Pattern Review – Rhapsody by Love Notions

Do you have a sewing pattern that is so perfect it inspires you to make every view? That’s the way I feel about the Rhapsody blouse by Love Notions. From fit to styling, this pattern checks all the boxes for a tried and true pattern.


In this pattern review, I’ll go over the good, the bad and the ugly of this pattern. Spoiler alert – be prepared to see lots of these tops in my Instagram feed.


BTW, Love Notions has no idea who I am, and I have no affiliation with them. I just really love this pattern.


The Pattern

I found this pattern through @seams_that_way on her Instagram feed. She made a gorgeous version of this peasant top in a retro landscape fabric. I loved it so much I wanted to knock it off stitch by stitch, right down to the same fabric, but it was sold out. Wah!


The Rhapsody blouse and dress pattern is designed for lightweight and drapey wovens. It features nine sleeve options, a curved hem, gathers at the yoke in the front, a pleat in the back and french seams. The v-neck line is bound with self-made bias tape and can be made with optional ties.


The inclusive sizes range from XS and XXXL. There is a regular bodice piece for cups A – C and a full bust bodice for D-DD cups. I cut out size S based on my measurements.


The Fabric

This top started as a robe I bought at the thrift store a few years ago. I “rediscovered” it in my stash when I was looking for an excuse to start another sewing project. The robe is made of a lovely cotton voile. It’s light, almost transparent, with a lovely, fluid drape. And that print! So pretty and so romantic – it’s destined to be paired with a peasant blouse pattern. Beautiful floral prints always make me happy.


The Good

Let’s start with the fit. When it comes to peasant blouses, there’s a fine line between relaxed and baggy. In the right fabric, this top skims the sides, creating a pleasing silhouette. I didn’t bother with a toile because I could tell by eyeballing the pattern pieces that it would fit just right. Almost every review on PatternReview.com raved about the fit. It’s so highly rated it made the cut for Best Patterns of 2018.

Let’s move on to the yoke. The lined yoke extends from the front to the back in one piece, which means no shoulder seams. The front and back bodice are attached and rolled inside the yoke with the burrito method. Then you turn it inside out, and the seams are concealed in the yoke. If this makes no sense to you (it’s so hard to describe), check out this handy video.


The Bad and the Ugly

Nothing bad or ugly here, but I’m pointing out some things that could trip you up:


  • The seam allowance changes from 1/2″ for the side seams to 3/8″ for the yoke and armscyes.


  • The v-neck is finished with a bias binding, which required some fiddling. If you don’t have a bias maker and you’re not confident sewing with bias binding, I highly recommend practicing on some scraps.


I’m sharing this more as a warning than a complaint. Luckily, I was paying attention, and the sewing gods were on my side.


Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda

This is the part where I whine about the things I would do over. No big regrets here, just minor nit picking.


I made the top with cuffed sleeves because I liked the simple lines, but it looks exactly like the original sleeves on the robe, which vexes me. When it comes to refashioning, my goal is to completely transform the garment, otherwise, what’s the point?


The top is too long for my short body. For 90% of the tops I make, I raise the waist 1″ because I’m petite. I do this so often it’s become muscle memory, but for some reason, I flaked out this time. To “shorten” the look, I tuck in the shirt at the front.


Final Thoughts

This Rhapsody top is already a staple in my closet. Its a light and breezy summer piece that goes with everything – shorts, jeans, skirts, even overalls. The pattern is beautifully drafted and offers plenty of variations that extend it for many future garments. I’m thinking of making the dress for my next iteration.


If you’re a beginner sewer, read the directions thoroughly and check out every tip and video link in the instructions. The burrito method on the yoke isn’t hard, but it does take some time to grok. Same for the bias binding.


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