Avery Top Written Directions

Materials

- Cutting tool like scissors or rotary cutter

- Seam ripper

- Overlock machine OR zig-zag stitch on a regular sewing machine

Cutting

Assemble your pattern and cut your desired size.

Then, cut 2 of the front piece and 2 of the back piece in your swimwear fabric. 1/4" seam allowance is included.

This top can be made reversible, so if you're using two different fabrics you'll cut 1 front and 1 back in EACH fabric.

Step 1

First step is to sew along the arm holes, neckline, and bottom line on both the front and back piece. To do this, match fronts with fronts and backs with backs, right sides together. Then using an overlock stitch (or a zig zag stitch), sew those seams. You should also attach your elastic at this step.

For more information on elastic, click here.

Step 2

Once you have your elastic sewn in all these areas, you should have the sides and shoulder seams left completely untouched for both the front and the back. In this step you will attach these.

First, flip your back piece so it is right side out. Then, making sure right sides are facing together, insert the back piece inside of the front piece. Align both of the sides as well as both shoulder straps. At this time your back piece should be completely enclosed inside. Pin along the sides and shoulder straps, and then sew across to attach them. You can use either a straight stitch and then trim the excess, or you can use an overlock stitch.

Step 3

Everything is sandwiched inside the front, so now we need to take this top to the right side. To do this, get your seam ripper out. Seam rip a 1-2" hole somewhere along an existing seam. The armpit area is a popular choice as it is very discrete.

Once you've seam ripped, start grabbing the top from inside the hole and bring it all the way to the right side.

Step 4

Your final step is finishing off that hole, and you can either use a straight stitch and top stitch it closed, or you can do an invisible stitch by hand.