This is my favorite top to sew as a top for the pajama pants. It can make a great top you can wear outside as well if you make it in fancy cloth. I had some lovely owl-printed soft cotton fabric just right for a pajama top. And lovely trim to match it.
The lace trim piece with scalloped edge framing the neckline
Step 1
Cut out 4 pieces of pattern from the fabric – two bodice pieces and two shoulder straps as per the picture given below.
Fold the shoulder strap pieces by the middle so that you get a 5″ wide piece. Because of this fold you will get a double layered shoulder strap with the neat folded edge near your neck. Press the fold in place with an iron
I also cut out the 1 inch lace trim- 2 pieces to the length of bust round /2 + 4 inches
Step 2
The below given picture is the stitching sequence for the top.
Join the shoulder straps to the lace trim so that there is a 7 inch gap in between ; Do the same for the back as well
Step 3
Join the shoulder straps and lace piece to the main bodice pieces ( back and front) .
When stitching the lace trim as my lace trim has a scalloped edge I pressed the top edge 1/2 inch inside and pushed the edge under the lace trim and top stitched the lace trim to the bodice ; if your lace has a straight edge you can keep them rightsides together and join.
See how the seam allowance is not visible through the lace trim ; that is because I pressed the top edge by 1/2 inch and top stitched.
Step 4
Cut the armhole as well as the side shape as per the diagram.Mark A-C (armhole depth) as per the table given below. You can also reduce the width of the strap given in the pattern below. A strap width of 3 inch would be ideal.
You can skip the waist shape altogether if you want a loose top.
Step 5
Bias bind the armhole with a bias tape
Bias binding done.
Step 6. Join the sides and finish the hem with a turned under edge. If you really want sleeves you can add any of the easy sleeves in this post.
Related post: Another easy to sew strappy top : How to sew a simple summer top
Related posts : Sewing tips for pleats; Clothes patterns (free) ; Free dress sewing patterns for kids;; How to sew easy top for pants and jeans.; How to turn a shirt into a topÂ
Sewing tutorial for a girly top with pleated ruffles
This is a simple tutorial to sew a ruffle bottom sleeveless top with spaghetti straps.
Measure your bust round. Divide this by 2. Add 3 inches to this. Take this as ‘A’
To sew this simple top, you need to cut out a yoke portion of 2 or 3 inches length and the above measure ‘A’ as width for the top part
and for the bottom part cut 2 times the above yoke width (ie double the width of the yoke) – the extra is for pleating. Length should be as per your requirement.
Cut out another set for the back as well.
Pleat the bottom part. Make knife pleats to the left. Pin in place and then stitch across the top to keep the pleats in place. Stitch along the edge of each pleat till the bottom edge leaving some area – this will form the ruffles.
RELATED POST: How to make knife pleats
Make sure that you back stitch where you stop stitching the pleat. The pleats are stitched till just after your natural waist – this gives a small flair just after your waist.
Join the pleated part to the yoke part
Cut out the top pattern from this. A simple bodice pattern can be used to make the top part.
Finish the top edge. I am using a lining – this can be used to finish the top edge. Cut the lining as a replica of the top piece. You have to finish the hem of your lining piece before hand. Keep it on the top (right sides together) and sew the top edge in place with a 1/2 inch allowance. Clip the seam allowance. Turn the lining to the inside. Top stitch along the top edge.
Do the same thing for the back piece also. So that you have front and back pieces, both lined.
Keep the front and back together (rightsides to the inside )and sew the side seams. Bring the top rightside out.It will look like the picture below.
Cut out 60 inch of bias tape – 2 pieces – these are for making straps.
Join the straps in place along the armhole and then sew the rest of the straps. That is it – you have an easy top with lots of frills at the bottom edge
