Easy 5-Bandana Blouse - Make It in Under 1 Hour for Less Than $10

This cool, bright, and breezy blouse is so easy, even beginning sewers will have great results. Comfortable and airy, it looks great with jeans or leggings for a lovely -- and unique -- summer look.


The bandanas can be any colors you choose. One will be the yoke, two will be the sleeves, and two will be the front and back. Then choose your thread, either matching your color scheme or contrasting for a fun touch. I love pink and I love polka-dots, so when I found these, I just had to use them for both the sleeves and the body. In fact, my daughter has asked for a Bandana Blouse made with all pink polka-dot bandanas!


Bandana Blouses bring back pleasant memories. When I was in high school, we had sewing parties where we'd all make Bandana Blouses; the next day, we'd all wear them and have a good laugh. [Ah, the memories of swapping colors and jostling for the sewing machine!] Although the blouses were the same, each Bandana Blouse was different -- a personal reflection of the person who made it. Sometimes we'd add ribbons, lace, buttons or bows for extra fun.

What you'll need:
Sewing machine, iron, ruler, marking pen, scissors, pins, 5 bandanas (about 22 inches square), thread.

Yes, there's an extra object in the photo. I ask you to forgive me, as this is my very first Instructable.

Cut around the cutting line (inner box) and remove the square.

Carefully snip each inner corner just up to the fold line, creating flaps. Be sure not to clip past the line.

With the wrong side up, flip each flap along the folding line.

If you’re lucky enough to own an ironing board, use that instead of a towel.

With right sides together, pin the sleeve bandanas at opposite ends of the yoke. On the other two ends, pin the front and back bandanas.

Sew each of the four bandanas onto the yoke, about ½-inch from the edges.

Fold over, right sides together, so the edges of the sleeves meet at the wrist. Pin from the wrist to the bottom of the blouse, and sew in one long seam, ½-inch from the edges. Repeat on the other side. Turn right side out and enjoy wearing your new blouse!