Sew a Sleeveless Top with pleated ruffles :Sewing tutorial

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. 

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

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