Bellissima Blouse

The modern boxy blouse fits closely at the neck with a neat 2 piece collar. The inside is finished with a smart lined back yoke. There is a folded button placket opening at the front

There are plenty of options for customisation including:

Back:

• Gathered - creating a swishy draped silhouette

• Pleated- ideal for more structured fabrics creating a streamlined silhouette

Sleeves:

• Simply finshed with a narrow hem

• turn back cuffs add utility chic to the short sleeve

• Draped flowing bell sleeves are gathered into the grown on dropped short sleeve seam at the top and gathered into a neat narrow cuff with a .

Length:

• The shirt length sits just above the high hip creating a swingy modern silhouette

• The Tunic length features long side splits and an optional staggered or levelled hem

Both length are finished with a neat double-turned narrow hem.

Pockets:

• Choose one or two small or large chest pockets

Pick a fabric which presses easily for a neat finish. Choosing a fabric with a little bit of natural crosswise stretch will make setting the collar that bit easier. A drapey fabric with some weight which gathers well is an ideal choice for the long sleeve version.

Suggested fabrics:

Light to medium weight woven fabrics with some stability and structure including chambray, georgette, viscose challis, viscose twill, lightweight linen, satin, morrocain crepe, cotton lawn, cotton voile, cotton poplin.

The Bellissima Blouse can be made in MHW sizes 1-9.

The gathered long sleeve is set into a dropped sleeve head so please consider this when measuring the sleeve length. The blouse features a roomy fit with lots of ease at the waist and hem, but fits neatly at the collar and across the shoulders. The pattern is designed to have a loose fit with a lot of ease in the body so if you choose to size down for a closer fit, do check if the neckline and shoulders may be too snug.

It is vitally important, when sewing your own clothes, to take accurate measurements of your body, and not rely on the sizing you expect to buy on the high street. For this pattern we have opted to use sizing 1 – 9, which approximately covers UK sizes 8 – 24. Measure yourself first to choose the right size for you!

Fabric 110cm/45”wide:

Pleated back Shirt length with short sleeves: 210cm

Gathered back Shirt length with short sleeves: 180cm (size 1-4 only)

Pleated back Shirt length with long sleeves: 340cm

Gathered back Shirt length with long sleeves: 310cm (size 1-4 only)

Pleated back tunic length with short sleeves: 310cm

Gathered back tunic length with short sleeves: 280cm (size 1-4 only)

Pleated back tunic length with long sleeves: 440cm

Gathered back tunic length with long sleeves: 410cm (size 1-4 only)

Add 25cm for short sleeve cuff

Fabric 150cm/60” wide:

Gathered or Pleated back shirt length with short sleeves: 170cm

Gathered or Pleated back shirt length with long sleeves: 285cm

Gathered or Pleated back tunic length with short sleeves: 270cm

Gathered or Pleated back tunic length with long sleeves: 385cm