Nothing to wear? Here’s the solution – this top is not only super trendy, it can also be sewn in a flash! Follow this sewing lesson to make our Off the Shoulder Top pattern that debuted in our Eclectic Beauty pattern collection from the March 2017 issue of BurdaStyle Magazine. Check out all the great diagrams to help you sew this trendy top.
Refer to the pattern’s store page here for specific fabric yardage and notion requirements. Also remember to add seam allowance (you can either add to the paper pattern before cutting or to the fabric around the pattern… see below), further info and amounts can be found in the instructions PDF after purchase.
Step 1- CUT PIECES OF MAIN FABRIC
Fold fabric in half widthwise, right side facing in, folding the selvages on each side back on them-selves. Pin paper pattern pieces to the fabric as shown in the cutting layout, placing pattern pieces 1 and 2 on the fabric fold. Make sure that the lower edges of pattern pieces 1, 2, and 3 lie on the same pattern stripe. With a ruler and tailor’s chalk, mark the seam allowances, as follows: 1.5 cm (5/8') at all seams and edges. Draw the measured pieces (a) directly on the fabric, with tailor’s chalk. Cut out all fabric pieces.
Step 2- TRANSFER PATTERN MARKINGS TO THE FABRIC
On all fabric pieces, use dressmaker’s carbon paper and a tracing wheel to transfer the pattern outlines (seam and hem lines) and all other pattern markings to the wrong side of the fabric. Follow the instruc-tions included with the carbon paper.
Step 3- SIDE SEAMS
Lay front piece on back piece, right sides facing. Pin side seams, matching seam numbers (1) and making sure that the stripes match. Insert the straight pins at right angles to the seam. You can stitch carefully over the pins without breaking your machine’s needle. At each seam, ? nish the edges of the allowances together and press the allowances toward the back.
Step 4- SLEEVE SEAMS
Fold each sleeve lengthwise, right side facing in. Pin the sleeve seam, matching seam numbers (2). Stitch the sleeve seam as pinned. Finish the edges of the allowances together and press the allowances toward one side.
Step 5- HEM, SLEEVE HEMS
Press the hem allowance to the wrong side, fold the edge under by half the allowance width, and pin the allowance in place. Edgestitch the hem in place. Hem the sleeves in the same manner.
Step 6- ATTACH SLEEVES
Pin each sleeve to armhole edge, right sides facing. The sleeve seam and side seam must match. The seam marks (3) on the sleeve and front piece must match. Stitch the sleeve in place. Trim seam allowances and ? nish edges together. Beginning at each upper edge, press the allowances toward the sleeve, approx. 4 cm (1 5/8') long.
Step 7- NECK BAND
Lay the neck band pieces (a) together, right neck edge of the top, right sides facing, matching the neck band seams to the seam marks on upper sleeve edges. Stitch the neck band in place. Finish edges of seam allowances together. Turn neck band up and press allowances down. With the help of tailor’s chalk and a ruler, draw a line along the centre of the neck band, on the inner side, to mark the middle line of elastic shirring.
Step 8- ATTACH NECK BAND
Pin open neck band edges together to the neck edge of the top, right sides facing, matching the neck band seams to the seam marks on upper sleeve edges. Stitch the neck band in place. Finish edges of seam allowances together. Turn neck band up and press allowances down. With the help of tailor’s chalk and a ruler, draw a line along the centre of the neck band, on the inner side, to mark the middle line of elastic shirring.
Step 9- MIDDLE LINE OF ELASTIC SHIRRING
Lay elastic thread smoothly along the marked chalk line. Stitch over the elastic thread with small zigzag stitches. These stitches should be just wide enough to not catch the elastic thread – otherwise it can not be pulled, to create the shirring. First practice on a scrap of your fabric. Begin and end stitching at one seam. Leave each end of the elastic thread hanging, approx. 10 cm (4') long.
Step 10- REMAINING ELASTIC SHIRRING
Now stitch over two more elastic threads in the same manner, one close to the upper edge of the neck band and one close to the neck band attachment seam. Repeat with two more elastic threads, half way be-tween the centre and upper threads and centre and lower threads, i.e. 5 elastic threads in all.
Step 11- PULL ELASTIC THREADS
Pull the elastic threads to gather the distance from seam to seam to the following width (1 inch = 2.54 cm): size 34: 43 cm, size 36: 45 cm, size 38: 47 cm, size 40: 49 cm, size 42: 51 cm, size 44: 53 cm. Tip: Pull the 5 threads together, from each side to centre front or centre back. In each row, knot ends of elastic threads together.
This top truly is the perfect thing to bring on an island getaway. Pair it with a breezy pair of shorts like these Eyelet Shorts, and of course don’t forget your floppy hat and sandals.
Want more sewing lessons? Check out our last one here on our Bouclé Jacket.
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