You are currently viewing Learn to Sew – Project #4 – Short Sleeve Top

Learn to Sew – Project #4 – Short Sleeve Top

Hello everyone! We’ve made 3 skirts so far.  Now it’s time to move on to a different type of garment.  In Project #4 we are making a knit top.  If you are just joining the Sewing Course, please start with Project #1 and progress through the lessons before starting this project. In each lesson you are learning new techniques needed for the next project. For those of you who have been following along, you will also learn several new techniques in this project:

  1. Finding Fabric Grain;
  2. Pattern Adjustment for a Full Bust (FBA);
  3. Seam Finishing
  4. Hem Finishing
  5. Inserting Sleeves
  6. Inserting Neck Band

This is another pattern that you can sew up in no time, once you’ve mastered the basic techniques.

Create the Look

  • Shirt Pattern: New Look 6458 (View C) or Butterick 5215 (For Plus Size) (View A)
  • Farbric: Rayon Spandex (I used leftovers from the maxi skirt we made in Project #2.)
  • Skirt Pattern: Butterick 3037 (You can follow the steps in Project #3 to make this skirt)
  • Skirt Fabric:  Houndstooth Knit
  • Shoes:  Off Saks Fifth (in-store purchase — no link available)
  • Handbag: Aldo Shoes
  • Fedora: “B Iconic” at the Fashion Outlets of Las Vegas (no website, only a facebook page) – Most items $10!!!

Styling Options

This is a basic top with endless styling options.  I believe it’s safe to say we all have at least one of these t-shirts in our wardrobe.  It can be dressed up or down, for work or play, and it never goes out of style – a timeless piece.

If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments below, or send me an email message.

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Thanks for stopping by!

Remember: “When you live in your DESIGN, it is from there that God SHINES!”

Anita

Here are photos of the finished shirt. You will find the video for Project #4 at the end of this post.

Learn to Sew - anitabydesign.com

Learn to Sew - anitabydesign.com

Learn to Sew - anitabydesign.com

Learn to Sew - anitabydesign.com

Learn to Sew - anitabydesign.com

Learn to Sew - anitabydesign.com

All Photos Courtesy of CEMO!

Start Project #4 Here

(Part 1)

Learn to Sew - anitabydesign.com

(Part 2)

Learn to Sew - anitabydesign.com

(Part 3)

Learn to Sew - anitabydesign.com

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Anita Morris

Anita is the Author of STEP Into It, Overcoming Trials That Lead To Purpose. She is also an Online Sewing Instructor for beginner sewists. She is passionate about helping women to step into their purpose by walking in the calling on their lives. She hosts a popular YouTube channel where she helps women to become confident in their sewing skills.

This Post Has 20 Comments

  1. Linda Keenan

    HI ANITA

    I JUST DISCOVERED YOU ON YOU TUB IVE BEEN ON COMPUTER WATCHING YOUR LESSONS. THANK YOU SO MUCH I LIKE THE WAY YOU TEACH. SEAM ALLOWANCE INFO SO SO HELPFUL

  2. Linda Keenan

    HI ANITA

    I JUST DISCOVERED YOU ON YOU TUB IVE BEEN ON COMPUTER WARCHING YOUR LESSONS. THAN YOU SO MUCH I LIKE THE WAY YOU TEACH.

  3. Corynne

    I can’t to do this one. I need that full bust adjustment. I have a full bust I’m not plus size so fitting my top half is always a challenge and this is one of t b email few skills I still need to master. Thank you!

    1. Corynne

      It should say I can’t wait to do this one!!

    2. Anita Morris

      Hi Corynne! I wish you much success with your full bust adjustment. Keep working at it until you master it.

  4. Lisa

    Once again, I do so wish I’d seen your video class 10 years ago. Learning the tip of starting with a smaller pattern and then doing an FBA would have saved me so many problematic garments. You did a great job showing how to use the hip curve ruler to blend in a natural curve and how to trace pattern markings onto traced pattern pieces. Thank you. I really am enjoying the class.

    I do have a question about why you use 2 rows of stitching when inserting the sleeve. Is it for security because that’s a seam that takes a lot of stress during wearing?

    I’m sorry I have fallen behind. I’m watching the videos as time, energy, and life allow. Thank you for putting the class together this way so that people can follow as they can find the time.

    One thing I wanted to share is a method I learned on a PR forum of marking the wrong side of the fabric pieces using small pieces of painter’s tape so I could still tell right from wrong side after cutting them out. Before I learned this, I assembled a pair of solid black pants, sewing at night. The indoor lighting made it look fine, but then when I wore them outdoors in the sunlight, I could tell that I had sewn some pieces with the right side out and some with the wrong side out. The painter’s tape on wrong side of each fabric piece helps me make sure I don’t do that again, and it’s easy to remove after the garment is assembled.

    Thank you again for all you give to use, for sharing your talents and blessing us with your knowledge.

    1. Anita Morris

      Hey Lisa! Thank you so much for your great feedback.

      Yes, the 2 rows are for extra support in the stress areas. Can’t believe I didn’t share that information.

      Your tip about tagging the wrong side of the fabric is one that I learned too but totally forgot to mention to the newbies. I also mark the wrong side sometimes with marking pen, pencil, or a straight pin. I’ll have to remember to mention that in the next tutorial when I use a fabric that doesn’t have an obvious right or wrong side.

      Enjoy the rest of the videos and have fun sewing.

  5. Shawn

    Wow!! You are flung to have e me looking great!!!

    1. Anita Morris

      Yes, Shawn! You will be looking sharp in your creations.

  6. Sherry

    Hi Anita.

    You slay as you always do. I love the way you take a tee shirt and dress it up. You look lovely.

    Afterr three weeks, I have finally finished my circle skirt. The zipper installation was a little challenging, but with practice, it will get better. All is left to do now is to finish up the hem.

    I will email you pictures of the finish project.

    Thanks again for sharing your blessings and talents.

    1. Anita Morris

      Hi Sherry! Thanks for your encouraging words. Keep practicing that zipper installation and pretty soon you’ll be able to do it with your eyes closed. Enjoy!

  7. Pat S.

    Anita did I miss it or did you mention where you got the hat? Love it! I think i may have to take a day off work to get caught up on all the sewing projects. Thanks you

    1. Anita Morris

      Hey Pat! Nope, I forgot to mention the hat. Thanks for the reminder. The store is called, “B Iconic,” at the Fashion Outlets of Las Vegas. They don’t have a website, only a facebook page. I’ll go add this information to the post. Thanks again.

  8. Patricia

    Beautiful look! The hat matches the skirt exactly. Simple pieces that equals elegance and class. You have a great figure and look awesome!

    1. Anita Morris

      Thanks Patricia! Yep, simple goes a long way!

  9. Mye

    OMG….thank you for a FBA, won’t tell you how bad I need to master this technique. Once again, you slay at pulling it all together! Thanks so much for inspiring…..hoping to share some of my creations with you soon!

    1. Anita Morris

      You’re welcome, Mye! I’m so glad I can send some inspiration.

  10. Joy

    Beautiful!!! Such a well put together selection. I am looking forward to completing this lesson. Thank you for sharing your skills with us.

    1. Anita Morris

      Hi Joy! You are very welcome! It is my pleasure! Enjoy!

Comments are closed.