Make A Top With French Seams

Designer: Marcia Spencer

Instagram: @keechiibstyle

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French seams are one of the many ways to create clean finished seams. You can use this method in the place of a serged seams and with lightweight sheer fabrics as well. Follow along and create Simplicity S9951 top with me using french seams.

Tool & Supplies needed:

2 yards or of woven fabric

Single folded bias tape

Pattern S9951

OLFA RM-MG-01/GRY 24”X36” Double-Sided Self-Healing Rotary Mat, Gray

OLFA 45mm RTY-2/C Quick-Change Rotary Cutter, Aqua

OLFA 5-Inch SCS-1 Serrated-Edge Stainless Steel Scissors

Cutting & Prep

1. Cut all the pieces out for the pattern using your OLFA cutting tools and apply your interfacing and markings..

Sewing Instructions

2. Fold tie ends in half lengthwise with right sides together.

3. Stitch a ⅜ in seam, leaving one short end open.
4. Turn the tie ends right side out and Press.

5. Pin open tie end to each bodice front and back matching the small dots and having raw edges even. Pin and Baste.

6. Opening up one folded edge of bias tape, with right sides together pin bias tape to the upper edge of the bodice front and back.

7. Stitch in the crease of the fold.
8. Trim seam and understitch.

9. Fold bias tape over to inside. Press.
10. Baste close to the edge of the tape.

11. With wrong sides together fold piece (1) over matching small dots and notches. Pin

12. Stitch about ⅛ inch seam. Trim close to the stitches.
13. Turn wrong side out. Press seam.

14. Stitch seam again ¼ inch in encasing the previous seam.
15. Repeat this for both arms.

16. Go ahead and make a narrow hem to finish the arm hem.

17. Add the gathering stitches to piece (3) and piece (4) between the notches.
18. With wrong sides together pin lower back piece (4) to lower front piece (3) at the short sides matching notches.

19. Stitch about ⅛ inch seam. Trim close to the stitches.
20. Turn seam in and Press.

21. Stitch seam again ¼ inch in encasing the previous seam.

22. Hem the front and back using a narrow hem,

23. Pull the gathering stitches to the lower skirt, and with wrong sides together pin lower front section to bodice matching notches, dots and seams while gathering to fit.
24. Stitch the lower front to upper using about ¼ inch seam.
25. Turn seam in and Press.

26. Stitch seam again ¼ inch in encasing the previous seam.
27. Press seam down.

Voila Your Done!