SHIRRED TOP
PG 2/3
SHIRRED TOP Size: 8 - 14 MATERIALS: • THE RIVIERA COLLECTION by Liberty Sun Parasol
• Shirring Elastic by BIRCH
25cm
Measure your bust and times this by 1.5 to allow for gathering effect. Then half this amount. It will be the width of each front and back panel. For example with bust 96cm the front and back panel width would be 72cm (96cm x 1.5 /2 = 72cm ) 72cm
x2
Take an empty bobbin and wind the shirring elastic on by hand, being careful not to stretch it as you wind. Practice on the spare piece of fabric. You might need to adjust tension on your sewing machine. TIP: Use walking foot on the machine and longer stitch length (4 - 4.2mm). You can sew as many rows as you like to make your top feel comfortable and fit your own body. The closer the shirred rows the tighter the top.
40 x 5cm x 4 straps
Cut front and back pieces for your top using the top width from above calculation by 25cm height (adjust it if you want it to be longer). With right sides together stitch top and front pieces together along one side. Double fold top and bottom hemline. Press and top stitch leaving approx. 6 cm unstitched on each side.
side seam
Double fold hemline
Double fold hemline © BIRCH CREATIVE, 2022. For personal use only. Pattern not for resale. Items made using this pattern must not be resold.
Start at the open side seam approximately 2cm from the top edge. You will top stitch so the elastic thread is on the wrong side of the fabric. Stitch 7 - 8 shirred lines across the top 2 - 2.5cm apart. Don’t cut thread at the end of the row, just pull a bit and move your needle to the next row. Steam stitched fabric to gather fabric evenly.
PG 3/3
SHIRRED TOP
Sew open side seam with a French hem to hide all elastics. Finish double fold hemlines. Shoulder straps Fold straps in half and stitch along the long edge and top edge. Trim excess fabric and turn them inside out. Press.
Before attaching your straps, try your top on so you can mark with pins where you want the straps to be placed. Stitch shoulder straps in place.
© BIRCH CREATIVE, 2022. For personal use only. Pattern not for resale. Items made using this pattern must not be resold.