Plus Size Blouse with Gathered Collar and Sleeves

Plus Size Blouse with Gathered Collar and Sleeves

A loose women's blouse with short sleeves cut in one with the body, a high double-layer stand collar shirred with elastic thread, and shirring at the sleeve edges and above the hem, which pulls the body in at the hip and leaves a small frill below. Only three pieces, each cut on the fold.

When To Wear

• Summer, with straight or wide-leg trousers or a pencil skirt.
• For the office or a daytime event in silky fabric.

Key Design Features

Silhouette: Blouson: full through the body and drawn in by shirring at the lower edge.

Length: Hip length; the hem is overlocked, turned up and topstitched, with rows of elastic-thread shirring above it.

Collar: Stand collar cut on the fold, joined into a ring, folded in half lengthwise and shirred with parallel rows of elastic thread (the elastic on the inner layer), then gathered at the raw edges and set into the neckline. The body is gathered into the collar.

Sleeves: Short, cut in one with the front and back; the edges are overlocked, turned under and held by parallel rows of shirring.

Back: One piece cut on the fold; only shoulder and side seams join the blouse.

Level Of Difficulty

Beginner. Three pieces and straight seams; shirring with elastic thread in the bobbin is the only special technique.

Fabric Recommendations

Silky dress fabrics in natural or blended fibres.

Additional Supplies

• Elastic thread for shirring