Search This Blog

Translate

Tuesday, October 28, 2025

How to Draft a Raglan Style Top






The raglan-style top is one of the easiest designs to draft and sew. It serves as the foundation for peasant-style tops and is created using a basic blouse pattern as the starting point.

 

A raglan sleeve starts right at the neckline and extends diagonally down to the armhole, creating a smooth, slanted seam that gives the top its distinctive look and comfortable fit.


Click the link below to browse all the free PDF sewing patterns for women:



Click the link below to browse all the free PDF sewing patterns for kids:


Click the link below to see the complete list of Free PDF Sewing Patterns for 18-Inch Dolls:


Pattern draft:

To draft your raglan top pattern, you’ll need the following measurements:

* Length of the top

* Bust circumference

* Shoulder width (measured from one shoulder edge to the other)

* Neck depth (front and back)

* Armhole depth


Front:







A to B = Length of the top (as per your preference)
A to C = Neck depth
A to D = 1/8 bust + 2.5 inches (or scye depth measurement, i.e., armhole depth measurement or 
1/4 bust - 1)
D to E = 1/4 bust + 0.75-inch ease (ease can be reduced when you use a stretchy fabric to sew this top)
B to F is same as D to E or plus 2 inches for kids' size(4 inches for women's size) if you want flare at the hemline
A to G = Half of the shoulder measurement
G to H = Blouse's shoulder width you prefer
(or A to H = bust/12 + 0.25 inch or the measurement from the center of the neck to where you want your blouse's neckline to sit on the shoulder at neck.) 
G to I = 1 inch (reduce this to 0.50 inch to 0.75 inch for kids' sizes)
IE is the armhole curve of the basic bodice, which is not required here.
Shape the front neckline HC.
Connect A and E. Mark point J where the line AE meets the neckline.
Draw a vertical line from I which meets the line DE at point K.
Mark point L 1 inch from K 
(for women's blouses) (this could be 1/2 inch for kids under 8 years and 3/4 inch for kids 9 to 12 years). Shape ELJ.


AB is where you keep the fold in the fabric when you cut the front piece.



Back:










Same as front except for the following changes:

A to C represents the back neck depth, which is typically 1 inch.

 

If you’re working with a knit (stretch) fabric, this depth is usually sufficient, as the stretch will allow the top to slip comfortably over your head.

 

However, if you’re using a non-stretch (woven or non-woven) fabric, it’s important to add a small slit or opening at the center back. This will make it easier to put on and take off the top without straining the neckline.

 

Tip: You can finish the slit with a button loop or hook-and-eye closure for a neat and functional finish.


Mark point L 1.5 inch from K (for women's blouses) (this could be 3/4 inch for kids under 8 years and 1 inch for kids 9 to 12 years). Shape ELJ.

AB is where you keep the fold on the fabric when you cut the back piece.






Sleeve:









A to B = 1/8 bust + 2.5 inches (or 1/4 bust - 1 or scye depth, i.e., armhole depth)
A to C = Neck depth
A to O = Half of the shoulder measurement
A to D = A to G in the front blouse draft
B to F = 1/4 bust + 0.75-inch ease (the same ease you kept for the blouse front) 
Draw a vertical line from O which meets BF at point P.
Connect A and F. Mark point Q where the line AF meets the neckline.
Mark point G where lines OP and AF cross.
G to I = 1 inch (this could be 1/2 inch for kids under 8 years and 3/4 inch for kids 9 to 12 years)
G to H = 1.5 inch (this could be 3/4 inch for kids under 8 years 
and 1 inch for kids 9 to 12 years)
Shape sleeve front armhole FHQ and back armhole FIQ.
D to L = Length of the sleeve from D plus 2 to 3 inches for fullness at the arm round of the puffed sleeve.
AL = BE
Connect L and E.



L to N = Half sleeve round + 0.5 inch ease (you can reduce ease if you are using a knit fabric)
Join F and N.
N to M = 0.75 inch
Join L and M with a curved line.

AL is where you keep the fold in the fabric when you cut the sleeve pieces.








Add seam and hem allowances:

For blouse front and back:

3/8 inch for the armhole.
3/4 inch for the neckline 
1/2 inch or 1 inch on the sides.
3/4 inch for the blouse bottom hemline

For sleeves:

3/8 inch for the sleeve cap curve.
1/2 inch or 1 inch for the sides.
3/4 inch at the sleeve hemline.
1/2 inch for the neckline (The sleeves start from the neckline, so they make part of the neckline.)

Mkae sure to cut the front, back, and sleeve pattern pieces on fold.

I have posted a free PDF sewing pattern for kids' peasant blouse for sizes 1 year to 12 years at the link below:


Click this link for the free PDF sewing pattern for Kids' peasant blouse for sizes 1 year to 12 years.







How to Sew?

Step 1: Cut out the front, back, and sleeve pattern pieces.




Step 2: Attach the sleeves with the front and back bodices:

With right sides facing, attach the sleeves to the front and back bodices.


Step 3: Join the sides.








Step 4. Finish the neckline and sleeve hemline by attaching a bias tape to them. And then attach the sleeves to the armhole round.

















Step 5. Sew the side seams.

Step 6. Hem the bottom of the blouse.

Fold down the hemline to the wrong side by 1/4 first, and again by 1/2 inch and sew along the folded edge. 



That's it! Done.

Please leave your comments and questions in the comments section under this post. I will be happy to answer.



You can find lots of free PDF printable sewing patterns on this page on my blog. You can download and use them to create your own clothes.

You can also click the Free Sewing Patterns Page at the top of this blog page (under the blog title) to find more free sewing patterns.




Click the below links to browse through all the pattern drafting and sewing tutorials on my blog.



Happy Sewing!
--Flora