THE SEWING PATTERNS JOURNAL

BLOUSES AND SHIRTS: WHICH SEWING PATTERN TO CHOOSE?

Eight patterns, eight personalities.

At Atelier Brunette, the Blouses / Shirts collection brings together romantic and hypnotic, chic and bohemian cuts, designed to perfectly suit all body types. Mandarin collar, shirt collar, batwing sleeves or kimono sleeves, there is definitely a cut made for you. This guide takes you pattern by pattern, from the most accessible to the most technical.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A BLOUSE AND A SHIRT?

A shirt that fastens with a full button placket on the front and incorporates structured shirt-making codes (crisp collar, cuffs, defined shoulder line).

 

A blouse, on the other hand, plays more on volume, gathers, and material effects, with a sometimes symbolic closure.

THE QUICK GUIDE TO CHOOSING YOUR SEWING PATTERN

DETAILS OF EACH ATELIER BRUNETTE PATTERN

Patterns available in print or PDF format

LA CHEMISE BOYISH

Intermediate sewing level

What makes it special?

A loose, straight cut, a rounded and asymmetrical shirttail hem, a large circular pleat in the back for total ease of movement, a traditional stand-up collar, wide buttoned cuffs with gauntlet plackets. French seams throughout, borrowed from menswear, large patch pocket on the front.

What fabrics are recommended for sewing it?

Cotton, poplin, linen, viscose or even light gabardine.

LA CHEMISE

Intermediate sewing level

Its specific features?

Available in two versions: without armhole cut-outs, for a loose fit and a captivating beveled front cut-out; or a version with armhole cut-outs, ideal for perfectly aligning stripes. Small French collar, airy batwing sleeve, buttoned gauntlet cuff.

Recommended fabrics for sewing?

Double gauze, Viscose, Linen, Cotton, Velvet…

LA CHEMISETTE STRUCTURÉE

Sewing level accessible to beginners

What are its specific features?

The perfect balance between structure and lightness: curved front and back panels, short sleeves, a mandarin collar that adds character without arrogance, and a button placket closure faithful to shirtmaking codes.

Recommended fabrics for sewing?

She likes medium-weight cottons: Oxford, Poplin, Striped Cotton, Ikat, or Woven Velvet.

LA BLOUSE SCULPTURALE

Sewing level accessible to beginners

What are its specific features?

A deliberately loose and controlled fit, shoulders precisely tailored, a slightly flared round neckline that flatters the head. Its three-button closure on an asymmetrical placket revisits 80s codes, with all finishes in flat-felled seams.

Recommended fabrics for sewing?

Cotton, Linen or a light to medium blend, or even a soft Denim.

LA CHEMISETTE

Beginner-friendly sewing level.

What are its special features?

Vintage, urban or bohemian feel, as desired.

A decidedly urban shirt collar, a back longer than the front for a boyfriend effect, a back yoke with a box pleat, and an optional patch pocket.

Two versions to choose from: cuffed and buttoned sleeves, or kimono sleeves for more ease. An excellent first shirt pattern.

Recommended fabrics for sewing?

Viscose, linen, cotton, double gauze.

LA BLOUSE

Intermediate sewing level

What makes it special?

A voluminous cut created by gathers all around it, a mandarin collar that instantly adds style, and gathered batwing sleeves fitted into a cuff.

What fabrics are recommended for sewing it?

Sew in viscose or linen viscose to fully enjoy the movement of the gathers.

LA CHEMISE AMIRALE

Intermediate sewing level

What makes it special?

A loose fit for ease of movement, a hip-skimming length, a stand-up mandarin collar, a double-button placket closure. Back yoke to emphasize the shoulders, back pleats for lightness, long flared sleeves that brush the hands.

Recommended fabrics for sewing?

Light and flowing fabrics: viscose, linen, cotton.

LA ROBE CHEMISE

Intermediate sewing level

Its specificities?

The shirt that lengthens into a dress: straight, loose and generous cut, well-fitted shirt collar, long sleeves with a triangle insert, pleated cuff and gauntlet placket. A back yoke features pretty gathers, a patch pocket adorns the front, and the rounded shirt-tail hem bordered by two slits is reminiscent of THE Chemisette.

Recommended fabrics for sewing?

To be sewn in viscose, linen, cotton...

YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT BLOUSES AND SHIRTS

Which shirt pattern should beginner sewers choose?

LA Chemisette, LA Chemisette Structurée or LA Blouse Sculpturale are the three most accessible patterns in the wardrobe.

What fabric should I choose to sew a flowy blouse?

Viscose and linen viscose are recommended for LA Blouse, to enhance the movement of its gathers. For more structured shirts, opt for oxford, poplin or cotton.

Can a blouse or a short-sleeved shirt be transformed into a dress?

Yes: Atelier Brunette offers step-by-step tutorials to hack LA Blouse, LA Chemisette Structurée, and LA Chemisette into a dress, or LA Chemise into a crop shirt, and other hacks of all kinds available in The Journal.

HOW TO STYLE YOUR BLOUSES AND SHIRTS?

3 outfit ideas with the Atelier Brunette Blouses / Shirts collection

THE ATELIER BRUNETTE PATTERN COLLECTION IN A WORD

Blouse and shirt patterns accessible to every sewing level, for all styles and all inspirations.

I SEW THEM

The Atelier Brunette team

 

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