The Elaine tie sleeve top is a project that I’ve had in mind for quite a while. I got the inspiration from Pinterest and it was from a Japanese website. I love the tie sleeve detail and its relaxed fit, so I decided to make the pattern for this lovely piece of garment. It would be a quick and simple project: only 4 pattern pieces, not much sewing skill needed – you only need to know how to sew a good facing for the neckline!
My pattern is made in 10 sizes from XXS to 5XL so you may find a suitable size for yourself. If you are not sure which size suits you, take a look at the measurement table before doing anything here: SIZE GUIDE.
The pattern is made using layered PDF, please check for your desired size before printing so you won’t waste your paper. I have included a first page with many details about sizing and printing, so please first read the first page and make sure you know what size you need! If you still do not know how to print a layered PDF, please check for the printing instruction in this post: PRINTING GUIDE.
You can print this using your home printer and A4/Letter paper. I calculated the printing area so that you will be able to use either type of paper to print the pattern out perfectly. Always print the first page first and check with the test square if you are printing at the right scale before you print out the whole pattern – avoid waste of ink and waste of paper, save the earth!
Some PC may print smaller than actual size even when you choose 100% scale – I don’t know why this problem exist, but my HP laptop cannot print true to size. I have to scale up to 103% to get the right size. You may need to check with your PC to see if it prints true to size, if not, scale up a bit.
SEWING INSTRUCTION
You will need
- Fabric of your choice. This pattern is made for woven fabric, but you can also use knit fabric.
- Scissors, pencil or fabric marker, ruler, pins
- Sewing machine/Serger or needle and thread
- Printed pattern
How much fabric do you need for this piece of garment? To be precise, you may need to check how much fabric you need before buying. It will depend on the selected pattern size, the width, and design of the fabric you plan to use. Just to be sure, print all the paper patterns and lay them out at the width of fabric you plan to use (usually from 90 to 150 centimeters or 35 to 60 inches). Measure how much fabric you will need. Don’t forget to account for pieces that need to be cut multiple times and pieces that are cut on the fold.
Cutting instruction:
After printing out and taping all the pattern pages together, you will get something similar to this:
You will see that there are 2 sets of lines on each pattern piece. The inner lines are sewing line (and you sew along these lines), and the outer lines are cutting lines (you cut the fabric along these lines, remember the folding lines where you have to fold the fabric before cutting). The distance between sewing line and cutting line is seam allowance, and it varies from point to point. For example, the side seam allowance is about 1/2 inch (1.2cm), and seam allowance at hemline is 1 inch (2.5cm). This is the reason why I do not remove the sewing lines from the pattern. Please use it as a guide to know how much seam allowance you need to give at each seam.
The fabric will be cut into following pieces:
- Front: cut 1 on the fold
- Back: cut 1 on the fold
- Front Neck Facing: cut 1 self fabric + 1 fusible interfacing
- Back Neck Facing: cut 1 self fabric + 1 fusible interfacing
You can skip the neckline facing by using bias binding tape!
Place the pattern pieces on the fabric, pin the pattern pieces to the fabric to secure them in place. Using sharp scissors, carefully cut out the fabric pieces along the outer lines of the pattern. Take your time to ensure precise and clean cuts, as this will affect the fit and overall appearance of your garment.
Make sure to mark all notches and other design features such as darts, pleats etc. from the pattern pieces onto your fabric. When sewing the garment, pay attention to notches, they must match up.
Sewing instruction:
1. Serge/zig zag stitch the raw edge to prevent fabric from unraveling.
2. Place the Front and Back right side facing, pin and sew the shoulder and side seams. For the shoulder seam, only sew from the neck to the notch on the sleeve.
3. Apply fusible interfacing on neckline facing pieces. Transfer the marking on the Back Neckline Facing pattern piece on to the wrong side of the Back Neckline Facing fabric. The marking indicates the slit at the center back.
5. Place two neckline facing pieces right side facing, sew the shoulder seam.
4. Place the joined neckline facing piece and the garment right side facing. Pin and sew around the neckline, make sure to backstitch before and after the two “legs” of the slit at the center back.
6. Sew along the narrow rectangle on the back. Use scissors to cut the center back slit, start from the center back neck along the center back line, stop at ¼ inch from the end of the rectangle the carefully cut diagonally toward the two corners of the rectangle. Cut as close to the corner as possible but do not cut the thread. You final cut will look like a “fork”.
7. Trim the seam allowance of the neckline, clip the curve. Turn the Neckline Facing in, staystitch the seam allowance on the Neckline Facing.
8. Use a mini hem to finish the sleeve openings.
9. Hem the garment. Attach button and hook for closure at the back.
And here is the download link:
ELAINE TIE SLEEVE TOP (SIZE XXS – 5XL)
To download just click on the link above and choose “Save link as”. The PDF file will be downloaded to your device.
Happy sewing! And don’t forget to share your project on my Facebook page: Tiana’s Closet Sewing Patterns.
Tiana
