CONSTRUCTION:
With right sides together sew the shoulder seams of the back and front bodice and press open.
From the inside sew the bust darts as marked on the pattern and press downward.
With right sides together sew the shoulder seams of the back and front facings and press open.
With right sides together sew the neck facing to the neck of the body, carefully clip into the corners. Turn out to the right side and understitch close to the seam on the side of the facing.
You will now have the right sides facing out. From the inside, pinch the raw edges of the front armhole and armhole facing together and pull through so that right sides are together and you can sew from the front underarm side seam up to the shoulder seam.
Repeat by sewing from the back side seam up to the shoulder seam. This process has to be sewn in two sections as it’s not possible to sew the armhole facing to the armhole all in one go.
Turn to the right side and understitch as far as you can close to the seam on the side of the facing.
Finding this step tricky? Click here for a video tutorial showing how to sew this type of facing.
With right sides together sew the front hem band to the hem of the front body. Turn to the right side and understitch close to the seam on the side of the facing.
With right sides together sew the back hem band to the hem of the back body. Turn to the right side and understitch close to the seam on the side of the facing.
With right sides facing sew the front and back side seams together. Start sewing at the base of the hem facings and continue sewing up to the armhole and through the side seam of the facing. Neaten the side seam with an overlocker/serger and press to the back.
Sew a small stitch to the base of the under arm facing and the body’s side seam to hold in place.
Pin the hem facing to the body and topstitch along the top edge of the facing.
Lightly press your new top.