Kimono Sleeve Double Breasted Blouse
Introducing a stylish double-breasted blouse featuring a relaxed, boxy silhouette with wide kimono-style sleeves cut in one with the side panels, flapped pockets and distinctive topstitching details.
When To Wear
This stylish blouse offers a versatile blend of comfort and polish, making it suitable for:
- Everyday Elegance: Ideal for elevated casual wear or smart-casual outings.
- Transitional Seasons: Its mid-weight structure and coverage make it perfect for layering in spring or autumn.
- Office & Business Casual: a refined yet comfortable option for a professional setting.
Key Design Features
Silhouette: Relaxed, boxy fit with a straight hem, providing a comfortable yet structured appearance.
Neckline & Collar: Classic turn-down collar, finished together with the front facings and back neckline facing for a neat edge.
Closure: Double-breasted front fastened with buttons, offering a classic and stylish closure.
Sleeves: Wide kimono-style sleeves cut in one with the side front and side back panels, with a seam along the top of the arm; small tucks at the wrist are gathered into buttoned cuffs.
Pockets: Two pockets with flaps set into the seams between the center front and side front panels at hip level.
Back: Back with a center panel cut on the fold and vertical seams running from the shoulder to the hem, topstitched for definition.
Details: Contrast topstitching throughout accentuates the panel seams, front edges, collar and pocket flaps, adding a refined, structural element.
Length: Hip-length, designed for versatile styling with various bottoms.
Level Of Difficulty
Intermediate. Requires skills in precision topstitching, accurate collar and cuff attachment, and double-breasted front construction with facings, in-seam pockets with flaps and buttonholes.
Fabric Recommendations
Choose medium-weight woven fabrics that hold their shape well, can be pressed crisply, and show topstitching effectively:
- Mid-weight cotton twill
- Linen blends with good body
- Gabardine
- Lightweight suiting wool
Additional Supplies
- Fusible interfacing for collar, front facings & cuffs
- Buttons for the front and cuffs
- Shoulder pads
Cutter's Must
- Middle Back – 1 piece on fold
- Side Back – 2 pieces
- Center Front – 2 pieces
- Side Front – 2 pieces
- Center Front Facing – 2 pieces
- Turn-Down Collar – 2 pieces
- Cuff – 2 pieces
- Back Neckline Facing – 1 piece on fold
- Flap – 4 pieces
- Pocket Bag – 4 pieces
Fusible interfacing:
- Turn-Down Collar
- Center Front Facing
- Cuff
Sewing Instructions
- Join the Middle Back to the Side Back pieces (the side backs form the back part of the sleeves). Topstitch along the back from the right side.
- Clip the front seam allowances diagonally into the corners, then face the pocket openings of the front pieces with Pocket Bags and turn. Place two Flap pieces right sides together, stitch, turn and press. Baste the flap, pointing upwards, to the lower edge of the pocket opening on the Side Front. Stitch the second Pocket Bag over the flap; press the bag and flap downwards and the seam allowances upwards. Join the Center Front to the Side Front and, without breaking the stitching, stitch the pocket bags together. Topstitch along the front seam from the right side. Baste the side edges of the pocket bags to the fronts.
- Sew the shoulder seams and the upper (overarm) sleeve seams.
- Attach the under collar to the neckline of the back and fronts. Join the Center Front Facings to the Back Neckline Facing at the shoulders. Attach the upper collar to the neckline of the facings.
- Place the facings on the fronts right sides together and pin along the front edges; pin the edges of the upper and under collar together. Stitch along the front edges and collar, then turn and press. From the inside, stitch together the pressed-open seam allowances of the under collar and back neckline facing seams.
- Sew the side seams and the lower sleeve seams.
- Lay small tucks along the lower edges of the sleeves. Attach the cuffs to the lower edges of the sleeves. Fold the cuffs in half widthwise, right sides together, and stitch the ends. Turn the cuffs out, fold under the raw edges and stitch onto the attachment seams. Topstitch the cuffs close to the edge.
- Sew in the shoulder pads.
- Hem the bottom of the blouse.
- Work buttonholes on the right front and on the cuffs; sew on the buttons.
