The ruffle collar long-sleeved blouse is a beautiful and elegant garment that adds a touch of femininity and sophistication to any wardrobe. With its delicate ruffled collar and refined construction, this blouse can be worn for both casual and formal occasions. Sewing your own ruffle collar blouse allows you to customize fabrics and fit while developing your sewing skills.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process—from assembling the body and sleeves to crafting the distinctive collar, cuffs, and finishing touches. Whether you are an intermediate sewist or an enthusiastic beginner ready for a challenge, this tutorial covers everything you need.
Materials Needed
- Fabric for blouse body (front, back, and sleeves)
- Collar fabric and leaf-shaped decorative fabric pieces
- Cotton cord (about 5 mm thick) for cuffs and collar detailing
- Buttons for cuffs
- Sewing machine and thread
- Pins or clips
- Fabric chalk or marker
- Scissors
- Iron
How to Sew a Ruffle Collar Long-Sleeved Blouse
Step 1: Assemble Blouse Body and Sleeves
Take the back fabric piece and one sleeve piece. Place them wrong sides together, aligning the cut edges. Sew along the sleeve seam with a 0.4 cm seam allowance.
Open the seam and press flat. Sew a second line of stitching 0.6–0.7 cm from the first seam on the right side to reinforce the seam.
Take one front fabric piece and one sleeve piece; place right sides together with a 1.2 cm overlap along the sleeve cap edge where it meets the body. Sew with a 0.4 cm seam allowance. Press seams open and topstitch at 0.6–0.7 cm from seam to secure.
Repeat these steps for the other sleeve, back piece and front piece. Turn the blouse right side out to check assembly.
Step 2: Create Sleeve Slits with Bias Binding
For the sleeve slit opening near the cuff, prepare bias tape by folding it lengthwise and pressing. Use a triple-fold method to enclose raw edges neatly.
Attach bias tape along the sleeve slit edges, sewing close to inner edges to secure. Trim excess bias tape for a clean finish.
Step 3: Sew Side Seams and Sleeve Underarm Seams
Turn the blouse inside out. Sew side seams of the body and underarm seams of the sleeves with about 0.6 cm seam allowance in one pass.
Flip the blouse inside out again and sew a second line of stitching close to the first (about 0.6 cm) for reinforcement. Trim seam allowances as needed to reduce bulk.
Step 4: Prepare and Attach Cuffs
Cut cuff fabric strips as per your pattern, including seam allowances. Insert a 5 mm cotton cord inside each cuff strip before sewing along long edges with right sides together, encasing the cord. Leave a small opening to pull out cord ends later if needed.
After sewing, turn cuffs right side out and press flat. Trim cuff fabric to desired length, leaving about 1 cm extra for seam attachment to sleeve.
Evenly gather sleeve ends to fit cuff width; use gathering stitches if necessary.
Place cuffs on sleeve ends with right sides together and sew with a 1 cm seam allowance, enclosing raw edges neatly.
Attach buttons and corresponding buttonholes or loops on cuffs. Topstitch cuffs for crisp edges.
Step 5: Finish Hemline
Fold hemline inward twice (usually about 1 cm each fold), press, and sew close to inner fold using a straight stitch or utilize a rolled hem foot on your sewing machine for a professional finish.
Step 6: Construct Ruffle Collar
Finish the V-neckline with binding, using the same method as for the sleeve openings.
Take the collar fabric, and use a rolled hem presser foot to sew the outer curved edge, rolling the hem 0.5cm. The two short edges also need to be hemmed.
On the other curved edge of the collar fabric, sew two lines approximately 0.7cm and 0.5cm from the edge, respectively, to create gathers. Determine the correct length and ensure the gathers are even.
Step 7: Make Collar Facing Strip with Cord Detail
Prepare collar facing strip by folding fabric lengthwise, enclosing cotton cord inside, and sewing close to edges, creating a structured strip with cord detail inside.
Step 8: Attach Collar to Blouse Neckline
Evenly distribute gathers on collar pieces along the neckline edge of the blouse body as per pattern markings. Pin or clip in place carefully aligning raw edges.
Sew collar to neckline using appropriate seam allowance, securing gathers evenly around neck opening.
Step 9: Finish Collar Edges and Attach Tie Straps
Use bias binding or facing to finish collar neckline seam for neat interior appearance.
Make the ties. Take the long strip of fabric, fold it in half with the right sides facing each other, sew along the edge, and turn it right side out. Take the four leaf-shaped fabric pieces and sew a 0.5cm seam around the edge of each piece. After sewing, overlap the four leaf-shaped fabric pieces, insert one end of the long fabric strip between two of the leaf pieces, and sew to secure it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What fabric types are best suited for this blouse?
Lightweight woven fabrics like cotton voile, lawn, silk blends, or fine linen work well because they hold gathers nicely without being too stiff.
How do I evenly distribute gathers on the collar?
Use two rows of long basting stitches on the edge to be gathered; gently pull bobbin threads while evenly spacing fabric until it matches neckline length.
What type of button is recommended for cuffs?
Small round buttons (10–12 mm diameter) made of plastic, metal, or shell complement this style well.
How do I care for this handmade blouse?
Follow fabric-specific care instructions; usually gentle hand wash or delicate machine wash with mild detergent is best.
Can I adjust this pattern for short sleeves?
Yes! Simply shorten sleeve pattern pieces accordingly and finish sleeve edge similarly without cuff attachment.
Final Thoughts
Sewing your own ruffle collar long-sleeved blouse is an enriching project that enhances your sewing skills while producing an elegant garment. Attention to detail in gathering, shaping, and finishing will result in a blouse that stands out both in style and craftsmanship.
Wear your handmade piece proudly—it’s a timeless addition to any wardrobe!
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