The Patent Blouse started with my own interest in clothing from the early 20th century, i.e. clothing registered with the US Patent Office.  My fascination grew with the discovery of so many one-piece patterns from the same period, and my own desire to produce creative pattern shapes.

This pattern has been tested and perfected with at least 8-10 samples and you’ll find much of that information linked below and on my website blog: ‘well-suited’.   My favourite combination skirt with this top is my Drape Tube Skirt.

It’s important that you cut your Patent Blouse from two-way (four-way in the US) stretch knit with a soft drapey quality and some elastane ( Lycra and Spandex) content.  I’ve tried to make it with one-way (two-way in the US) stretch and the results are not so fabulous.  My favourite fabrics for this top are wool/elastane and viscose/elastane for the best drape.

You’ll need to use stretch stitch types when you’re sewing.  If you don’t have one of the more sophisticated overlockers you can simply make this blouse with a zigzag or stretch stitch that you’ll find on most domestics sewing machines.

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My PDF block and pattern downloads can be printed as A0 or 36” plotter print at your local print shop or as A4/letter at home.  Please be sure when you go to the print shop or print at home that you select for printing at ‘actual size’ with ‘no scaling’, or at 100%.  This will make sure your pattern is printed at the correct size.

More of the Pattern Puzzle designs are being developed as we speak so make sure you are subscribed to receive my newsletter to be the first to hear.

It’s available for personal and home use as well as business and educational.  Use the drop down menu to make your selection.

The Patent Blouse is a one-piece pattern with an unusual fitting.  The best fabrics for this pattern are two-way (four-way in the US) stretch knits with an elastane (Lycra/Spandex) content.  The centre front and neckline are on the same line creating a wonderful soft drape around the neckline.  I’ve included a 5cm (2″) fold-back along this line to add weight to the neckline and drape.  The armholes are located on the same seam that runs through the back of the blouse and connects to the centre back seam.

It’s home and industry ready and based on my size chart.  The pattern fitting is for loose fit top that finishes at the high hip level. You’ll find a pattern measurement chart on the printed pattern, that you can use to confirm the size you have selected will fit how you like it.  When you check the measurements of the pattern, on the size you have selected, you’re looking for something really close to your body measurement.  Because you’ll be cutting in a two-way stretch knit, a fitting close to your body measurements should be the best.

The first order of business is to select your closest size and begin the process of fitting this blouse to your own measurements.  The range of sizes on offer relates to my size chart, that’s also printed on the pattern.  Cut your closest size in a similar fabric for first fittings and make any necessary adjustments for personal fit. Once you have achieved a good personal fit you’ll be ready to cut in your final fabric.

Remember I’m just an email away for any questions about our PDF downloadable patterns.  If you enjoy pattern making and fancy a challenge, have a look at the great pattern making posts on my blog, well-suited.

Enjoy. 🙂