Summer Sewing ~ The Pretty Blouse
Amanda from The Modern Marigold blog and shop created this lovely summer design for you. Her Pretty Blouse PDF Pattern + Tutorial has everything you need to make a light, fun top for summer. Check out Amanda’s introduction for more info about her work, visit Amanda at The Modern Marigold and download the pattern today!
Time to whip up an easy breezy summer top… For you! The Pretty Blouse’s shape is summery and feminine while offering plenty of coverage (plumber booty no more) and flattering the bust. You’re gonna love it.
Options abound: lengthen it and add a belt for a sweet summer dress, add a lace overlay for extra elegance, or embroider plain white cotton for a Mexican peasant-style top. How awesome would this top look tie-dyed?
Use a fabric that fits your fancy: light-as-air voile, that funky vintage bed sheet you’ve been hoarding, a thrifted too-big dress (I made the orange top out of a thrifted mumu!), or whatever’s handy and drapes nicely.
You’ll be printing the PDF pattern and taping each pattern piece together, so get your scissors and scotch tape ready. The pattern is provided in women’s sizes small, medium, and large (see measurement chart in PDF). If you need it bigger or smaller, you can always fudge the pattern pieces a little as you cut them out. I have not provided detailed instructions for every technique called for, but here’s a list of great tutorials/refreshers:
- Making bias tape
Topstitching
Gathering (see step 2)
Zig-zag finishing raw edges
Sewing on bias tape
Fabric requirements, cutting layout, sizing chart, and sewing instructions are all in the PDF– Let’s get sewing! Hope you love your pretty blouse!
Comment on any post this week to win one of our Summer Sewing prizes! You could win four bag patterns from Fourteen May, a $25 gift certificate to Sew,Mama,Sew! or a copy of City Quilts by Cherri House.
202 Responses to “Summer Sewing ~ The Pretty Blouse”
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Hi ! Lovely pattern
. Just bought a sewing machine yesterday. I’m hoping for a long and happy relationship with my sewing machine 
BTW, lovely blogs like these were my inspiration to buy a sewing machine in the first place !
That is so pretty, I can’t wait to whip one up.
Fantastic top! Can’t wait to give this one a go. Thank you.
Thanks so much for this lovely pattern.Have to try this out!
WOW! What an awesome pattern!! Thank you so much! Now I have to figure out what fabric I wil use for the blouse, and how to make it larger. I wil let you know when I get it done.
It’s beautiful!
Thanks for the PDF pattern
What a great top!
I’ll be making this one!!
Thank you!
Oooh, nice! I have a couple of tops like this, and they’re way too short on tall me. I can make one now!
Might just have to try this. Although recently the weather hasnt been that summery in the UK :p
Want to make this right away for my daughter!
wow. this is so lovely. thank yoU!!
Such a sweet top. As I sit here and shiver in Australia, it gives me hope that warmer weather will return.
That orange top is gorgeous! I saw it on the modern marigold and have loved it since!
I really “like” the look of the Pretty Blouse. I think that I have enough fabric in my craft closet to create this feminine top. I also will make one long for a dress length!
What a great pattern – tops like these are so useful in the summer to throw on when your headed out the door for the school run or to do groceries but still want to look cool!
Thanks heaps, will be downloading for sure!
J
Very Cute blouse. It’d be nice without the sleeves too.
looooove amanda’s work!
i’m so excited about this top pattern and i loved it as her entry into the made by rae spring ruffle top contest. thank you to amanda for being sooo generous and sharing this pattern with us! 
Great summer top with lots of room to “breath”!
Cute!
That looks super cute
I love that first top, especially.
Each one of them looks so different and lovely. Wonderful pattern to make multiples of. Thank you for sharing this.
I’ve been looking for something to make with all of those wonderful voiles out there and this might just be it! Thanks for the free pattern!
What sweet little shirt!
Awesome! The shirt and that it’s a free pattern! On my to do list right now!
This is a really cute top. I’m definitely going to give it a try!
i visited Amanda’s blog and it is as colorful as all her creations. I love her use of beautiful vintage fabrics! so fresh.
Eeeep! I am so excited about this pattern. I love drapey tops in the summertime.
Thank you so much for sharing, Amanda!
This top looks perfect for a summer day. Thanks for sharing.
Lovely pattern – so versatile.
Such a sweet pattern. It could be sewn up so many ways.
I haven’t attempted a top yet, but this is tempting! Thanks for the pattern.
thanks Amanda for the pdf pattern.I’ll try to sew the blouse! I love this kind of blouse,light and feminine, and the fabric you used.
This shirt is adorable! I especially love it in that orangey fabric.
Now this is a blouse I would not be afraid to try. Thank you for posting the “reminder” tutorials for review. Great Idea!
That has to be the coolest pattern I’ve ever heard of – I especially love the deconstructed mumu!
I love this shirt! I’ve been looking for similar pattern to make for myself. Will defiantly make one.
Such a sweet and happy blouse. It looks very easy too.
This is a nice looking blouse. I like the hip room at the bottom.
I really like this! I am so going to order some pretty fabric now!
What a great looking top! I just printed the pdf and it even looks easy. Pretty + easy? Yes, please.
We are in the middle of winter here, these pretty tops would be lovely layered over long sleeves and then on their own for the warmer weather. So pretty!
Thanks so much for the cute pattern!!
Love that orange! hmm….wonder if I have anything worthy….
great looking top
Cute blouse! I love the variations you show.
Oh! I used to have a shirt in this style that I loved. I was just thinking that I wished I could find another one! I can’t wait to get started on this.
Oh nice! I totally need something to get me out of my rut…this just might be it!
Whoa!! What an awesome blouse – I can’t wait to make one or five of these!! Thanks for sharing!
So pretty!
This top is super cute and is a perfect shape for me.
Just perfect!! Can’t wait to make it. Love the detailed directions. Thank you so much for sharing.
This is really cute! Thanks!
Woohoo!! Finally a tutorial for something I can make for myself!! Thanks for sharing!!
I love this! I’ll make one this week.
This is such a cute top…I’m off to my stash to gather fabrics – my daughter would love this!
This is such a pretty blouse. I can just imagine all the varieties one could whip up.
Thanks for the Tutorial!
I am so scared of making clothes because they have to actually fit in the end. Maybe this is a good place to start.
adorable top! I’ve been looking for options for recycling some polo shirts and this pattern might be just the thing!
One of these days I’m going to be brave and sew myself something to wear. This is adorable!
Thanks so much for the great pattern, I can imagine quite a few shirts and tunics for me this summer!
Mmmmm….I’m still in turtlenecks! But that pattern looks
lovely for some nice warm weather….a wonderful thought !
Could even lengthen it a bit for a summer night gown…
thank you for sharing !
Very cute & summery – I’m off to find fabric for it.
Thanks for the great blouse pattern!! Can’t wait to sew one up for myself!!
I love the bright orange blouse!
I have some great vintage fabric that would be perfect for this top.
Cute top…perfect for summer!
This top is perfect for a hot summer day, and to make for my newly pregnant friend!
How pretty! This could be done in so manydifefernt qwwa ys!
Oh I can’t wait to try this one out!
Adorable! And I was just looking for the perfect pattern to make myself a swim cover-up. I think I just found it! Thank you for sharing.
I’m excited to try this! I love that it has sleeves and nice coverage. I may try shortening it just a bit and perhaps doing elastic thread at the bottom to make it “smock” a bit for a blousy effect…..
Wow this is such a cute top! I think this may be my first attempt at making clothing…
So pretty! I just wish it was more tailored because I’d look terrible in it.
This is so cute! I saw this blouse a while ago, and have been waiting for a tutorial!
Thanks, Amanda! Maybe someday soon…
That does look wonderfully summery! Digging through the stash for the perfect fabric . . .
I’m hoping and praying for a few quiet hours of time to start to sew for myself, finally. This will be a great top to try if I ever get that time. Thank you.
I love this! cant wait to try it out
I have been saving my AMH voile as soon as I heard you were making a pattern – yippee! So excited to get sewing. Thanks for such a great pattern!
I’m starting on this the second I get a spare moment! It’s so cute!
I discovered Amanda’s blog recently and am really excited to try my hand at this top! Looks lovely! Thanks, guys!
So many options. Love this pattern!
This is a really cute blouse!
What a great top! This is on my list of to-dos this summer!
so pretty! Thanks for sharing!
This looks very comfy! Perfect for our desert summer, fall, spring…thanks for the pattern!
Thanks for the pattern! I especially like the “…and go eat a cupcake” part!
I love the idea of matching Kona solids to new collections.
Can you recommend a color for the Papel Bonito Natural ~ Folklorico fabric?
I love Day of the Dead imagery and would love to buy the skulls and something to go with it.
Very cute pattern. I love the refashion. I might have to do some mix and match from several things I have to make one of these.
Can’t wait to try it! But the one inch test square in the PDF is actually 1.25″, not 1″. Is the scale still correct at 100% or should I shrink it so that it comes out to 1″?
Can I make this? I think I can, I think I can…
such a cute pattern! love that the orange is from a moo-moo, lol
I love this blouse! Can’t wait to give it a try.
Pretty top! I’ll have to find some wonderful fabric…
so many options–looks gorgeous in all your selections!
I’ve steered clear of making clothes, but the tops are so flattering that I’m tempted to give it a try!
I’ve been wanting to make a shirt just like this! Thank you for the pattern and tutorial. LOVE it!
Oh, I have just the bedsheet to make this with! Can’t wait!
The first one id gorgeous! I love the fabric combinations!!
Cool pattern- thanks!
that orange one is gorgeous and so summery!!
love this!
Cute top! I wish I was a bit more confident with my sewing skills to try fudging a larger size (but alas, I’m not there yet!)
I love this shirt. It’s adorable.
Very cute–looks like it would even be flattering on my boyish figure!
Thank you for this pattern! It is exactly right for me. Beautifully designed and beautifully presented.
i haven’t sewn actual clothes in a long time, but this post and design has inspired me. i think i will try to make this top – i may evenmake a muslin. i’ll let you know how it turns out. and thanks!
Lovley!!!! I can’t wait to try! I also got your e-mail of the new fabric hoo’s in the forest is AMAZING.. I’m on a search right not to find a cute pattern to make something for my daughter.. I’m thinking Ruffles with the plaid and a cute peasant top with the Trees and strawberries! http://runwithglitter.blogspot.com/
very pretty, and would be a good piece even into fall!
Lovely – thanks so much for the pattern!
Just what I was looking for – thanks for sharing!
So perfect, and so versatile! Thanks a lot:)
What a lovely pattern – thank you! Even though it’s winter here it’s actually the perfect time to get stuck in with a project like this so it’s all ready when summer arrives.
This is just what I need! I love the idea of embroidering some plain white cotton, I just might have to give that a try. Thanks for sharing the pattern!
What a fun and funky top. Love it.
This is sooo timely! I just bought some gorgeous gauzy fabric but had no pattern for it. The top is just perfect!
Very cute! I am a complete beginner with garments, and your pattern instructions are very clear! I’m tempted, but not sure the cut will flatter me. Maybe with a very drapey fabric.
Very cute blouse and wow ~ what an awesome pdf you created for us too. That’s wonderful. Now to find someone skinny that can wear this. LOL Kidding …… I might try to make one of these for my son’s GF or my other son’s fiancee if I can figure out how I’d alter to make this for an almost 7 month pregnant belly.
Of course, I can make one for her after our new grandbaby comes along too.
Thank you so much for such a wonderful tutorial and cute blouse.
I love this darling pattern, I am an extra large, but I know I could fudge on this and make it fit. all the examples were great, especially the bright orange!!
Cute top! Thanks for sharing the pattern with us.
Now I know what to do with that wonderously colored ‘hippie dress’ I got at a thrift store. Thank you!
Thanks for the PDF. You’re right. It is a pretty blouse.
Beautiful! Thanks so much!
So cute! I’ve been thinking I needed something soft and comfortable this summer. I’m so tired of knit shirts and t-shirts.
This is a lovely summer top ! Hope to make one for myself real soon. Thanks for the free PDF pattern and tutorial.
I love this blouse! So can’t wait to make it!
Thanks for the wonderful pattern and tutorial, I can hardly wait to adjust it onto a shirt for my daughter.
I love this top! It’s a perfect beginning maternity top, too! You know, when you’re not really showing but just feel super bloated. Awesome!
Love this! Downloaded and looking for fabric now!
With a long torso and short stubble legs this design is perfect for me.. Plus i can use up some leftover fabric i have laying around.Thanks.
Cute and comfy looking top!
How wonderful! Another pretty blouse pattern to my summer sewing-to-do list. Thank you so much for all the inspiration.
such a cute top! thanks for the tutorial!
Thank you! Great top.
Great summer top. Tempted to make one this weekend to deal with the heat.
I will definitely be trying this top.
Great pattern! Can’t wait to try it!
I rarely sew for myself, but I think I might give this a go!
This looks great. I LOVE this pattern.
We’ve been talking about it on DSD (diaper sewing divas – in the hot seamstress mamas forum). Can’t wait to sew it up! Thanks for sharing.
Lovely dresses
Bye
Susanne
I’m just starting to feel brave enough to make garments for myself again. This looks like a great place to start!
I wish it were summer here so I could wear this top. Oh well I guess I have 4 months to get it made before it is how enough again.
BRRRR!
Ooh, with all these fun clothes patterns popping up, I’m gooooing to give it a shot sometime…!
Pretty! But I think this style only works for people with narrow hips…
I am so excited to try this! I never so for myself!
Love the repurposed muumuu!!!
Very sweet. This is a great pattern for my first attempt at clothes!
This top looks so comfy!
I’ve been so frustrated with the selection of tops at the stores (for prices I’d be willing to spend!) This pattern is PERFECT! exactly what I’ve been looking for!
what a cute top
What a sweet blouse. I’ll add it to my ever growing list of summer sewing projects!
Ooh that is pretty!
I love versatile patterns and this looks great for summer! Thanks, so much!
I just might be inspired to sew for myself again after more than 30 years away from it! Thanks for sharing your project.
Fun! Thanks for the lovely pattern!
This top is adorable! I love the fabric choices in the first version looks so bohemian and comfy. I’m gonna check my stash and see what I have to hand that I could use. Thanks for the pattern!
Very pretty! I also can’t wait to make one. I have the perfect fabric to whip up a nice summer top!!
Such a comfy looking top!
I really like this pattern. Thanks. I will have to try it for myself.
This looks comfy and cool, perfect for summer!
I might have to try this
It’s a very pretty top. Looks great in the orange.
What a lovely blouse! I think I need to make one. And I might downsize it to make one for my five year old as well!
Amanda!! You rock. I totally need to make one of these. Every summer I tell myself I am going to make some cute summer tops (and try to bust through my ridiculous fabric stash). Okay, this is the year I am doing it!
Super cute!
Thank you for sharing this pattern! I cannot wait to get one made!
I LOVE this!
Looks lovely and comfortable
I love the concept of this top and the flattering (to moms!) shape
So cute! I can’t wait to make one!
thanks for the great pattern!
This is a very cute pattern.
This top is so cute! I even have some fabric I’ve been hoarding… But I was supposed to be plowing through summer reading this week, not sewing!!
Thank you so much for sharing.
This is a really cute pattern–I hope I can try it out sometime soon. Thanks.
Ho, hello new summer favorite, I hope to have enough time to sew one or two of you very soon…
Love the upcycled orange mumu…looks fabulous!!
I cant seem to get the pattern to print correctly… I have scaled it down and got the test square at one inch…. but half of the pages are printing much smaller scale…. how do I get them to match up?
I think I got it!! For some reason it was printing some of them smaller than others and cutting off some of it. But I played with it enough and I think I got it!! Thank you very much for such a pretty pattern! Can’t wait to make me a new summer top!!!
Rachel
Great pattern! I like how you’ve taken trouble spots into consideration… I’m sure I’ll be trying this soon.
popped in from the modern marigold. What a darling bouse!
Very cute pattern! Now that the weather’s finally warming up, it’s time to abandon the long sleeves!
this looks great! I’ll definitely try it out.
This is a fantastic pattern that appeals to ALL ages and body types. Simply by varying the fabric and combinations it will go with any style that you want to rock!
Great pattern! I’ve been looking forward to this one
thanks SMS and Amanda
Brilliant! Reminds me of a pattern I attempted in home ec in the early 70s. Love the adaptable style.
Downloaded the pattern. Will love to try it..
Thanks…
I have recently gone back to my sewing machine and I have being looking for a top like this to make for the summer. This is spot on!! I shall be making loads of them in as many colours as I can!! It is such a falttering style for women of all shapes and sizes!! Well done Amanda and SMS:-)
love love love the top.a good reason to take out my sewing machine from under the bed.
Love this pattern! I’m taking my laptop to the printer as we speak. Just filled up the printer cartridges yesterday so I can print out more patterns and tutorials!!!
So cute–can’t wait to make it! Thanks for the free pattern.
I wonder if this will work for a large bust. It looks rather comfortable.
I have the same problem as Kelly did on 6/13. The one inch test square in the PDF is printing at 1.25″, not 1″. Is the scale correct at 100% or do I need to shrink it so that it comes out to 1″? I’ve made tons of pdf patterns before and never encountered this. Thanks so much.
opps should have said Kerry on 6/13
Thanks for the great pattern.
I’ve been on a top sewing binge lately, so I sure do appreciate this lovely pattern! Thanks!
Love it! Going to be my first summer sew.
Thank for the pattern!
This one is definitely top of the list to make! Super cute!
Now that is something I would wear! Lovely.
Downloaded it, put it together, cut it out as a nightgown. When I saw that seam allowance was 1/4 inch, I enlarged it, thinking I’d have trouble sticking to the smaller seam width. Not a problem. My nightgown, a UFO for so long that the original pattern disintegrated, is conplete except for the hem. This is a wonderful pattern.
Aw, man, this is so cute and would look soooo awful on me. I hate when I see cute free patterns like this and get all excited until I realize that I would hate it on me no matter how beautiful it was sewn.