Since the release of the Pleatie Patterns (Pleatie Playsuit and Pleatie Dress & Shortsuit) I have been inundated with emails and messages from people wanting a pattern for a Pleatie Blouse. Well the great news is that the very talented and incredibly generous Tanya from Sewvolution has create a fabulous PATTERN HACK for you all!
If you haven't visited Tanya's blog before you really need to head over for a look - it is candid, relaxed, informative and has some fantastic pattern hacks for your fav Tadah Patterns!
Now over to Tanya with the HACK:
It's no secret I love the Pleatie Dress but with a kid who a) wont wear pants and b) won't wear anything elasticated around her belly I've had to hack it to a blouse to get the look I love but with a feel that suits her.
So of course you'll need your Pleatie Dress and Shortsuit pattern and all fabrics and notions according to the pattern. You'll need to alter the length of the top front and back pieces according to the table below.
Cut your top front and back pieces and facing pieces according to the options chosen with the revised length and collar and sleeves if you've chosen to use those.
Prepare as per pattern steps 1-31
DO NOT DO STEP 32 - sewing down the placket... DON'T do this one yet - we will do it later in a slightly different method to the pattern to enclose the placket as there are no shorts or skirt attached to enclose it.
Continue from step 33-34
If using sleeves finish step 61-63
Overlock the bottom hem and fold it up the length of the overlocking and press (or just fold it up 1/4"), fold up another 1/4" and press - do not sew.
Keeping the first 1/4" fold of the bottom hem folded up, turn the placket outward on the 3/4" pressed line you would have created in step 8 - so right sides are facing and the 1/2" fold of the placket is also folded up and tack this down at the second 1/4" pressed mark (along the fold you can see where my thumb is) repeat for other side.
(a different view of what I've mentioned above)
Clip the corners of the placket and flip right sides out - poke out the edges
Starting at the top of the left hand placket, sew down the placket till you reach the bottom hem, with your needle down, pivot and continue sewing along the hem line.
Take care that your pleats lie flat when you are sewing over them.
Stop again at the right hand placket and with your needle down, pivot and sew up the placket till the top. You've basically sewn a big U shape.
Add your buttons or snaps and Tadah!!!! you've got a Pleatie Blouse.
Thank you SO much to Tanya for this fabulous pattern hack :) If you love this hack and want to tell Tanya how much you appreciate her time and effort please leave a comment below or head over the her blog (Sewvolution) or Facebook page (Lishylou Handmade) to give her some love.
Lauren x
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Lauren Harris
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