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This month’s featured pattern, Cosmo, was inspired by timeless wardrobe staples with a modern twist. We wanted a blouse that balances ease with tailored shaping—perfect for layering or wearing alone. The V-neckline, soft flat lay collar, and semi-fitted silhouette are designed to flatter a range of body types, while gathered sleeves with elastic cuffs and subtle back shaping add delicate detail and comfort. Cosmo is versatile enough to pair with skirts, trousers, or jeans, making it a must-have for year-round wear and a satisfying skill-building project for sewists.
The Cosmo Blouse is a chic pullover top with just the right balance of ease and shaping. Designed with a flattering V-neckline and a soft flat lay collar, Cosmo is semi-fitted through the body with bust darts and gentle elastic at the back waist for a comfortable, tailored feel. Gathered sleeves with elastic hems add a touch of volume and detail, while the center front seam and double-fold hem keep the finish clean and polished. Easy to style tucked into trousers, paired with skirts, or worn loose with jeans, Cosmo is a versatile piece you’ll want to sew in multiples for year-round wear.
The Cosmo Member Bonus brings a touch of whimsy to the original blouse with two delicate ties and a modesty placket at the center front. Keeping the same semi-fitted shape, V-neckline, flat lay collar, bust darts, gathered sleeves, and elastic back waist, this variation adds just the right amount of charm to an already versatile design.
Ilisa is wearing a Cosmo sewn in a rayon challis in a size 2. We added 1 1/4" to the body length, 3/4" to the sleeve length, and increased the shoulder width 3/8". Her measurements are bust: 34" (86.4 cm), waist: 25 1/2" (64.8 cm), hip 39" (99 cm), and she is 5'9" (175.3 cm) tall.
Iman is wearing a Cosmo sewn in cotton shirting in a size 16 from our 12-30 size range. We added 1/2" to the sleeve length and raised the bust dart 3/4". We also reduced the waist and bottom opening 1". Her measurements are bust: 44" (111.8 cm), waist: 36" (91.4 cm), hip 47" (119.4 cm), and she is 5'9" (176.5 cm) tall.
Fabric and Fit
Cosmo works best in light to medium weight woven fabrics that offer a soft drape and gentle structure. Ideal choices include cotton shirting, chambray, linen, linen blends, flannel, lawn, voile, rayon challis, rayon crepe, Tencel, poplin, Tencel twill, and silk crepe.
Look for fabrics with enough body to support the bust darts and flat lay collar, yet soft enough to allow subtle gathers at the sleeves and comfort at the elasticized back waist.
Smooth woven fabrics like shirting, lawn, and chambray give a crisp finish to the collar and placket, while fluid fabrics such as rayon crepe, challis, and silk create a softly flowing silhouette. Consider prints and textures: subtle stripes or plaids emphasize the clean lines and darts, while lightweight solids highlight the delicate sleeve gathers.
Fitting tips:
- Understanding ease will help you pick the right size or sizes. This tutorial will teach you all about design and wearing ease.
- If you want to blend between sizes, use this video tutorial.
- To adjust the shoulder slope, follow this tutorial.
- If you need to adjust the armhole depth, use this tutorial.
- Here are tutorials for small bust adjustments and full bust adjustments.
- Follow this tutorial to lengthen and shorten a sewing pattern.
