Céline invites us to discover her favorite shirt for the new season: none other than Betty by Clématisse Pattern!
I had my eye on this Atelier Brunette oxford for weeks, the color is so gorgeous! But I was trying to be sensible and not give in, telling myself I already had plenty of fabrics waiting to be sewn... We are all the same, aren't we? 😂
And then one day, while organizing the patterns, my eyes caught Betty by Clématisse Pattern and it hit me:
this pattern would be perfect in this fabric!
We have a pact among colleagues to try and stop each other from giving in to temptation too much 😂, otherwise we'd go home every day with new fabric or yarn!
So I asked Ségolène for her opinion on this combination, and the verdict was clear: I simply had to bring this little idea to life!
The pattern
Betty is a sleeveless shirt with extended shoulders, available in two lengths: a short version fitted with darts, and a longer version without darts that still skims the silhouette for a feminine, relaxed look.
It features a classic shirt collar that adds a sophisticated touch.
There is also a small chest pocket that you can choose to add or omit.
It is an ideal blouse to have in your wardrobe, combining the elegance of a shirt with the comfort of a blouse.
An ideal blouse for back-to-school season!
Information for sewing this model
Betty is available in Printed or PDF format, just like all Clématisse Pattern patterns in our shop.
Betty comes in sizes 34 to 52.
Seam allowances are included and pattern pieces do not overlap.
The PDF version can be printed in A4 or A0 format, and you can choose to print all sizes or just one.
The instruction booklet is very detailed despite its concise length (a hint at how easy and quick this pretty top is to make 😉).
There is even a video tutorial available to make your life easier.
This pattern is drafted for a height of 1.65m.
The main measurement for this style is the bust circumference.
In the seamstress's basket
To sew Betty, you will need woven fabrics.
The pattern requires:
- 1.2m to 1.3m of fabric for the short version
- 1.3m to 1.5m for the long version.
It is suitable for fabrics with a bit of structure such as:
- poplin and cotton sateen, and of course why not Japanese poplin 😉
- light Denim,
- linen or linen Viscose,
- an oxford,
- broderie anglaise
- ...
- about 40cm of interfacing for the collar and optionally the button placket depending on how lightweight your fabric is
- 6 to 8 buttons between 10-14mm
- matching thread
My supplies
To sew my version of Betty, I chose that famous, magnificent Atelier Brunette oxford, which has the perfect drape and hold for this top and its extended shoulders.
A bit of interfacing for the collar
Standard sewing thread
Cute buttons from my personal stash shaped like adorable little geese!
But I didn't stop there because I wanted a completely custom project, so I decided to embroider it! So I added DMC skeins and waste canvas.
I'll tell you more about that below.
My sewing experience
Here I am with a new pattern that I will certainly be making again and again!
I had a wonderful time sewing this blouse—no hassle, no second-guessing!
If you already have a bit of sewing experience, it really is easy to make.
For beginners looking to tackle their first shirt project, this pattern is ideal!
The collar is the trickiest part, but the instructions are so clear that if you take your time and follow the step-by-step guide, everything goes smoothly!
It's also a great opportunity to sew buttonholes. No need to panic: just grab a scrap piece of fabric, set a mark, test the process, and then sew your buttonholes with confidence on your blouse.
For more experienced sewists, it's a pleasant and quick project between two more ambitious creations.
My embroidery experience
I also embroidered a little cross-stitch goose on the pocket, as a sweet nod to the buttons 😊
I used waste canvas and DMC stranded embroidery floss.
This was one of my first embroidery projects, and I am quite proud of the result!
There you go! I've already dug through my stash to find fabric to make Betty again, and more versions will be coming to life soon. It's the kind of blouse that's easy to layer under a cardigan for cool mornings, and easy to take off once it warms up!
Find Betty and all the patterns by Clématisse Pattern here
Find Atelier Brunette oxfords here
And if you want to sew your own shirts and learn all the techniques, tips, and tricks... why not join us for courses? See our full range of courses here.
Time to get started! Happy sewing!
