Martha Blouse PDF pattern
The Martha blouse is an easy shell top with striking contrast details, perfect for warmer weather but equally suited to layering under a jacket or cardigan. Martha is a versatile all-rounder for your wardrobe:
- The neckline is bound with bias tape – choose whether to go for an invisible ‘faced’ binding or use the same contrast bias for the neckline as for the central strip.
- Omit the contrast strip for a great basic shell top!
- Make the contrast strip and neck binding from the main blouse fabric for an elegant, subtle detail on a plain blouse.
** This product is a PDF printable sewing pattern and not the physical garment shown.**
Features
- A loose-fitting sleeveless blouse with contrast strip and a centre back fastening with hook and eye.
- Bias bound armscyes and neckline
- Centre back neckline opening, fastened with hook and eye

Fabric & notions
I’d recommend drapey fabrics such as crepe, rayon/viscose, silks, and soft cottons/linens.
You’ll need:
- Bias binding for the neckline and armscyes (approx 1.5m and with a folded width of approximately ½” – ¾”).
- If you want to make a contrast neckline instead (as shown on our sample), your tape for the neckline should be 1” wide (when single-folded, so 2” wide when unfolded).
- A small hook and eye set for the neckline closure (or you could sew a thread chain and button if you prefer).
Fabric requirements
- Main fabric: 0.75 m (all sizes)
- Contrast strip fabric: 4cm x 60cm (all sizes)
Measurements
* This pattern is from the Pearson and Pope pattern collection (previously a separate brand under pearsonandpope.com) and has not yet been rebranded to ‘Michelle Sews’ or updated with the newer Michelle Sews size range. Please see below for measurement details. *
Body measurements
SIZE | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 |
Bust (“) | 31 | 33 | 35 | 37 | 39 | 41 | 43 |
Waist (“) | 24 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 34 | 36 |
Hips (“) | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 | 44 | 46 |
Bust (cm) | 79 | 84 | 89 | 94 | 99 | 104 | 109 |
Waist (cm) | 61 | 66 | 71 | 76 | 81 | 86 | 91 |
Hips (cm) | 86 | 91 | 96 | 102 | 107 | 112 | 117 |
Finished garment measurements
SIZE | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 |
Bust (“) | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 | 44 |
Waist (“) | 31 | 33 | 35 | 37 | 39 | 41 | 43 |
Hips (“) | 40 | 42 | 44 | 46 | 48 | 50 | 52 |
Bust (cm) | 81 | 86 | 91 | 96 | 101 | 106 | 111 |
Waist (cm) | 79 | 84 | 89 | 94 | 99 | 104 | 109 |
Hips (cm) | 102 | 107 | 112 | 117 | 122 | 127 | 132 |
The pattern testers said…
“I LOVE it! The fit coudn’t be better on me. It was also so easy and quick to sew. I had a new top in a little over an hour!”
“I love the loose shaping of this blouse. It is perfect for hot Florida summers when I don’t want to wear something really oversized, but also don’t want anything sticking to me in the heat.”
“It’s a great wardrobe basic and modification possibilities are plentiful.”
Martha on Instagram
#bmmsewtember Day 15: Look by a Black Pattern Designer. A few years ago, michelle.a.sews allowed me to pattern test her #marthablouse and I thought it was great! Her drafting is very well done. I made two blouse versions (👉 swipe to see them) and hacked it into a dress which was one of my most-worn garments pre-baby. If you are looking for well-drafted patterns to build your wardrobe, definitely check her out! #pearsonandpopepatterns #blackpatterndesigners #workwearstyle #sewcialists #msp_martha
The Martha blouse takes the basic shell top up a gear with striking contrast details. It is perfect for warmer weather, but equally suited to layering under a jacket or cardigan to combat the office A/C. (Martha was originally released under my Pearson and Pope pattern brand, so you may also see it tagged pp_martha). #msp_martha #sewingpattern
@frugalisama’s combination of the #msp_agnes skirt with the #msp_martha top has me like 😍😍😍 – love it!!! Thank you for the lovely feedback, too, Sam!
Do check out Sam’s original post as she also made a lovely matching jacket from the linen!
#Repost @frugalisama with @make_repost
・・・
I made a jacket this weekend (New Look 6351) inspired by last weeks #greatbritishsewingbee2020. Obviously it’s not got the huge shoulder pads of the 80s but very similar otherwise, made from a piece of linen bought at Abakhan last year, which I also made the pencil skirt from that I’m wearing, which is the Agnes pattern by @michellesews_patterns formerly Pearson & Pope.
I noticed earlier this week that she had rebranded & wanted to give her a shout out as this is a beautifully drafted fully lined skirt with some lovely details, including pockets & a zip shield. The top is the Martha, also by @michellesews_patterns & another great well written pattern.
Who else is looking forward to international week on the 🐝 tonight? #gbsb2020 #sewingbee #sewistsofinstagram #sewersofinstagram #memade #sewcialists #handmadewardrobe #sewingismysuperpower #isew #makersmovement #makedontbuy #lovesewing #sewing #sewsewsew #memadeeveryday #sewover50 #sewingchallenge #so50blog #so50reworn #b37w32h40
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