The April theme for Make a Garment a Month challenge on Instagram is “April Amigos” where my co-hosts and I encourage participants to sew something with friends, either in real life or virtually. My cohosts – Suzy @Sewing_in_Spain and Hélène @hportemanteau all sewed the Stokx Birdy blouse, kindly provided by Lindy from Stokx Patterns.

this is a lovely blouse with interesting detailing. It has two different collars and two different sleeves, although either or both can be left off if necessary. The blouse has princess seams with extra shaping on the side fronts.

I was a bit torn about size. I needed a size two for my bust but a zero for my hips. For my toile I made a straight size two and decided to make a toile to look at what the issues were. Lindy from Stokx patterns does have a description of how to reduce the fullness in the body.

I used a piece of vintage sheet that had belonged to my mother in law. The back was a bit baggy, although it’s hard to see in these photos.

This one shows the slight looseness at the back, but it was worse in real life.

I modified it by shaping the centre back seam and the two back side seams.

For my final Birdy I chose a fabric called Zambia Voile, which is fine, beautiful fabric printed with a paisley design. I’ve been wanting to use it for ages, so I’m thrilled.

After the toile I decided to line the collar and the sleeves and found some coordinating silk that wasn’t big enough to make a garment. The collar was probably a bit of a non event, but I like the sleeves.

I modified the back to make it more fitted. I love this blouse with my new orange Stokx Square Pants.

It also looks great with my white jeans, and here I am trying to show the lining.

I made a label for the April theme and attached it to the front, and found pretty good coordinating vintage buttons in my stash.

I also teamed it with my Stokx Rock skirt and wore it to the beach. It was a fun shoot and I felt quite windswept. It really was a Stokx in the Wild scenario!

I really like this blouse and will make one with a handkerchief collar and sleeves for next summer. I suspect I have the perfect fabric in my stash!