TEXTURED COTTON GATHERED BANDEAU TOP

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1 - Measure your front bust measurement from side to side (A). Next, measure your back bust measurement from side to side (B).

Step 2 - For the front piece, cut out: A + 20cm wide by 50cm high. For the back piece, cut out: B + 10cm wide by 50cm high. Overlock the top, base and side edges of all pieces.

*this measurement can be altered to lengthen or shorten bandeau top.

Step 3 - With right sides facing, sew left side edge together. Sew right side together as per diagram, allowing for elastic casing openings.

Step 4 - Press seams open. Leave top inside out.

Step 5 - Press under 5.5cm along top raw edge to wrong side of top, aligning side seams, press & pin in place.

Step 6 - To make upper elastic casings, sew a line of stitching 2.5cm down from pressed edge, then another line of stitching 2.5cm down from the first line of stitching.

Step 7 - Repeat method to make base elastic casings, by pressing up 8cm from base edge, aligning seams, press and pin in place. Sew a line of stitching 2.5cm up from pressed edge, then two more lines of stitching spaced 2.5cm apart.

Step 8 - Cut elastic into 5 lengths. Using safety pins, thread elastic through casings.

Step 9 - Try on top and adjust elastic lengths to fit. Sew elastic ends together securely and trim away excess elastic. Hand or machine sew the casing openings closed.

Step 10 - Turn top right way out and adjust elastic gathers to fit.