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Butterfly Blouse Design and Other Cut-out Backs

A butterfly blouse design gives an open, airy back while a centre band keeps it secure. This page brings together butterfly saree blouse design ideas with other cut-out backs: keyholes, triangles, diamonds, hearts, stars and criss cross straps.

Cut-outs are small, so fit matters. Each picture has a note on size, facing and support. If you love ties, see our dori blouse design page, and for bows see the bow blouse design page.

Butterfly Blouse Design Back Side

In a butterfly back, two curved openings sit side by side like wings, with a band or dori as the body in the middle. This butterfly cut blouse design looks open but stays secure.

Butterfly blouse design back side in magenta silk with two wing cut-outs and a centre dori
  • Art silk
  • Party

Two rounded wing openings meet at a centre band tied with a dori. A new butterfly blouse design that suits a light silk or georgette saree.

Tailor note: Each wing about 4 inches wide; centre band 1 inch; padding and a strong dori are a must.

Butterfly back blouse design in black cotton with mirror work around the wings
  • Cotton
  • Navratri

Small mirrors around each wing make this butterfly back blouse design perfect for Navratri and garba nights.

Tailor note: Wings about 3.5 inches; mirrors in a single row around each edge; button at the nape.

Ruffle butterfly sleeve blouse design in peach organza with a soft layered flutter
  • Organza
  • Wedding guest

Butterfly sleeves are wide and flutter like wings. The ruffle butterfly sleeve blouse design softens strong shoulders and looks pretty in organza.

Tailor note: Cut the sleeve as a half circle; two layers of ruffle; roll hem the edges.

Keyhole Blouse Design and Window Backs

A keyhole is a small opening below the neck. It is the most modest cut-out, so it suits office, puja and family functions. For more back shapes see our blouse back neck design page.

Key hole blouse design with a teardrop opening on a navy silk back
  • Pure silk
  • Festive

A simple teardrop keyhole with one button at the top. Works with any silk saree and needs no padding.

Tailor note: Keyhole about 4 inches long; face with self silk; one loop button at the nape.

Window blouse design in mustard cotton silk with a square cut-out and piping
  • Cotton silk
  • Office

A square window is a modern twist on the round keyhole. Clean edges look neat in a firm fabric like cotton silk.

Tailor note: Square window about 3 inches; mitre the facing corners; contrast piping.

Teal boat neck blouse front with a small keyhole and button closure
  • Raw silk
  • Party

A small keyhole on a boat neck front adds interest without any extra depth. Lovely with a printed chiffon saree.

Tailor note: Front keyhole about 2.5 inches; hook and loop at the top; side zip.

Triangle and Diamond Blouse Design

Geometric cut-outs feel modern and sharp. A modern triangle blouse design or a diamond cut looks best in firm fabrics that keep the points crisp.

Triangle back blouse design in wine silk with an inverted triangle cut-out
  • Raw silk
  • Party

An upside down triangle with the point facing down. The triangle back blouse design makes the waist look slimmer.

Tailor note: Triangle about 5 inches tall; stay-stitch the point; padding recommended.

Diamond blouse design with a diamond cut-out on a bottle green back and latkan
  • Pure silk
  • Wedding guest

A single diamond shape in the centre of the back with a latkan at the lower point. Simple and very elegant with a red saree.

Tailor note: Diamond about 4 inches tall; latkan hangs from the bottom point; button at nape.

Modern triangle blouse design front with a triangle panel in white and gold
  • Cotton silk
  • Festive

A triangle panel in gold brocade on a white front. Modern and festive at the same time.

Tailor note: Triangle panel at the centre front from neck to about 4 inches below; hooks at front.

Criss Cross Blouse Design Back

Criss cross straps or dori across an open back give support and look playful. It is a classy alternative to a fully backless blouse design.

Criss cross blouse design back in red with three crossing fabric straps
  • Raw silk
  • Party

Three fabric straps cross over an open back. They hold the blouse in place better than one dori.

Tailor note: Straps 1 inch wide, cut on the straight grain; back depth about 10 inches with padding.

Yellow blouse with criss cross dori lacing through loops on the back
  • Cotton silk
  • Haldi or mehendi

A thin dori laced through loops like a shoe. You can tighten or loosen the fit easily.

Tailor note: Six loops each side; dori about 2 metres; back depth about 9 inches.

Black blouse with criss cross wrap front and cap sleeves on a dress form
  • Georgette
  • Party

The front panels cross over like a wrap, making a soft V. Elegant with a sequin or net saree.

Tailor note: Lined georgette; wrap panels overlap 3 inches; hidden hooks at the side.

Love Heart Blouse Design and Star Neck

Heart and star shapes are fun and a little romantic. Keep them small and neat so they look classy.

Love heart blouse design with a heart cut-out on a pink silk back
  • Pure silk
  • Festive

A small heart cut-out below the neck. Sweet for engagements, anniversaries and Karwa Chauth.

Tailor note: Heart about 3 inches wide; face with self fabric; cut paper template first.

Heart neck blouse design front in maroon with a deep sweetheart curve
  • Velvet
  • Wedding guest

The front neck has two curves that form a heart top. It looks graceful with a heavy silk saree.

Tailor note: Front depth about 6.5 inches; centre dip 1 inch; padding for a clean shape.

Star neck blouse design with a five point star shaped back neck and sequin edge
  • Georgette
  • Party

The back neck is cut like a star with short points. A star neck blouse design is a bold party pick for a plain saree.

Tailor note: Star points about 1.5 inches; sequin piping on edges; firm lining.

How to Brief Your Tailor for a Cut-out Back

  1. Draw the shape on paper at full size and pin it to your old blouse.
  2. Ask for facing in self fabric, never just a turned edge.
  3. Stay-stitch sharp points like triangles and stars before cutting.
  4. Add padding for any back deeper than about 9 inches.
  5. Ask for a trial fitting before final stitching.

Which Cut-out Suits Which Saree

Cut-outBest fabricBest saree
ButterflySilk, georgetteLight party sarees
KeyholeAny fabricSilk, cotton, office
Triangle, diamondRaw silk, cotton silkPlain or tissue
Heart, starSilk, velvetFestive, party
Criss crossRaw silk, georgetteSequin, net

Comfort and Care for Cut-out Blouses

Any butterfly design blouse or open back moves with you, so test it before the function. Sit, lift your arms and bend forward in the trial. If the wings gape, ask the tailor to take in the centre band by half an inch.

Hand wash cut-out blouses inside out so the facings do not fray. Store them folded with tissue paper in the openings so the shape stays crisp.

Questions women ask

What is a butterfly blouse design?

It is a back with two curved openings that look like wings, joined by a centre band or dori. It shows a little skin while keeping the blouse firmly in place.

What are ruffle butterfly sleeves?

They are wide flutter sleeves that flare out from the shoulder in one or two ruffle layers. Organza and georgette hold the shape best.

Is a keyhole blouse design good for office?

Yes. A small keyhole of about 3 to 4 inches on a closed back is modest and neat. Choose cotton silk or soft silk.

Does a criss cross blouse design need padding?

Usually yes, because the back is open and the straps are thin. Padding gives a clean shape and you will not need inner wear straps.

How big should a heart cut-out be?

About 3 inches wide is a good size. Bigger hearts lose their shape. Always cut a paper template first.

Which fabric is best for a diamond or triangle cut-out?

Firm fabrics like raw silk, cotton silk or velvet keep the points sharp. Soft georgette needs a firm lining.

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