The Corona Lounge suit. Part 5: sewing the top.

This tutorial will show you how to hack your Phoebe freebie into a knit garment! For a video sew-along, click the Phoebe Freebie Hack link to go to the Pattern Union YouTube channel.

Cut out the top pattern pieces in stretchy (50%), knit fabric. Mark the center notches on the waistband pieces.

Seam allowance is 1cm (3/8”).

This pattern is mostly suited to construction with an overlocker. A narrow zig-zag could also be used for seams.

Elastic for the waistband can be thin or thick, and should measure to fit your waist comfortably.

Sew the side seams:

1. Right sides together, pin the front side seams to the back side seams.

2. Overlock the seams.

Sew the neckline:

3. Set your overlocker to a narrow seam and the stitch length at 3.

12. Thread the tail back into the seam to prevent it unravelling for both halves.

Optional: knit fabrics do not fray – it is not necessary to finish the edges of the neckline!

Sew the center front:

5. Set your overlocker back to a normal stitch.

6. Right sides together, match the front notches.

7. Sew the center front seam, leaving a tail of thread at the top.

8. Thread the tail back into the seam to prevent it unraveling.

Sew the center back:

9. Set your overlocker back to a normal stitch.

10. Right sides together, match the back notches.

11. Sew the center back seam, leaving a tail of thread at the top.

12. Thread the tail back into the seam to prevent it unravelling.

Sew the center back neck channel:

13. Turn over 4cm (1 9/16”) seam allowance.

14. Use either a zigzag stitch, twin needles, or a coverstitch to sew the seam.

Sew the hem:

15. Turn up a hem seam allowance to match the width of your elastic.

16. Use either a zigzag stitch, twin needles, or a coverstitch to sew the hem, leaving a 4cm (1 9/16”) opening.

17. Thread elastic through the hem.

18. Sew the elastic ends together, and ease into the hem.

19. Sew the opening closed using either a zigzag stitch, twin needles, or a coverstitch to sew the seam.

The basic version of the top is to tie a double knot at the front, then thread the ties through the back neck channels to tie again at the center back.