For the first day of our second week of the Honeycomb Shirt & Dress Sew Along we are going to start sewing!
And today it will be all about working on the yoke, back and front bodice pieces. As you will see on the instructions, some steps work for both options and versions and some will not. In this Sew Along we will be making the shirt with short sleeves but there will be links to YouTube on some specific steps so that you can make the one with long sleeves and bows and the dress version.
And now, less talking and more making :)
Back darts
All versions
Fold the dart on your back bodice piece in half following the lines on the pattern with right sides facing each other and pin making sure the lines match up. Sew starting at the wider point. Then press both darts towards the outer of the bodice.
Mark and pin your darts
Yoke part I
All versions
We are going to use the popular 'burrito technique'. Take one of the yoke pieces and place it along the top seam of the back piece with right sides together. Pin and sew with the usual 3/8’’/1cm seam allowance.
Now take the other yoke piece and place it on the wrong side of the back bodice again along the seam. The right side of the yoke will face the wrong side of the back. Pin and sew. Press the two yoke pieces up along the seam.
Leave the back aside.
Front button placket
All versions
Following the marks on the pattern, apply interfacing to the button stands on both sides following the marks on the pattern and on the wrong side of the fabric.
Now, following again the lines on the pattern, fold the button stand in with wrong sides together and press. Fold again following the next line and press. Topstitch. Do the same on the other front bodice piece.
Sew vertical buttonholes following the markings on the pattern piece on the right side of the front. Sew the buttons now as well on the left as it will be easier without the rest of the shirt or dress getting in the way. Make sure they are lined up.
You can also opt for snap buttons if you don't fancy buttonholes :)
Side straps for bows
All versions
Take the bodice straps and start by folding one of the long sides into the middle of the strap with wrong sides together and press. Fold the opposite long side bringing in it to the middle again and press. Then fold only one of the short sides in by around 1cm and press (this way you won’t have to turn them to the right side!). Now fold along the middle of the strap and press again.
Topstitch along the strap starting on the short folded side and along the long side that you have just pressed. Do the same with the other 3 straps.
Front bodice construction
All versions
Take one front bodice piece, one side panel and one strap. Place the panel on top of the front bodice with right sides together and matching notches. Pick up the strap and place it between both pieces following the placement marks. Pin, sew and finish that seam with your preferred method. Press it towards the outer edge.
Tomorrow, we will wrap up our 'burrito' and join front and back bodice pieces together.
Hope you followed today's post easily and remember that you can always go to the Honeycomb Dress and Shirt pattern YouTube tutorial we got ready for you to watch all these steps.
Happy sewing and see you soon!
Ana
xxx