Tips
- Staystitch your neckline edges!
- Page 11, Step 10~ don’t skip this stitching. This stitching makes pressing the curved edge of the collar lining so much easier.
- Pressing is very important especially on page 12, Step 15.
Tips For Sewing Rayon Challis
Since rayon challis/crepe is such a perfect fabric for the Muse Blouse, I thought I would include some of my favorite tips for sewing the rayon challis/crepe.
- When cutting out “shifty” fabrics such as rayon- make sure NOT to let your fabric hang off your cutting table. The weight of the hanging fabric pulls on the fabric and can result in your pattern pieces being distorted.
- Try not to over handle your cut pieces. Rayons can stretch easily if you aren’t careful. Stay stitching helps to prevent this. Don’t skip this step in your tutorial.
- Consider using Knit tricot interfacing for rayons. Knit tricot interfacing gives the rayon the stabilization needed on the collar band and front facing without making them overly stiff.
- How many times have you cut out your collars and facings , only to have them not match up to your interfacing when you go to fuse them together? Any lightweight fabric, like rayon challis can shift before you get a chance to interface them. Steaming and applying interfacing can often shrink your fabric pieces, which in turn prevents them from fitting correctly when pinning the collar/plackets to your blouse. The best way to prevent this is to block fuse.
Thanks for stopping by! I truly appreciate all of you that visit! If you enjoyed this blog post, consider subscribing to my blog to stay up to date with all my posts!
Mary Anne 🙂
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You can grab the Muse Blouse pattern HERE.
This is an affiliate link. It costs you nothing to purchase from this link, it just helps fund my fabric addiction which allows me to test and review more patterns.
To receive an additional 10% off the digital pattern price, use this coupon code 10MACSEWS. This coupon code can be used at anytime on any pattern order over $8. My code does change quarterly, so please always check the newest blog post for an update if you find a code isn’t working.
I am currently a Love Notions Ambassador. I tested this pattern, therefore I was given an advance copy of the Muse Blouse before it released. As always, thoughts and opinions are my own.
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