CONSTRUCTION
BODY:
Neaten each centre Front (2) seam with an overlocker/serger.
With RST sew the centre front seams of the front body together. Start sewing at the hemline and stitch up to the front neck, stopping 6mm (1/4”) from the cut edge. Press the centre front seam open.
With RST sew the centre front seams of the Front Neck Facing (7) together – sew from the base of the facing and stop at 6mm (1/4”) from the cut edge of the V neck. Press the seam open.
With RST sew the front facing and Back Neck Facing (5) together at the shoulder seams and press open.
Neaten the outer edge of the facing with an overlocker/serger. Note: Stopping the stitching 6mm (1/4”) from the cut edge of the neck on both the main and the facing will enable you to achieve a nice V neck, as you will not have to clip into the V seam when sewing the facing to the neck.
Neaten each shoulder seam with an overlocker/serger. With RST sew the Front body (2) to the Back body (1) at the shoulder seams and press open.
With RST pin the neck facing to the neckline of the body. Place a pin through the junction of the centre front seams so that the seams are precisely on top of each other. Start sewing at the centre front seam, sew around the neckline finishing on the opposite side at the centre front.
From the right side understitch the seam on the side of the facing and press.
Secure the facing at the shoulders and centre front with a small hand stitch. Press.
With RST sew the front and back side seams together. Neaten with an overlocker/serger and press toward the back.
SLEEVE BANDS AND HEM FACING:
With RST sew the two short ends of the Sleeve Bands (6) together and press the seam open. Press in half lengthways with WST. Baste stitch the two raw edges together to hold in place.
With RST pin the sleeve band to the sleeve opening and stitch together. Neaten with an overlocker/serger and press toward the body.
With RST, sew the Front Hem Facing (4) to the Back Hem Facing (3) at the short ends, creating a loop, and press the seams open. Neaten the long edge of the hem facing (edge without notches) with an overlocker/serger.
With RST and notches aligned, pin the hem facing to the hem of the body and stitch together. Understitch the seam on the side of the facing.
Fold the hem facing to the inside of the body and pin in place. Sew a topstitch along the top edge of the facing to secure to the body.
Press your new top.
