Sleeveless Collared Button-Front Pleated Blouse
Introducing a chic sleeveless blouse pattern featuring a notched lapel collar, a button-front closure and a pleated lower section for a structured yet flowing silhouette.
When To Wear
This versatile sleeveless blouse is perfect for a range of occasions, offering both style and comfort:
- Warm-Weather Gatherings: Ideal for garden parties, resort wear, or sophisticated daytime events.
- Smart Casual Office: a polished choice for business casual environments when paired with tailored trousers or skirts.
- Layering Piece: Excellent for layering under blazers or cardigans to add a structured yet chic element to your outfit.
Key Design Features
Silhouette: long front and back yokes joined to a pleated lower section (peplum-like) that releases into fullness at the hem.
Neckline & Collar: a notched collar with lapels, finished with a front facing and a back neckline facing.
Closure: Faced center front opening with five buttons and buttonholes.
Sleeves: Sleeveless; armholes finished with bias binding.
Pleats: Lower front and lower back pleats are stitched down and released 5 cm above the hem; shallow pleats on the front yoke at the seam.
Level Of Difficulty
Intermediate. Requires skills in collar construction, precise pleat formation, armhole finishing with bias binding, and setting facings.
Fabric Recommendations
Choose lightweight fabrics with good drape and structure, preferably from natural fibers:
- Fine natural fiber fabrics (e.g., linen, cotton lawn, challis, lightweight poplin)
Additional Supplies
- 5 buttons
- Fusible interfacing
Cutter's Must
- From main fabric:
- Back Yoke – 2 pieces
- Lower Back – 2 pieces
- Lower Collar – 1 piece
- Back Neckline Facing – 1 piece
- Upper Collar – 1 piece
- Front Yoke – 2 pieces
- Center Front Facing – 2 pieces
- Lower Front – 2 pieces
- Bias strips for the armholes (cut to length)
- From fusible interfacing:
- Center Front Facing – 2 pieces
- Back Neckline Facing – 1 piece
- Upper Collar – 1 piece
Sewing Instructions
- Fuse interfacing to the Center Front Facing, Back Neckline Facing and Upper Collar.
- Mark the pleats on the Lower Front and Lower Back and stitch them down, stopping 5 cm above the hem.
- Form shallow pleats on the Front Yoke and attach the Lower Front. Overlock the seam allowances and press towards the Front Yoke.
- Attach the Lower Back to the Back Yoke. Overlock the seam allowances and press towards the Back Yoke.
- Stitch the center back seam. Overlock the seam and press towards the right back.
- Stitch the shoulder seams of the top. Overlock the shoulder seams and press towards the Back.
- Cut bias strips for the armholes. Fold each strip in half lengthwise and press. Stitch the folded strip to the armhole edge of the Front and Back, with the fold of the strip lying on the garment at a width of 0.75 cm. Trim the seam allowances to a width of 0.5 cm. Turn the strip to the wrong side of the top and topstitch along the armhole of the Front and Back.
- Stitch the side seams. Overlock the side seams of the top and press towards the Back.
- Stitch the Lower Collar and Upper Collar together along the outer edges, then turn the collar right side out.
- Stitch the shoulder seams of the Back Neckline Facing and Center Front Facing. Press the seams open and overlock the outer edge of the facings.
- Place the Center Front Facing on the right side of the front, face down, pin, and stitch the neckline of the Front and Back together with the collar. Stitch the facing to the front along the front edge. The stitching is done from the Front side. Mark the hemline. Stitch the lower edges of the Center Front Facing to the front precisely along the marked hemline. Trim the seams of the upper and lower corners of the front edge. Turn the front edges to the right side, and straighten the seams.
- Secure the Back Neckline Facing to the shoulder seam of the top with a 1 cm tack.
- Overlock the bottom hem of the top and topstitch to the garment.
- On the right front, make buttonholes, and on the left, sew on buttons.
