Don’t you just love it when you come across a pattern that works for all seasons and occasions? Well, this round-necked top from Amanda Walker does exactly that. Details include raglan sleeves topped with cuffs, at a three-quarter length, and subtle pleating underneath the neckband. Race you to the sewing machine!
ESSENTIALS
Fabric, 2m (150cm) Lightweight fusible interfacing
SUGGESTED FABRICS
Lightweight woven fabrics, such as cotton and rayon blends
SIZES
8-24
CUTTING GUIDE
Front top: cut one on the fold
Back top: cut one on the fold
Front neckband: cut two on the fold in fabric, and one on the fold in fusible interfacing
Back neckband: cut two on the fold in fabric, and one on the fold in fusible interfacing
Sleeve: cut one pair
Cuff: cut two in fabric, and two in fusible interfacing 1.5cm seam allowance used throughout, unless otherwise stated.
1 Download the pattern at sewmag.co.uk, then print out and follow the cutting guide. Divide the neckbands into two sets. Fuse interfacing to one of the front and back neckband sets by using a pressing cloth and plenty of steam. Match the shoulder edges of both sets, pin and stitch together. Press the seams open. With the right side of both sets facing, match the two together around the neck edges. Pin, then sew together.
2 Clip around the curved edges and fold the two pieces to the right side. Tease out the seam, then press flat. Match the front edges of the sleeve armhole to the front armhole edges of the front top piece. Pin and sew together. Repeat the process on the opposite armhole and the back armholes. Neaten the seam allowances together and press the seams toward the centre-front and back. Find the centre-back and front of both the top pieces and the neck band and mark these points. Make two rows of gathering stitches between the notches marked on the front pattern piece.
3 With the inside of the top facing upward, place the interfaced neckband into the top edge, matching the centre-front and back points, then the shoulder ends of the neckband to the notch in the head of the sleeves together. Pin in place and pull the gathering stitches up until the top edge fits the base edge of the neckband. You will need to clip the edges of the front and back to enable the neckband to fit. Sew in place, then press the seam allowance up into the neckband and place the remaining neckband over the seam.
4 Fold the edges under and hand slip-stitch on the machine stitched line, concealing all the raw edges inside. Match together the underarm edges of the sleeves an
