Sewing A Layered Top

In the previous blog I showed you how to lay out a pattern for a layered top. We then cut the pattern from fabric and I left off promising to show you how to sew the top. I do exactly that in today's blog. This top is slightly challenging  and it is very important to pay close attention to certain aspects, but I'll point these out as we proceed.

This is the pattern we are making today.

I folded a rolled hem along the outer edge of the top front panel. I then pinned this in place. Roll (double fold) the hem to the wrong side of the fabric.

Set your machine to a lower speed (if possible) and sew the hem. Do this with both panels.

Lay the top panels on the front of the top. Line the panel on the right up at the neck, sleeve and side seam. Pin in place. The top panel's wrong side should face the bottom panel's right side.

Now lay the remaining panel on the top exactly the same as the previous one. Pin in place.

The bottom panel will be slightly longer at the hem as its hem has not been put in yet.

Sew at 1 cm all along the side seams, through the sleeve opening, neck opening, down the other sleeve opening and down the other side seam. This step fixes the two layers together and will make all the subsequent steps much easier to sew.

Lay the back panels on top of each other with the right sides facing. Line them up at the center back seam and pin.

Sew the center back seam at 1,5 cm.

Spread the back panel open with the right side facing up. Lay the front panel(s) down on top of it with the wrong side facing up. This means the right sides of the panels should be facing each other. Line them up at the side seams and pin up to the sleeve openings.

Sew both the side seams at 1,5 cm.

Fold a rolled hem all along the bottom of the top. Pin in place.

Sew the rolled hem.

Fold the sleeves over with the right sides inside. Pin at the seams.

Sew along the seams at 1,5 cm.

Turn the sleeves right sides out. Turn the top right side in. The long points are the backs of the sleeves. Line them up so that they lie correctly lined up along the top.

Tuck the first sleeve inside the top. Pin the sleeve seam to the side seam of the top.

Pin the front of the sleeve to the front of the top.

Pin the back of the sleeve to the back of the top.

Sew the sleeve to the top at 1,5 cm seam allowance.

Now that one sleeve has been attached the pattern should start to make more sense. Pin and sew the second sleeve exactly the same way as the first.

Fold the neck band double and pin at the rounded side, which is the center back seam. The right sides should be facing.

Sew the center back seam at 1,5 cm.

Fold the neck band in half. The wrong sides should be on the inside of the neck band.

Line the center back of the neck band up with the center back of the top. Pin.

Pin the neck band all around the neck opening.

Sew at 1,5 cm seam allowance all around the neck opening.

Fit the top and pin the sleeve hems at the required length.

Sew the hems at the sleeves.

A tad intricate to construct, but easy to sew, this top is an asset to any wardrobe.

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy her books here: You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.

Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
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