Bell Sleeve Blouse
A sophisticated women's blouse pattern featuring graceful three-quarter bell sleeves and a flattering tailored fit achieved through princess seams.
When To Wear
This blouse offers versatile elegance, making it an ideal choice for:
- Work & Office: The elegant silhouette and refined details make it perfect for professional settings.
- Casual Chic: Pair with trousers or skirts for an elevated everyday look.
- Evening Gatherings: Its stylish bell sleeves and polished appearance are ideal for semi-formal events.
Key Design Features
Silhouette: A fitted bodice with shaping princess seams, gently flaring from the waist to a hip-length hem.
Neckline: A classic round neckline finished with an internal facing.
Closure: A concealed zipper at the center back for a smooth finish.
Sleeves: Three-quarter length bell sleeves, gathered with structured pleats at the cuff for a dramatic flare.
Back: Features vertical princess seams for shaping, and a center back seam with zipper closure.
Hem: A straight hemline designed to fall at the hip.
Level Of Difficulty
Intermediate. Requires skills in sewing darts, princess seams, zipper insertion, setting in sleeves, and working with pleats for the flared cuffs.
Fabric Recommendations
Light to medium-weight woven fabrics with good drape, such as:
- Crepe
- Challis
- Satin
- Lightweight suiting blends
- Viscose
Additional Supplies
- Fusible interfacing
- One invisible zipper
CUTTER'S MUST
- From main fabric:
- Center back piece – 2 pieces
- Side back piece – 2 pieces
- Side front piece – 2 pieces
- Center front piece – 1 piece on fold
- Back neckline facing – 4 pieces
- Front neckline facing – 2 pieces
- Sleeve – 2 pieces
- Cuff – 2 pieces
- FROM FUSIBLE INTERFACING:
- Back neckline facing – 2 pieces
- Front neckline facing – 1 piece
Sewing Instructions
- Fuse interfacing to designated pieces.
- Stitch back neckline facing to back, press seam allowances towards facing. Stitch front neckline facing to front, press seam allowances towards facing.
- Stitch darts on front piece, press dart excess upwards. Stitch front princess seams, press seam allowances towards center and overcast.
- Overcast center back edges separately on each piece. Stitch center back seam from notch for zipper to bottom, press seam allowances open. Insert zipper.
- Stitch back princess seams, press seam allowances towards center and overcast.
- Stitch side and shoulder seams, press seam allowances towards back and overcast.
- Stitch shoulder seams of inner facings, press seam allowances open. Overcast outer edge. Place facings and garment right sides together and stitch neckline edge. Clip seam allowances, turn facing to wrong side and topstitch into the seam of the outer facing.
- Stitch sleeve seam, press seam allowances towards back and overcast. Set sleeves into armholes, matching notches, press and overcast seam allowances.
- Form and secure pleats on the cuff. Stitch cuff into a loop, press seam allowances open, overcast. Attach cuff to sleeve hem, press seam allowances upwards and overcast.
- Overcast hem allowance of garment and sleeve, press to wrong side and hem with blind stitches.
