Pattern printed of the Myrtil blouse by Laeti and Léa from size 34 to 50

Myrtil is a loose-fitting blouse design. Its crossover drape and small rounded grown-on collar give it a 1980s-inspired style.

Wear it open to reveal a pretty bustier, camisole or bodysuit. You can also use a snap fastener or add a small stitch to close the crossover and make the neckline more modest.

You can choose between:

• A straight back or a shirttail back to cover your lower back.
• Different sleeve lengths: short sleeves, long sleeves with an elasticated edge or with cuffs

Play with the different options to adapt it to your preferences, the seasons or your sewing level.

The techniques you will use and learn with this design:

• French seams (for neat finishes when closing the sleeves and bodice.
  
• A narrow handkerchief hem.
• Adding gathers.
• Creating a continuous bound placket
• The collar and shirt cuffs can be finished by machine or by hand.
  

Sewing level

Intermediate to advanced depending on the options chosen (3/5 to 4/5).

The technical points are the understanding and precision required to assemble the collar and front pieces, and to create a sleeve cuff with a continuous bound placket.

I guide you with explanations and detailed assembly diagrams, as well as an assembly-help video.

Size guide

This pattern is designed for a height of 1.65 m.

The most important measurements for this design are your height and bust measurement.

If you are taller or shorter than the stated height and the finished garment measurements do not suit you, you can make adjustments: you can shorten or lengthen the sleeve and/or bodice as explained in the guide.

If you are between 2 sizes, choose the larger size.

Required materials

Fabric

Choose a medium-weight woven fabric that is fluid and has a beautiful drape to showcase Myrtil’s draping. Fabrics that are too lightweight will not define the drape as well. Even better if your fabric does not crease much: viscose, viscose twill, viscose crêpe, cotton-viscose, linen-viscose, silk, cotton-silk, Tencel…

Take care with crinkle fabrics and double gauze, which tend to distort and may cause problems when assembling the collar, where precision is essential.

Please note! The quantities are given as a guide and may vary depending on the options you have chosen and how efficiently you can arrange the pattern pieces when cutting the fabric.

Haberdashery

• Some thread in a matching colour, and some needles suitable for your fabric.
• Some interfacing suitable for your fabric* for the collar and cuffs (preferably woven interfacing).
• 1.5 cm wide elastic (elasticated long-sleeve option)
• Continuous bound placket option- Some bias tape matching your fabric or made from a fabric scrap: 2 strips measuring 25 cm x 2.4 cm (ideally cut on the bias)

* Choose the type and thickness according to your fabric. Fabric interfaced with woven fusible interfacing will retain its “natural” hand and drape while gaining more body. Fabric interfaced with non-woven fusible interfacing will have a stiffer appearance.

To help you

• The Myrtil assembly-help video.
• The video tutorial for sewing a French seam.
• The video tutorial for sewing a handkerchief hem.
  
• How to choose your layer when printing the pattern.

You will also need more fabric if you need to match patterns and respect the direction of the print (allow 30% extra fabric in these cases)