Bell Sleeve V-Neck Blouse
Introducing a stylish and feminine blouse pattern featuring a chic V-neckline and elegant bell sleeves with gathered detailing, offering a versatile garment for various occasions.
When To Wear
This versatile blouse is designed for both elegant casual wear and sophisticated evenings, making it an ideal choice for:
- Daytime Chic: For an elegant yet comfortable look suitable for brunches, casual outings, or relaxed office wear.
- Evening Sophistication: Pair with a tailored skirt or trousers for a refined dinner or social gathering.
- Transitional Styling: Ideal for layering during changing seasons or for adding a touch of bohemian grace to your wardrobe.
Key Design Features
Silhouette: a relaxed fit through the body, subtly defined by a horizontal seam, with wide, voluminous bell sleeves.
Neckline: a shaped V-neckline, finished neatly with bias binding.
Closure: a concealed zipper closure is integrated into the center back seam.
Sleeves: Long, two-part bell sleeves feature gathered tiers created by elastic tape at the upper arm, adding elegant volume and movement.
Body Construction: The blouse body is thoughtfully constructed with separate upper and lower front and back panels, joined by horizontal seams for subtle shaping.
Back: Features a center back seam and a horizontal seam separating the upper and lower back panels, which incorporates the zipper closure.
Hem: a straight hemline finishes the garment.
Level Of Difficulty
Intermediate. Requires skills in working with bias binding, elastic gathering/shirring, zipper insertion, and assembling multi-part garment sections.
Fabric Recommendations
Choose light to medium-weight woven fabrics with good drape to enhance the silhouette and movement of the sleeves:
- Thin silk fabrics (e.g., silk crepe, charmeuse)
- Viscose or rayon challis
- Lightweight crepes
- Georgette
Additional Supplies
- Bias binding
- Zipper
- Elastic tape
Cutter's Must
- Upper back – qty 2
- Lower back – qty 2
- Upper front – qty 1
- Lower front – qty 1
- Sleeve – qty 2
Sewing Instructions
- Mark and stitch darts on the front and back, then press the darts.
- Bind the shaped neckline of the front with bias binding. Secure the bias binding at the corner in the middle of the shaped neckline and press.
- Cut bias binding according to the blouse neckline size. Stitch the corners of the bias binding, trim excess fabric, and turn out the corners. Bind the neckline edge of the front with bias binding. Press the front neckline.
- Stitch the upper back to the lower back and serge the seam.
- Serge the center back seam. Stitch the center back seam up to the notch for the zipper. Press open the center back seam, press the zipper slits. Insert the zipper.
- Bind the neckline edge of the back with bias binding and press.
- Stitch the upper front to the lower front and serge the seam.
- Serge the side edges of the front and back. Stitch the side seams of the blouse, leaving slits in the side seam. Press open the side seams of the garment, pressing the slits.
- Stitch and serge the shoulder edges of the blouse. Press the shoulder seams towards the back.
- Cut elastic tape to size. Baste the elastic tape to the seam joining the upper front and back, from the bust dart to the center back seam, stopping 5cm short. Stitch and remove temporary basting threads.
- Bind the lower edge of the sleeve with bias binding. Mark auxiliary lines for stitching the elastic tape. Cut elastic tape to size and stitch.
- Stitch and serge the sleeve seam. Press the sleeve seam.
- Set in the sleeves into the armholes according to the notches, easing the sleeve slightly. Serge the setting-in seam.
- Serge the bottom edge of the garment. Press and stitch the hem.
