Designing The Pleat Neck Blouse

Several years ago I made a sample for the magazine. It was the Gathered Neck Top but instead of using a drawstring to gather the neckline, as detailed in the pattern, I inserted pleats around the neck instead.

Since then I have made several of these tops, each time refining the pleat process and use of bias binding to finish the neck and cuffs.

I kept the back neck pleat free, for a more flattering silhouette. Every time I have worn this top, I have received compliments. This has led to The Pleat Neck Blouse becoming our latest pattern.

It is designed with a raglan sleeve; this lets the pleats fall correctly. The pattern has three sleeve lengths: long, three quarter and short sleeved. Each sleeve length has its own specific number of pleats to create the optimum shape for the finished sleeve.

The Pleat Neck Blouse is not a complicated style to make, care just needs to be taken with marking the exact points for the pleats: chalking a line maybe easier than snips at the pleat notches.

In the autumn and winter months I have made versions in fluid silks or polyester mixes, in summer I favour crisper linens or cottons. The versions shown here are all in linen or cotton to make the most of the pleats.

This blouse has become my go-to-top to wear with every style of skirt or trouser; I like the femininity of the style without being too fussy and frilly. The fixed pleats always seem to flatter.