stitchu / sewing order / Close the tube
Close the tube, phase 6 of 9.
Side seams, set-in sleeves, straps.
Build flat for as long as you can: every seam is easier to sew and press while the piece is still open. Close it into a tube (side seams, sleeves) only near the end.
Selected reference steps, grouped by garment, not a complete sewing sequence. Labels name the design choices each step applies to. Follow the full sewing guide supplied with your chosen pattern. Patterns and their sewing guides.
Dress
- Sew the bodice side seams.
- Set-in sleeve: Sew each sleeve seam. Run gathering stitches between the cap notches, ease the cap into the armhole and set the sleeves in.
- Balloon sleeve: Gather the sleeve hem along the marked line and attach the interfaced cuffs.
Top
- Sew the side seams.
- Set-in sleeve: Sew each sleeve seam, ease the cap between the notches and set the sleeves in.
- Balloon sleeve: Gather the sleeve hem along the marked line and attach the interfaced cuffs.
Skirt
- Gathered skirt / pleated skirt: Sew the side seams, leaving the top 20 cm of the left seam open for the zipper.
- Half-circle skirt: Stitch the two side seams, leaving the top 20 cm of the left seam open for the zipper.
Terms in this phase
- ease: a tiny bit of extra length on one seam edge, gently distributed (not gathered) so a curved piece like a sleeve cap fits smoothly.
- armhole: the opening the arm goes through; the sleeve is sewn into it.
- notch: a small mark on a seam edge; match the notches on two pieces so they line up correctly when you sew.