Typically associated with 80’s era office gals, the necktie or pussy bow blouse is coming back in a chic way. While we’ve made our newest Onella Blouse free sewing pattern to be paired with our Janet Cosplay, we can’t wait to make it again and again this fall. I can already imagine it in a gorgeously draped crepe or georgette or even a cozy flannel, perfect for walking through the park as the leaves begin to change!
Purchase Materials Used Below:
- 3 yards Watercolor Clouds Digitally Printed Polyester Crepe
- 8 Italian White 4-Hole Plastic Buttons
- MDF167 – The Onella Blouse Sewing Pattern (free download below!)
All seam allowances are 1/2″ unless otherwise stated. See chart below for sizing specifications. Note, this specific pattern is available up to a size 30.
Step 1
Begin sewing your shirt by adding your bust darts to the front panels of your blouse, noting the guides on your pattern pieces. After stitching, press them downward.
Step 2
Following the guidelines on your pattern, mark your faux placket folds at the center front of your shirt. The center edge should be folded inward half an inch, followed by a full inch and sewed down as you see in the image below. Do this for both of your front blouse panels.
Step 3
Attach the front and back panels at the shoulders and side seams. Since this is an unlined garment, I recommend French seams here.
Step 4
Sew the inseam of each of your sleeves also using French seams.
Step 5
Along the top curve of your sleeve, stay-stitch with your widest straight stitch in between the markings on your pattern piece. Note, do not back stitch here. Pull one of the threads so your fabric gathers like you see in the lower left-hand image.
Step 6
Pin and sew your sleeves into the armscye of your blouse. Here, I sewed regular seams and them bound them with bias tape to clean them up.
Step 7
Create your sleeve cuffs and evenly gather the bottom of your sleeve along one edge, fabric faces together. Fold the other raw edge up toward the inside of your sleeve, tuck in your seam allowance, and slip-stitch closed.
Step 8
Next, sew your necktie pieces together along the short edge using a regular seam and press the seam open. Line the seam up with the center back of your blouse and pin it faces together along the neckline of your garment, like you see below.
Step 9
Fold the tie in half downward, bringing the faces together. Sew along the raw edges from the point to the stitching line where you attached it to your neckline. Do this for both ties.
Step 10
Clip your seam allowance, turn your bow ties right side out and press. Fold the raw edge inward along the neckline and slip-stitched closed.
Step 11
Lastly, add your buttons and corresponding buttonholes evenly along the front placket of your blouse and hem the very bottom of your shirt with a simple rolled hem.
Your new bow blouse is adorable and ready to wear! For details on how to make the rest of Janet’s outfit, visit our Janet Cosplay post!
For More Inspiration and Pattern Hack Using the Onella Blouse Pattern, Click the Links Below:
The Nasrin Pants – Free Sewing Pattern + Onella Blouse Pattern Hack
Saturated Style – 3pc Pattern Ensemble
Finally got around to blogging about my experience making the Onella Blouse. I *love* this fabric so much. I would love to get it in other designs, too. https://seamsgeek.blogspot.com/2019/10/janet-cosplay-part-i-onella-blouse-from.html
I have been wanting to make this blouse for a long time. Thank you Mood for the pattern
Thank you for the pattern. I’ve been wanting to make this for a long time.
I’m very excited to make this in a black linen. This is very similar to the tie-neck blouse worn in Russian Doll and I loved it so much.
I love the pattern.. and love the fabrics.. thank you for the pattern.. this is the pattern that I’ve been waiting for so long..
Do you not interface the placket and cuffs?
Hi Veronica! If you’re using a lightweight fabric, it can definitely help to add interfacing to the placket and cuffs. 🙂
Almost done making this… tip for others… you may need to size down! I went down a few sizes and it’s still big. (Also, I interfaced the placket and cuffs.) Stay safe everyone!
I found other people’s experiences making this blouse really helpful, so I wrote mine down too! This was really fun to make. Thank you, Courtney, for making this pattern and tutorial available for free! https://natsewsthings.wordpress.com/2020/11/15/making-a-janet-from-the-good-place-costume-the-blouse/
Hi, I was curious if this would be a good pattern to use with Double Cotton Gauze for a light and flowy blouse?
Yes, that would be stunning! 🙂
Just about done with mine! Made it from a vintage woven cotton stripe, great for warm weather. I narrowed down and shortened the sleeves and the tie.
I have wanted this blouse since I had one many many moons ago. Thank you for the pdf pattern. I’m new at sewing and I’m confused at the collar/bow. The grainline goes horizontal and vertical. How do I lay it on the fabric?
Hi, Jane! If a pattern piece has two grainlines on it, it can be cut on the grain or cross grain. 🙂
What size is the model wearing?
This is a size 18. 🙂
Would this pattern work with a satin fabric?
Yes, it would! 🙂
I loved this pattern, thanks for sharing it for free
Beautiful blouse! Are the dimensions shown actual body sizes, or finished garment dimensions? I’d especially be interested to know finished garment measurement for the bust. Thank you!
Hi Tracey! They are body measurements!
I would love to sew this pattern unfortunately the link to download the pattern doesn’t work, is it normal ?
Hi Floriane! The link should be working, but if you’re still having trouble with it, just email info@moodfabrics.com and they’ll send the pattern to you!
is Mood going to restock the fabric?
Hi Jen! Sadly this was a closeout fabric, so we won’t be restocking this. I tried looking for a suitable alternative, but it doesn’t look like we are currently selling any other cloud prints. 🙁
Just finished my Janet cosplay in time for Halloween! I cut the front piece on the fold without the placket since I didn’t want buttons, and I replaced the cuffs with elastic. I’m tempted to make another one in a different color or try it with short sleeves.
Wow that sounds great, we hope you’ve enjoyed!