Easy Batwing Blouse DIY Sewing Project

Tools and materials:

• 2 yards of fabric
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Pins
• Elastic band
• Safety pin
• Sewing machine

Fold

The measurements of the fabric you will need are 60 inches by 27 inches. To begin, I folded my fabric in half twice--once lengthwise and once widthwise.

Measure and cut

I measured 3½ inches in an arc from the corner of the folded fabric, and then cut it out to create a neck opening.

In the corner diagonally opposite the neckline, I measured 5 inches along one edge, and 7 inches along the perpendicular edge, and then cut an arc between those two points. 

Cut to size

When I unfolded the fabric, I realized the waistline was too wide. So I measured my waist to figure out how wide I wanted the waistline to be. Then I refolded the fabric and cut a new arch between the arm and the waist with the new measurement.

Pin

I unfolded the fabric once, and pinned the curved edges together, right sides facing.

Cut

Cut a strip of fabric measuring 60 by 9 inches for the necktie.

Fold and pin

I folded the fabric in half, right sides facing, and pinned down the open edges, leaving one short side open.

Sew

Next, I sewed down the curved edges of the top.

Measure and cut

I wrapped an elastic band around my wrist to measure how much elastic I will need for the ends of the sleeves, and cut two pieces.

Fold and sew

I created a fold around the armhole wide enough to pull the elastic through. I sewed it down, leaving a 2-inch wide gap in the stitching.

Insert the elastic

I attached a safety pin to one end of the elastic band and inserted it into the gap I left in the stitching around the sleeve. I guided the pin through the tunnel of fabric, pulling the elastic with it until it came back through the opening. Then I stitched the ends of the elastic band together and closed up the gap.

Hem the bottom

To hem the bottom of the shirt, I folded the bottom edge of the shirt twice inwards and sewed it down.

Sew the necktie

Next, I sewed down the pinned edges of the necktie, making sure to leave an opening on one end of the strip. Then I turned the fabric right side out and sewed the open end closed.

Pin 

I pinned the necktie around the neckline of the shirt, right sides facing, leaving approximately 4 inches of exposed neckline in the front of the shirt.

Sew

Then I sewed the necktie in place.

And this is the final result! It’s chic, it’s feminine, and I absolutely adore it. 

I hope you enjoyed creating this blouse. Let me know what you think of this DIY.