5 lightweight blouses to prepare for summer
The rising temperatures are making us want to get to work on our summer wardrobe.
For the hottest time of the year, we prefer vaporous shapes and light, breathable fabrics.
We’ve selected a few top ideas for you to make your own over the coming months!
A blouse with a wide neckline
To withstand the heat, it’s best to wear loose-fitting, slightly oversized clothes that don’t stick too tightly to the skin.
If you’re just starting out and sewing your first garments, you can make Lenaline’s Tania blouse, for example, which is explained on video, allowing you to familiarize yourself with a few technical points. It’s a wide blouse with a wide neckline, gathered with an elastic band, which allows you to bare one shoulder. Its shape is particularly suited to hot weather.
To make it even more breathable, choose a fabric made from natural fibers, such as cotton voile or double cotton gauze.
A blouse with an empire waist
If you don’t like full or oversized shapes, opt for the empire shape, which emphasizes the bust while keeping the shoulders and tummy wide enough.
Sorelle, the Moi je Couds pattern, is a pretty, feminine blouse with butterfly sleeves and a double-breasted front. A great way to keep cool while emphasizing your curves. The pattern is easy to personalize, as the blouse can be fastened at the back with a tie: an opportunity to choose a pretty contrasting ribbon, iridescent, gold…
For fabrics, choose a pretty fine linen for a light fall. Linen is a natural, highly breathable material, particularly pleasant to sew and wear on hot days.
An oversized reversible blouse
If you like versatile clothing, the Matcha blouse from Mangue-Chocolat is for you: it’s reversible and can be worn with the button placket at chest level or in the back. It goes perfectly with jeans for a casual look. Or with a skirt for a flowing, summery look.
Designed for comfort, the cut is very loose and oversized. The garment does, however, feature a number of finishing touches that make it stand out from the crowd. A button placket, a yoke at the top of the garment (allowing the use of two contrasting colors for a colorblock effect). And gathers for added volume.
The Matcha blouse can be made in several fabrics. For example, a cotton broderie anglaise for the top and a cotton poplin for the bottom. Or prefer double cotton gauze, linen, cotton voile…
A wide blouse for every occasion
With its extra-wide shape and cut inspired by traditional Eastern European blouses, the Jennifer top from Muna Patterns is a perfect piece to have in your wardrobe for summer. You can wear it to the beach over your swimsuit, to the office or on vacation.
Choose the right fabric for the purpose. For example, cotton voile or double cotton gauze for a relaxed look. A pretty linen for a dressier look, an openwork cotton for a romantic look…
If you like to add embroidery to your garments, you can add cross-stitch motifs at the bottom of the sleeves and on the neckline to give it an original touch. To do this, use a soluble canvas as a guide for your stitches, which will disappear in the first wash.
An ample top for beginners
Are you new to sewing and want to make yourself a pretty top? Go for the Patronnes pattern. A very simple piece that will help you learn how to put on clips and make nice clean hems. As the top is put on through the head, there’s no need to add a zipper or buttonhole. This makes it a very quick garment to assemble, and one that can be adapted to any number of occasions.
For the fabric, once again choose a natural, breathable fiber like cotton(cotton voile, cotton poplin…) or linen.
What do you like to sew for summer? What’s your favorite fabric for keeping warm?
