PROJECT #20 PLEATED NECK SILK TOP

© 2013 Runway Sewing. All Rights Reserved.

Are you looking for a versatile top that is unique and you can wear on any occasion? Here is a lovely comfortable and sexy top you can wear casually over jeans or wear as a fancy top to a party or a special occasion. All you need a a sewing machine and a little bit of your time. Maybe 2 1/2  to 4 hours... depending on your skill level. Whether you are a bigger or long time sewer, you can make this top from scratch and without fussing with a paper pattern. 

This is a high low style top but high in the back and low in the front. It is slightly cropped in the back will show off your sexy back. You can wear a tank underneath if you do not want too much skin exposed, so no worries! In this photo, the model is a size small but this top is a one size top that will fit small to a large.

MooI chose to make this top using a silk habotai fabric. I love the luxurious quality and rich look of silk habotai. Silk take color really well and I love the lightness and the flowy drapiness of the fabric! I think this style will also be soo fabulout as a dress by making it a little longer! So easy!!! Follow the step by step instructions below. Good luck and enjoy!

Material:

-1 1/4 yards of fabric (silk habotai or any light drapey fabric)

-1 yard of 1/4" bias binding (match the color to the fabric)

-Pins

A. Fold the fabric in half.

B. Draw directly on the fabric the neck dimensions as below

-Neck opening width 17"

-Front neck drop from top edge to CF = 5".

-Back neck drop from top edge to CB = 1 1/2".

Draw the front and back neck line with chalk. Cut along marked neck line.

C. Centered at CF neck, fold 5, 1" pleats in 1 direction. Pin them in place as you fold. Centered at CB neck, fold an inverted pleat (1" on each side). Pin the pleats in place. ***Make sure your head can go through the neck before you proceed to D. If you want the neck to be bigger, just make the neck opening wider.

D. Sew a basting stitch (either by hand or sewing machine) around the neckline 1/8" from edge, to keep the pleats in place. Take the pins out as you sew.

E. Use the binding tape to sew along edge of neckline.

E-1. Insert the self fabric in between the bias binding fold and stitch close to the edge all around the opening of the front and back neck line.

E-2.  Turn the sewn bias binding to the inside of the neck. Pin the binding around neck to keep in place. Straight stitch 1/8" along edge of neckline, take out the pins as you sew.

F. Side seam construction: Turn garment inside out. Mark 13" down from top and 3" in from side. Pin first then sew the side seams. Overlock the edge of seam allowance. You can also sew a french seam if you don't want to overlock the seam allowance.

G, H. Armhole and Bottom them construction: Overlock all around the armhole and bottom edge. Fold self fabric to inside of garment at armhole and bottom hem 3/8". Straight stitch 1/4" all around the front and back of armhole and bottom hem.  Press where necessary. Good job, you have completed this project! 

Front and back view of pleated neck silk top. The pleats add fullness to the body of the garment. The back is slightly shorter than the front. I hope you enjoyed making this top.

THE VALENTINE TOP

It's almost Valentines Day again! I am reposting this DIY valentine top in case you haven't made it yet :) Click on the link below to see how you can make this top in just couple of hours!

http://www.runwaysewing.blogspot.com/2011/02/project-7-valentine-top-with-belt.html

PROJECT #19: HOLIDAY SEQUIN TANK TOP

© 2012 Runway Sewing. All Rights Reserved.

Holiday time is here again. Want some BLING in your wardrobe? Dress it UP with a satin or velvet bottom or dress it DOWN with your favorite denim. Make this tank in any knit fabric. Here we have a sequin knit tank made in simple steps. Start from scratch all on your own and make this or any knit tank in only about 3 hours! Celebrate this holiday with your DIY SEQUIN TANK TOP!

1. Find your best fitting knit tank top you want to copy and follow the step by step instructions below.

2. Lay the tank on pattern pattern or any paper big enough to trace the tank onto. Pin the tanks onto the paper so it does not move around. Trace the edge of the tank onto paper.

3. For the area such as the front neckline where you cannot trace the edge due to the back neckline being higher than the front.. use a pin or push pin to mark the paper by puncturing hole into the paper to trace later. You can use a tracing wheel if you have one.

4. Finish tracing the front and back of tank and cut it out. You will have a front piece and a back piece.

5. Lay the pattern pieces onto fabric and pin. Cut along the edge leaving 1/4' seam allowance all around. Sew the front and back side seams and shoulders together. For the armhole and neckline, you can finish the edges by sewing a bias binding or fold inward and single needle top stitch along the edge. For this tank, I only sewed a stay stitch along the edge to prevent stretching but I kept the edges raw.

If you have a knit dress, you can do the same and have a tank dress! Try it and have fun making your holiday tank. It's fast, it's easy and it looks great! Happy Holidays Everyone!

NEW WEBSITE LAUNCH!

Hello All! I have a new website. Go to www.RunwaySewing.com and check it out!!!

I just added a new DIY project called the "Molino". It can be made to be worn as a jacket, dress, loungewear or a beach coverup. It is a very versatile piece. I have published my 1st pdf eBook which has step by step instructions along with a printable pattern. I love the Molino and wear mine all the time! Try it for yourself and see what look you can come up with! You can see more pictures and information at the new website! Thanks!

© 2012 Runway Sewing. All Rights Reserved.

PREVIEW OF WHAT'S NEW TO COME!

© 2012 Runway Sewing. All Rights Reserved.  

Sorry for the delay in posting this month. I have been busy getting ready to launch a new Runway Sewing website for early September! Here is a sneak peek from today's photoshoot for what's to come! Stay Tuned!!! So Excited!

 

PROJECT #18: SUMMER TUBE TOP

© 2012 Runway Sewing. All Rights Reserved.  

This project is very similar to project #17: Strapless maxi. You can use knit or woven fabric for the body. For the top and bottom finishing, you will need a rib. Make a few different styles for the summer!

See the directions below on how to make this cute top. You can shape in the waist (reduce -1 1/2" total where your waist hits, or keep the sides straight as the diagram below for looser/relaxed fit.

A. Width = Your Chest circumference +2".
B. Center Front (longest length) = Desired length.
C. Center Back (shortest length) = Front length - 3".
D. Rib (with spandex) Length = A - 1 1/2". Height = 1/8" more than elastic height. If your elastic is 1", the height of the rib will be 2x's (double), as you will need to fold in half + seam allowance.
E.  Elastic = Circumference under you armpits. Keep it tight enough the top will not fall down.You only need elastic for the top.

For sewing, stitch the sides together. Sew the rib ends together, sew top and bottom rib all around the edge. Leave about 1 1/2" open on the top seam. You will need to pull the elastic through, inside the top rib casing. Sew the elastic ends together once it has been pulled through. Now finish stitching the rib to the top rib.  You are done!!! Have fun mix and matching the fabric and rib in different colors and prints. You can design and make this top for any occasion depending on the fabric you choose!

PROJECT #17: STRAPLESS MAXI

© 2012 Runway Sewing. All Rights Reserved.  

Here is the perfect summer dress you can make in just couple of hours! It is so easy to make and wear. Make it in a solid or printed fabric. You can use knit or woven fabric for this project.

Here are step by step instructions on how to make this dress.

#1)  1 1/2 yards of fabric + elastic

#2)  Figure out how much length of elastic you will need to go around right above your chest / right under armpits AND around your waist. Remember to keep the elastic tight so the dress will hold up when worn on the body. Sew the elastic ends together.

#3)  Fold the fabric in half. Sew the center back from top to bottom edge. Cut the back -2" blending to 0" at front. The back must be lower than the front of the body to fit properly.

#4)  Fold the garment inside out and start pinning the elastic at top opening. Make sure to leave enough fabric at top to fold and cover the elastic after sewing. When sewing the elastic to the fabric, you will need to gently pull the elastic to create shirring in the fabric since the fabric circumference will be much bigger than the elastic it self.

#5) Fold the top seam allowance inward to cover the elastic and stitch the elastic and fabric together again.

#6)  Pin & sew the elastic the same way as the top but there will be no seam allowance at waist. The elastic will be sewn directly to the inside of the waist. The stitching used on this example was in zig zag stitch but you can do straight stitch if you prefer.

#7) Finally, hem the length of the dress to your liking. You can keep it long maxi length or shorter.

Enjoy the summer showing off your new outfit that you made! :)