The Gina puffed sleeve top is a lovely item with square neckline, voluminous sleeves, fitted bodice and flared peplum. I was inspired to create this pattern after seeing many collections for Spring/Summer 2024 where cuteness and playfulness become the mainstreams. The Gina top, featuring sweet necklines, puff sleeves and ruffled peplum is definitely one of the trendy item that you can wear all through out the next year!
Let’s have more detailed look at the design:
As usual, 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.
My patterns are now made in both A4/Letter paper and A0 paper format so you can print at home or at any print shop!
For home printers, you can print this using your home printer and either A4 or 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. I was informed by a reader that you can also print the pdf as image to get the right scale, however I never tested it on my computer.
SEWING INSTRUCTION
You will need
- Fabric of your choice. This pattern is intended for woven fabric.
- Some light weight lining fabric
- Some ½ inch (1cm) wide elastic for the sleeve
- Elastic thread for shirred back panel
- 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:
- Center Front: cut 1 self + 1 lining on fold
- Center Back: cut 1 self on fold
- Side Front: cut 2 self + 2 lining
- Side Back: cut 2 self + 2 lining
- Sleeve: cut 2 self
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, draw marks 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. Make the shirred Back Panel. You can find a video instruction on how to create shirred panel here: https://tianascloset.com/index.php/2023/06/15/how-to-create-shirring/. Fold the seam allowance at the top edge and bottom edge of the Center Back panel and sew. Insert a piece of elastic into each tube created by the hem, and baste to hold it in place.
3. Place Center Front and Side Front right side facing, pin and sew to attach. Do it with both sides of Side Front and get the Front piece.
4. Place the Side Back and Front right side facing, pin and sew the side seam. Repeat with both sides. You get the main garment.
5. Repeat step 3 and 4 with the lining fabric. You will get the lining for the main garment.
6. Fold the seam allowance of the straight edge of the Sleeve and sew to create a tunnel for elastic. Insert elastic (the length of elastic is about 14 inches, increase or decrease about ¼ inch with each size increment) into the casing, baste to keep the elastic in position.
7. Pin and sew the underarm seam of the Sleeve. Fold the hem of the Sleeve and sew, leaving a 1 inch opening to insert elastic. Insert elastic to the casing and sew to close. The length of elastic is about the circumference of your biceps.
8. Pin the Sleeve to the right side of the main garment so that it starts and ends at the seam connecting Center Front and Side Front, and Center Back and Side Back pieces, and the underarm seam matches the side seam of the garment. Place the lining piece on top of the main garment, matching all seams. Pin and sew along the upper and lower edge of the main garment. Clip the seam allowance for smoother curves.
9. Turn the main garment right side out, staystitch the seam allowance to the lining.
10. Place the Center Back panel and main garment right side facing, pin and sew to finish the garment.
And here is the download link:
GINA PUFFED SLEEVE TOP SIZE XXS-5XL (A0 PAPER)
GINA PUFFED SLEEVE TOP SIZE XXS-5XL (A4/LETTER PAPER)
To download just click on the link above and choose “Save link as”. The PDF file will be downloaded to your device. An advertisement may pop up, just close it and continue with your download. In case some ads attempt to make you enter your personal info, just ignore and close it. I do NOT require any kind of information to download my pattern files.
Happy sewing! And don’t forget to share your project on my Facebook page: Tiana’s Closet Sewing Patterns or tag me on Instagram #tianasclosetsewingpatterns, I will be thrilled to see the garment in real life!
