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Debbie Shore's Dressmaking Studio: Off-the-Shoulder Top

Quick Links: What you'll need Project steps

Get ready for Summer by making this cute and feminine, strapless off-the-shoulder top! This is a patternless made-to-measure garment that's great for beginners.

You can make this pretty top using your own measurements. This design could easily be extended to make a dress, or you could add elastic around the hem for a blouson! Don’t use a fabric that is too stiff, or you’ll find the ruffle will stand away from your body too much.

Before you start:

• Measure around your arms and shoulders where the elasticated top will sit
• Measure your hips or the widest part of your body, divide by two then add 2in (5cm)
• Measure your high bust, then from here to the desired length – this is your centre length

Tips & Techniques to refer to:

1. Sewing with viscose
2. Bias binding
3. Working with Stretch Bias Binding

This fun project is from my book Debbie Shore's Sewing Room Secrets: Essential Skills for Dressmakers, where you can find further guidance on dressmaking tips.

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You will need:

Equipment

• Sewing machine
• Scissors

Materials

• One piece of floaty viscose; I used 50 x 44in (127 x 112cm) – see steps 1 and 2 for calculations
• ¼in (5mm) wide elastic cut to slightly smaller than your shoulder measurement
• A safety pin
• 24in (60cm) approx. of bias binding

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