The Ally top is a great basic. It has a knot tie in the middle and it fits like a dream!
If you prefer to watch the video tutorial, you can find it at the link below:
Ally Top Written Instructions
Materials
- 1/2 yard swimwear fabric
- 4 yards swimwear elastic
- Ally Top pattern
- Seam ripper
- Loop turner or safety pin
- Overlock machine OR zig zag stitch on a regular sewing machine
Step 1
Assemble your pattern, then cut your pieces. You'll cut a total of 2 the front piece and 2 of the back piece. If you're using a different lining and outer fabric, cut one in each for the front and back. This pattern includes 1/4" seam allowance.
You're also going to cut two straps according to the strap measurements included in the pattern.
Step 2
Match your front pieces together with right sides together. Do the same with the back pieces. Pin all along every open edge, excluding the sides and the strap openings. So for the front you'll sew the neckline, armholes, and bottom edge. For the back you'll sew the top edge and the bottom edge.
Also at this step you will attach your elastic. If you have an elastic foot you can sew the fabric and the elastic in one step, but if you don't have an elastic foot you may choose to break up the process to 2 steps, first sewing the fabric together and then going back and attaching elastic. To make the top less bulky, you may decide to stop the elastic before it gets to the knotted area. This is up to personal preference.
Sew your straps in half as well, and attach elastic.
Step 3
After you've sewn your straps, use a loop turner or safety pin to turn your straps to the right side.
Step 4
With the front piece still inside out, take each of your straps and insert them into the strap openings. Pin them down, then sew across to secure the straps inside.
Step 5
Take your front piece to the right side. Now it's time to tie the knot! When tying, ensure that your right sides are facing out. You will be able to adjust the knot later on, but the most important thing is that your right sides are facing the same way. You won't be able to correct that after this step, so make sure you like it!
Step 6
With your back piece still inside out and your front piece still right side out, insert the front piece inside of the back piece.
Step 7
Pin the side seams together, and sew across all four layers of fabric to secure each of the sides. This will attach the front and back pieces together! Before sewing the side seams, ensure everything is enclosed inside the back piece, including the loose straps.
Step 8
Now that the side seams are sewn, take the piece all the way back to the right side. To do this, seam rip a 1-2" hole in the back piece. It doesn't matter where your put this, but we like to put it where the tag would usually go.
Step 9
Through this hole, take everything to the right side
Step 10
To attach the straps into the back, seam rip where you'd like them to go. Typically we recommend placing them 3.5" in from each of the sides. Place your straps inside, then through the 1-2" hole we made, sew down the straps from the inside to make a clean finish.
Step 11
The final step is finishing off the 1" hole with an invisible stitch or top stitch.
That completes the Ally top!