I discovered the brand Lot of Things while scrolling through Instagram posts about the CSF held in November in Paris. And there I came across a post featuring the vintage-style collection from Lots of Things where all the pattern names end with "ette." I find their logo particularly original and the colors top-notch.
Without hesitation, I went to the brand’s website and found out that our two partners offer a free pattern: "the Cosette blouse."

So, Cosette is a small "charming" sleeveless blouse with a bow to tie at the front to close it.
I love its little retro touch that feels very 1950s America, you almost feel like you’re in a milkshake bar with Bubble pop colors… and just like that, it’s in my basket.
I think it’s an excellent way to try out a new brand… before maybe trying the cigarette trousers that catch my eye with their bell-bottoms...

Cosette is available for free in PDF version on the brand’s website for sizes 34 to 48.
It is therefore suitable for people with:
- a bust measurement between 79 and 110cm
- a waist measurement between 59 and 90cm.

Gala and I during cutting

After downloading, printing, cutting out, and assembling… here I am carefully cutting the pieces in size 36 of Cosette. And it’s very simple, there are only 3 "real" pieces:
- a back to cut on the fold
- a front to cut twice
- a collar to cut twice
and we will add a piece for the interfacing used to stiffen the button plackets, also to be cut twice.
So there is no collar stand to simplify assembly.
To make things even simpler, the seam allowances are included.

For the fabric, I chose a coupon of viscose from Nomura Tailor in Kyoto, Japan. I had chosen this pretty coupon of 100cm*110cm but didn’t yet have a project in mind for this very small coupon. Cosette fit perfectly inside, so it’s a very fabric-saving blouse that could probably fit into large scraps.
I also selected a cream bias tape to match the floral pattern, and the buttons come from the last stock of Maison dorée in Ixelles.

For assembling Cosette.
I was a bit surprised by the facing assembly, which is unconventional. Indeed, the facing is included in the two fronts. After a clever folding technique, which is well explained, the placket is created.

The technical points are:
- folding the facing to make the button plackets and the bow
- assembling the collar (without collar stand)
- applying the clean finish bias and the hidden bias for the armholes
- making the buttonholes
- making the hem.

I wasn’t very attentive to the back length, although it was indicated (45cm for size 38), and so... I knew Cosette would be short, but I didn’t expect it to be this short... it just shows you should always read the instructions carefully
This version can only be worn in summer or with a top underneath.
So I thought I would probably make another, longer Cosette because I really like the model. I think I’ll add a good 10 centimeters.
Also, I wonder if I won’t modify the facing to make it complete and independent from the fronts.
Indeed, I find that the proposed assembly for the facing is not as simple and complicates the hem finishing when approaching the bow to tie.
Finally, I would find it prettier (at the risk of seeming a finish perfectionist) to finish the collar with a facing rather than with the clean finish bias.

Otherwise, I think my Cosette is quite nice... now I just have to wait for the sun to wear it at the beach or on the terrace.