Fitted Long Sleeve Knotted Front Blouse
This women's sewing pattern presents a stylish, fitted long-sleeve blouse distinguished by its unique knotted front design that adds a playful yet sophisticated touch. The design is suitable for nursing mothers (it is not intended as a maternity blouse).
When To Wear
This blouse is versatile and stylish, making it an ideal choice for:
- Occasion: Casual outings & everyday style, pairing effortlessly with denim or tailored trousers.
- Occasion: Vacation & resort wear, offering a chic yet comfortable option for warmer climates.
- Occasion: Smart casual gatherings, where its unique design provides a sophisticated focal point.
Key Design Features
Silhouette: Fitted through the body, shaped with darts on the lower front and back.
Neckline & Collar: Features a classic pointed collar on a stand, framing the open V-neckline elegantly.
Front Detail: a distinctive knot at the bust, formed by the two faced upper front pieces that tie together above an under-bust seam, creating a flattering and unique focal point.
Closure: The lower front closes with buttons on an all-in-one placket from the under-bust seam to the hem.
Sleeves: Long set-in sleeves with a vent, gathered into double cuffs that fold back and are fastened with buttons sewn through both layers.
Back: a smooth back shaped with vertical darts ensures a tailored and flattering fit.
Hem: a straight hem, easy to wear tucked in or out.
Level Of Difficulty
Intermediate. Requires skills in dart construction, collar and stand assembly, button plackets, and cuff application, along with precise handling of the knotted front panels.
Fabric Recommendations
Choose light to medium-weight fabrics for the blouse; for a more striking knot, a plain shiny fabric or a fabric with a changeant (shot) effect is recommended:
- Linen fabrics with added synthetic fibers
- Cotton fabrics with added synthetic fibers
- Plain shiny fabrics or fabrics with a changeant effect
Additional Supplies
- Fusible interfacing
- 12 buttons
Cutting Plan
From main fabric:
- Upper Front – 2 pieces
- Lower Front – 2 pieces
- Back – 1 piece
- Sleeve – 2 pieces
- Cuff – 2 pieces
- Center Front Facing – 2 pieces
- Collar – 2 pieces
- Stand Collar – 2 pieces
- From fusible interfacing: Center Front Facing, upper Collar, upper Stand Collar, Cuff, and the all-in-one placket of the Lower Front
Sewing Instructions
- Fuse interfacing to the Center Front Facing, the upper Stand Collar, the upper Collar, and the Cuff.
- Mark and stitch the darts on the back. Press the darts towards the center back. Mark and stitch the dart on each Lower Front. Press it towards the center front.
- Fuse interfacing to the all-in-one placket of the Lower Front. Overlock the lower edge of the Upper Front slightly past the mark and the upper edge of the Lower Front. Overlock the center front edge of the Lower Front.
- Stitch the Lower Front to the Upper Front up to the notch. Press the seams open.
- Overlock the inner edge of the Center Front Facing. Stitch the facings to the front edges of the Upper Front, trim excess fabric at the corners, and turn the facings to the inside.
- Fold the all-in-one placket of the Lower Front to the wrong side and stitch across its upper corner. Turn it right side out and press.
- Stitch and overlock the side and shoulder seams. Press the side and shoulder seams towards the back.
- Place the Collar pieces right sides together and stitch around the edges. Trim the corners and turn the collar right side out. Press. Stitch the Stand Collar pieces together, sandwiching the collar between them. Turn the stand right side out and press.
- Stitch the lower stand (with the collar) to the neckline, turn under the raw edge of the upper stand, and topstitch it over the attachment seam.
- Overlock the sleeve edges. Stitch the sleeve seam up to the vent notch and press it open. Topstitch along the vent 0.2 cm from the fold. Run a line of loose (long) stitches along the lower edge of the sleeve and gather it (the gathered length is indicated on the pattern).
- Fold each cuff right sides together and stitch the ends. Turn the cuff right side out, trimming the corners. Stitch the outer layer of the cuff to the lower edge of the sleeve. Fold under the raw edge of the inner layer and topstitch it over the attachment seam. Set in the sleeves, easing the sleeve cap. Overlock the armhole seam.
- Overlock the blouse hem, fold the allowance to the wrong side, and topstitch.
- Mark and work buttonholes on the right front and sew buttons on the left front. Mark the button positions on the cuffs: fold the cuff in half, aligning the ends, and sew the buttons through both layers on both sides.
