I love the resurgence of the kitty bow blouse style – a classic from the 1970s and 1980s. I looked through various pattern options but for most of them the sleeves were too puffy or the bow too big and I just couldn’t find something that I liked. Then I found this great Pussy Bow Blouse pattern from Sew Over It.
The fabric is a beautiful lightweight printed cotton that I got in France last year with the idea to make a summer dress but it leapt up and said “Use me for the Pussy blouse!”.
I chose the lower neck option and the pattern came together easily with some simple solutions to cuffs and neck tie installation. The one design element I didn’t really understand was the seam down the front of the shirt. Maybe it’s to allow for a neat folded seam at the neck tie interface but my personal feeling is that you could do away with the centre seam and use a little piece of bias binding to neaten the gap between the two sides of the bow. Nevertheless, I followed the pattern but I think if I made it again, I would try it my way.
The shirt is easy to wear tucked in or out. The only closures are the buttons at the cuffs so it’s super simple. And I LOVE the green fabric.
Pattern: Pussy Bow Blouse from Sew Over It
Fabric: Lightweight green printed cotton
Do it again: I might try the higher neck version in a bright solid colour for next winter. If I do, I will see if I can avoid the seam down the front and maybe make it a bit longer with more shape at the hemline.
Dodgy Zebra 