We love

STYLE

PEACHY
keen
This swingy tunic top
is easy to wear and
great to practise a
button-front closure
Project LAUREN ELBERT Sadi & Sam

Shopping list
Nani Iro Lei Nani Birds Humming double gauze,
£22 per metre www.drapersdaughter.com

92 www.lovesewingmag.co.uk
 A B

LEFT PLACKET SEW LINE

RIGHT PLACKET SEW LINE

LAYPLAN:
60"-wide fabric 45"-wide fabric

SIZING:
BUST WAIST HIPS
XS 33-34" 25-26" 35-36"
S 35-36" 27-28" 37-38"
M 37-38" 29-30" 39-40"
L 391/2-41" 311/2-33" 411/2-43"
XL 43-45" 35-37" 45-47"

2 Mark the centre front Make sure to move the triangle lower three sides of the
MATERIALS & TOOLS: placket line, then mark flap out of the way. left placket. (See Pic D.)
• 17/8 yard 40”-wide fabric or matching parallel lines ½” on 7 Edge-stitch the other Press the triangle flap down
1½ yard 60”-wide fabric each side and join across the folded edge of the right to the face side of fabric and
• 4 buttons approximately ½” bottom. These will be referred placket. (See Pic B.) move the right placket to
• ½ yard lightweight interfacing to as the left and right placket 8 Make sure the cover it.

Top tip
• 1 yard 1”-wide single fold sew lines. (See Pic A.) buttonholes are Fold the left
bias tape (shop bought or 3 Cut down the centre marked on placket in half
self made) placket line, stopping ½” from the face side lengthwise so
• air-erasable fabric marker the end, and cut diagonally of the left it encloses
• templates downloaded from into the corners. This will placket. Try heavy-duty canvas or the seam
www.lovesewingmag.co.uk create a triangle flap. 9 Match twill version. We know it allowance.
4 On the right placket piece the left sounds stiff, but trust Fold the
NOTES: press the long seam allowance sew line us; this top will be a left placket
Finish the raw edges with a machine edges over by 3/8”, then press to the left go-to favourite in over the right
zigzag stitch or overlocker entire piece in half lengthwise. placket seam placket, making
multiple fabric
Use a 1.5cm seam allowance unless 5 Sandwich the right placket line. Both sure all seam
otherwise stated sew line with the placket. Make pieces should be allowance (including
sure the folded edges extend RS up. Note the seam the triangle flap) is tucked
HOW TO MAKE: 1/8“ over the sew line and the allowance of the placket is 3/8” under, and pin in place.
1 Stay-stitch the neckline neckline edge matches. while the sew line is ½”. Sew in Starting 1“ from the bottom
3/4” from edge on the front 6 Edge-stitch along the right place, stopping at the centre on the left placket sew line,
and ½“ from the edge on the placket edge, catching the front mark. (See Pic C.) top-stitch outward toward
yoke (these are intentionally other folded edge below and Press over the seam the centre left placket edge
different measurements). stopping at the bottom mark. allowance (which is 3/8”) on the and then edge-stitch down,

www.lovesewingmag.co.uk 93
 over and up the folded edge notches. Sew, trim then clip
of the left placket in a box. the seam allowance to ease
Pull the right placket out of the seam. (See Pic F.)
the way after you’ve sewn the Press the allowance toward
1“ stitching box. The right and the body, then edge-stitch 1/16”
left placket pieces should be from the seam.
attached only in this box. (See Arrange the front and back
Pic E.) bodice RST and pin each side
Fold the right placket out seam and sleeve. Make sure
of the way, and edge-stitch that the underarm seam
along the centre fold lines match up. Sew in a
of the left placket. single motion.
The buttonholes should Trim off the 5/8”
already be marked, ready seam allowance around
for you to sew and then the neckline.
cut open. Stitch on the Unfold the bias tape and
buttons into position on the pin the RS to the neckline on
opposite side. the WS of the top. Leave a few
Line up and pin the front inches overhanging on each
and yoke shoulder seams side of the placket. (See Pic G.)
RST, and then sew. Stitch along the folded
Press the seam allowance edge, then turn the bias to
to the back and top-stitch a the RS, tucking under the
few mm away from seam. overhang to neaten the end.
On the back pattern Pin the bias so it covers the
piece, sew a long gathering stitch line.
stitch between the two back Edge-stitch through all
notches. Match the yoke and layers to secure the bias.
back RST. Adjust the gathers Fold the shirt hem up ¼”
to fit and sew in place. then fold up again 3/8“. Pin in
Press the seam allowance place, press flat and then sew.
up and top-stitch a few mm Fold the sleeve hem up
away from the seam. 5/8” then fold up again using
Gently ease the sleeve the fold line. Pin in place,
head so the allowance curves press flat and then sew along
but without visible gathers. the edge. Next fold the sleeve
We will sew the sleeve in hem up 1¼” to the RS of your
the flat before sewing up the sleeve and tack down at the
side seams. Pin the sleeves side seam. Press your top
in place RST, matching the to finish!

F G

Lauren Elbert
Lauren is the designer behind SewLoft patterns
for stylish womenswear. Her new launch Sadi
& Sam is a kids' pattern company that focuses
on easy-to-sew kidswear in wovens and knits!
Find out more at www.sadiandsam.com

94 www.lovesewingmag.co.uk