How-to: Gathered Off-shoulders Top

Hey, dollings! Welcome to another miniature crafting session with atelierniSHASHA

Today, we will be making the gathered off-shoulders top,
which I think is a classic, summer staple for any stylish girl.

Curvy Aki rocking the Gathered Off-shoulders Top

NUFace doll Dominique Akeda models this finished piece

Video sewing instructions are now available on my Youtube channel,
and if you are a beginner sewing enthusiast,
I highly recommend you watch the videos first,
before printing a copy of this instructions page.

Click here to go directly to the complete YouTube playlist:


Here are also links to each of the videos:

Part 1 - Preparing your fabric (tracing, edge-sealing, cutting)

Part 2 - Preparing elastic casing and hemming sleeves and bottom edge

Part 3 - Completing the garment (hemming neckline, inserting elastic band...)

And below is our written version of the sewing instructions.

Enjoy your crafting session, dolling!

Tools and Materials

paper scissors
pencil or fabric marker
anti-fray solution (optional, I just use watered-down wood glue)
paintbrush (optional, to spread anti-fray solution)
fabric
hand sewing needle/sewing machine
threads (matching and for basting)
fabric scissors
thread cutter (optional)
elastic band (I used 1/4-inch width)
small safety pins (2, in size that fits your gathered casing)
measuring tape (optional)


1. Prepare your sewing patterns.

2. Trace your patterns on the wrong side of the fabric.
You'll need a front panel, a back panel, and two sleeves.

3. Apply your anti-fray solution. I just used watered-down wood glue.

4. Once the glue is dry, cut the fabric pieces with your added seam allowance. 

5. Cut slits on the curvy edges.

6. Take your front and back panels.

7. Sew the side seams.



8. Take one sleeve fabric piece.

9. Fold the sleeve fabric piece vertically and stitch the underarm seam.


Stitching mid-way

finished underarm seam

10. Sew the other sleeve's underarm seam.

11. Grab one sleeve, flip to its right side and insert it into the torso.

12. Pin the sleeve to the torso along the sleeve seam to secure.

13. Stitch to close your sleeve seam.


when the sleeve is pulled out...

14. Stitch the sleeve seam on the other side, too.

15. Baste the edge of your off-shoulder neckline.

16. Fold the final neckline hem, and pin to secure. We are now creating the gathered elastic casing.

17. Start hemming your neckline.

18. Hem around and leave about 8mm or at least a quarter of an inch open for your elastic to get into later.


19. You can skip this part but I love to make this part a sturdy elastic casing so I topstitch the edge of my neckline.

20. Pull away your stitch-baste carefully.

21. Hem the bottom edge of your top.

22. Hem your sleeves.


23. Insert your elastic band into the opening of the neckline at the center back. Attach the safety pins on both ends of the elastic. 

24. Pin together the ends of the elastic band and stitch to finally secure.


25. Insert the remaining elastic band into the casing and close the opening with a good stitch.

26. Distribute the elastic band around the whole casing neckline by stretching gently throughout.

27. Take your model doll, try on the gathered off-shoulders top and you're done!


If you got to this page because you purchased my sewing pattern,
thank you so so much again for your support and love.

I am always happy to know that my craft somehow inspired you
to get crafty ;)

You have not only helped me sustain my craft and living expenses,
you also inspired me to work hard and dream even more
new creations for our dolls.
For the love of our dolls, right? :D

If you just got here to my blog, thank you so much for deciding to click and browse through.

I have so many how-to posts and videos to share with you :)
Please have a look around my blog...

Alright. I'm gonna get back to work now ;)

Thanks again for being here and I'll see you again!

much love,
shasha

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