The Raglan sleeve blouse pattern is the perfect simple, easy, and free tutorial to get you to practice your sewing skills and advance to the next level. This blouse is for woven fabrics, but you can use a knit with a horizontal stretch if you want to.
I feel like my sewing mojo has been lacking lately, so I wanted to work on a project that was easy enough, yet still useful. If you are feeling as I do, this is the perfect project to get you back on track and end up with a blouse that is sure to get you cool in the warmer months.
This project has short sleeves for the warm weather ahead,
a scooped neck,
and is long enough to cover your backside.
It also has an optional keyhole detail to practice attaching bias tape.
Sewing Level: Confident Beginner
Please read Five mistakes to avoid when cutting fabric before you start this project. It's a good way to avoid some potentially costly mistakes.
Materials
- cotton batiste, lawn, eyelet, silk, satin or jersey, bamboo or linen knit
- bias tape 3/8″ wide
- thread to match
Tools
- sewing machine or hand needle
- scissors
Fabric Suggestions from Amazon.com
Pattern Layout
Body Measurements
The following measurements are for woven fabrics only, allow 2″ more is using knits with 50% stretch.
| Sizes | M | L | XL |
| Bust | 38-39″ | 40-41″ | 42-43″ |
| Hips | 38-39″ | 40-41″ | 42-43″ |
| Waist | 28-30″ | 32-34″ | 36-38″ |
How To Print The Raglan Sleeve Blouse Pattern
Please use the latest version of Adobe Reader. It is free and the only program you will need to print this pattern. Use Landscape mode and Actual Size. Do not scale the pattern.
Print the first page first to test the 2″ x 2″ square to make sure the sizing is correct before printing out all the other pages.
Pattern Download
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Sewing Instructions
This is a very easy blouse to put together. The seam allowance is NOT included in the pattern, I suggest using a 3/8″ seam allowance.
Attach the bias tape around the keyhole. You can follow the tutorial below on how to sew a keyhole neckline for detailed instructions on how to do this.
Sew the darts and the sides of the blouse. While the tutorial below shows how to sew darts using a skirt. The same technique can be used to sew the darts in this blouse.
Sew the sleeves at the arm's length. Place the front and back of the sleeves together print sides facing each other and sew using a small to medium stitch. Make sure you keep a strict sewing allowance or you will change the size of the sleeve.
Open the sleeve, and notice one side is higher than the other.
The lower side is the front and the higher one is the back. Match the sleeve to the blouse at the seamline. Pin the sleeve and sew. Serge the seam allowance.
Attach the bias tape around the neckline.
Hem the sleeve and the bottom of the blouse. I am used to working with different ways to do the hem. I'll leave you the article down here so you can choose the easiest way to do your hem.
For the sleeves I used the serged the sleeve hemline then I folded the edge twice.
And that's all.
I think you will be surprised by how nice of a finished product you will get with so little time invested. I've found that the upper beginner to the intermediate stage is the most fun part of your sewing journey, as all these techniques you've learned slowly come together into a fun variety of projects.
I am looking forward to seeing your take on this raglan sleeve blouse pattern on your Instagram accounts or any other social media that you use. I am always so very happy to hear from you!
Stay tuned for more projects and articles, And Until Next Time, Happy Sewing! Let's keep the world together one stitch at a time.
I really like this pattern and got it all printed out before looking at the instructions. Now I’m seeing the measurements. Is there any plan for smaller sizes? I’m about 7 inches smaller in the bust than the medium. I know I should have checked first!
This blouse is just what I need for a nice summer top. But, I will have to check back in a week or two to see if you added the graded up sizes to the pattern as I am a 1X. Thank you!
Mayra’
Tkis looks like a great pattern. Will be looking for the larger sizes 😉
Hi Pamela, yes it is but you might have to add an elastic to the sleeve because they are a little flared or not depends on how you like it.
I really really wanted to try that shirt pattern, it looks like something I could do, but I am plus size 2X. ????
Working on grading it, I would like to ask you to check back in a couple of weeks. Kind Regards,
Has anyone tried putting this PDF pattern together yet?? I am so excited to make the top, but the pages are not matching up. I have already printed a second copy, revisited the tutorial on how to tile the pages, and no luck – same problem! HELP!!!
HI M, you need to tape horizontally 1-3, 4-6, 7-9,10-12 then tape then one over the over 1-3 over 4-6 etc. The grey square is 1 square inch. Print on Landscape and Actual Size with no scaling whatsoever and that will give you a pattern that is ready to be used.
Hi!
I’ve been meaning to get some new tops to wear to work for the warmer months and was thrilled to find this fun pattern! I’m printing out the pattern now as my fabric (some fun vintage that was gifted to me) washes.
One quick question: I can’t seem to find the fabric requirements (ie how many yards do I need)? I’m hoping I have enough 🙂
Thanks again for a fabulous pattern!
Blessings, Mellie
Hi Mellie, it will depend on the size and width of fabric that you are using. The best thing is to print the pattern in your size and work out how much fabric you need by measuring the length of the pattern. The wider and smaller the size the less fabric you will need.
Am I missing it or did you not give any suggestions for amount of fabric needed to make this cute top?
No, I did not, you can measure the pattern length and width and then calculated according to the width of the fabric. For example, I used a size large, but my fabric was 64″ wide, one yard was enough.
This is a design I think would work for me. However, I already have put a lot of time into creating a t-shirt pattern that fits my body. Can you tell me – or point me to where I can find – how to take that set-in sleeve pattern and turn it into a raglan sleeve? Thanks ever so much for all the time you give us!
Hi Kathy, the whole thing would require a separate tutorial but basically join the sleeve with the bodice using tape then decide how long you want the sleeve to be and re-trace the whole pattern. It is simple but you need to make a sloper to test your pattern. I will write it up I think a lot of people can benefit from this type of tutorial. Thanks for the suggestion.
How much fabric do I need? I can’t find that anywhere.
I love this shirt. I can’t wait to try it out. It looks so simple!
Thank you!
Depends on the size and width of the fabric, between 1 to 1.25 if the fabric is 60″ wide.
I would love to see this (and yes pay for) a version of this in plus size. It has the perfect shape and flow for my larger chest and hips. I know that plus size clothing is harder to design so that’s why I suggested I’d be willing to pay for it. Thanks for the consideration either way and for the free version.
Hi Kristen, I am working on a plus-size version. It will be free but you can always donate to the site using PayPal or Ko-Fi. I will let you know via the newsletter when is ready. Kind Regards
I love the blouse, but alas I have trouble sizing them down to fit when the pattern is way too big. Sometimes I have good luck sizing down from a small. My bust is only 31.5″, or 32″ if I wear a padded bra.
Hi Janet, my daughter is also very small, sounds like you are an XXS or XS, how are your shoulders and hips.
I need a 2x size. How would i go about enlarging this pattern?
Thank you
Carol
I will Carol in a separate pattern, keep in touch.
Hi! Thank you for this adorable pattern. I am new to darts and haven’t done a keyhole before, so I am excited to try this!
When you say to allow 2″ more if using knit with 50% stretch, do you mean t that M waist measurements would be 30-32″? Just want to be sure I am understanding!
Yes, that is what I meant, it all depends on how you like your clothing, you can use medium if your chest is 42 but your shoulders are small and do not have a muffin top, If your shoulder is wide however or your pants a little tight that makes you a muffin top it is better to use size L as it is in my case.
Excellent information! Thankyou for all your hard work!????
I would love to try this pattern but I am a plus size woman.
Great, simple blouse! Where can I find the satin (silk?) bias binding?
Hi Sharon, amazon https://amzn.to/3LD3KDb or your local shop, but if you can not find 3/8″ you can use 1/2″, remember to change the seam allowance of the blouse to 1/2″ as well.
I wear a 18 / 20. Any chance you could include larger sizes? I really like the raglan sleeve blouse.
Soon, keep in touch I will share larger sizes.
How much fabric do you need for the raglan blouse pattern? The amount is not listed in the supplies list. Thank you.
1 to 1.2 yards of 60″ wide.
Do you have this raglan sleeve top sized for “Plus”? I’m not too great at grading but I normally wear a 2X I’m ready to wear. Looks like a great summer top that I’d like to try.
I am happy to try the pattern but I want to leave out the keyhole . And make sleeves to the elbow. Is this possible with this pattern?
Thank you
Pam
Tdev83@aol.com
Hi Pamela, yes it is but you might have to add an elastic to the sleeve because they are a little flared or not depends on how you like it.