Blouse with Gathered Collar and Sleeves

Blouse with Gathered Collar and Sleeves

A loose women's blouse with short cut-on sleeves and a high stand collar, cut from only three pieces: front, back and collar. Collar, sleeve edges and hem are all shirred with elastic thread, so the blouse has no closure and pulls on over the head.

When To Wear

• In summer with trousers, jeans or a pencil skirt.
• At the office under a jacket, where the high collar replaces a necklace or scarf.

Key Design Features

Silhouette: Wide, bloused body with dropped, cut-on sleeves; the shirred band above the hem draws it in at the hip and leaves a short frill below.

Length: Hip length.

Collar: High stand collar cut in one piece on the fold, joined into a ring, folded in half lengthwise and shirred with parallel rows of elastic thread on the inner side; it is then gathered and sewn to the neckline, so the neckline itself is gathered under the collar.

Sleeves: Short kimono sleeves cut in one with the front and back; the edge is turned under and shirred with parallel rows of elastic thread.

Front: One piece cut on the fold, with no centre seam and no opening.

Back: One piece cut on the fold.

Waist: Rows of elastic-thread shirring above the hem.

Finishing: Shoulder and side seams overlocked and pressed towards the back; hem overlocked, turned up and topstitched.

Level Of Difficulty

Beginner. Only shoulder and side seams, a folded collar band and machine shirring with elastic thread.

Fabric Recommendations

Silk dress fabrics in natural or blended fibres.

Additional Supplies

• Elastic thread for shirring