Balloon Sleeve Top

Balloon Sleeve Top

 

 

This balloon sleeve top is made from the exact same pattern as my – Balloon Sleeve Dress – just shorter and from a gorgeous sheer black lace.

You need: –

• my pattern from the balloon sleeve dress on – this link
• fabric
• matching colour thread
• matching colour bias binding tape
• elastic
• elastic threader
• sewing machine
• sewing scissors
• pins

You do: –

Pin the pattern to your fabric and cut the two pieces. Cut the neckline for the front piece slightly lower than the back piece. Remember less is better. If you cut too much – you can’t add back. But you can always cut away more later.

Pin shoulder and sides together and sew them together. Slip on your top and check your head can fit through the hole. If not, adjust slightly until you’re happy.

Now take your bias binding (starting at the centre back of your neckline, or the shoulder, but not in front) leave a small piece (about 2 centimetres) free and start pinning the the one half of your bias binding to the neckline. That small piece will be used when you join the ends together. Sew the bias binding in place. Sew ends together and sew that in place.

Fold over bias binding making sure the top piece fits exactly on the bottom piece on the other side of the fabric. If you don’t do that, it won’t sew in place. See picture above so it all makes sense to get it done the right way.

Next make a hem at the bottom of your top and pin in place. Fit your top and if you’re happy sew the hem. If not, now’s the time to adjust it.

The last thing to do is make a hem at the sleeves of your top – wide enough so your elastic fits through it. Once again first pin and fit the top to check if you’re happy with the length. If all good, sew hem. Measure elastic around your upper arm (not too tight) and allow a bit extra to join the two ends together. Feed elastic through hem and sew ends together.

Give your new top a press with an iron and just like that you have a new statement sleeve top.

Have a great green week.

Greenie.