My tutorial... the Laïa top or dress

Here is the photo-illustrated tutorial for the Laïa top or dress. I made the top version for this tutorial, but the dress version is exactly the same (apart from the length, of course).

Here I briefly reiterate the step-by-step instructions provided with the pattern.

The pattern is available in PDF format only here.

STEP 1 - THE FRONT

Sew the front top pieces, right sides together, as shown in the photo.

Trim the seams to 5 mm and make snips. Turn to the right side and press.

Place the assembled front top on the top of the front band, right sides together, centering it on the band. Baste it with a 5 mm seam from the edge.

Gather the short front ruffle until it matches the width of the front band.

Place the ruffle, right sides together, on the bottom of the front band and sew them together.

You will get a front piece as shown in the photo below.

Press the seam allowance upwards.

STEP 2 - THE BACK

Sew the back straps, two by two, right sides together, as shown in the photo.

Trim the seams to 5 mm and make snips. Turn to the right side and press.

Place the assembled straps on the top of the back band at the positions indicated on the pattern, right sides together. Baste them with a 5 mm seam from the edge.

Place the short back ruffle, right sides together, on the bottom of the back band.

Sew the short ruffle and the band, being careful not to catch the straps in the seam.

Press the seam allowance upwards.

STEP 3 - ASSEMBLING THE TOP OR DRESS

Sew the front and back pieces made in steps 1 and 2 with French seams: that is, place the front and back wrong sides together, align the side seams, and orient the seam allowances upwards. Sew them with a 5 mm seam from the edge.

Turn to the wrong side and carefully press the seams. Then make a second seam 1 cm from each edge. The seam allowances are hidden by this seam.

Press the seams towards the back.

STEP 4 - THE LONG RUFFLES

Gather the long front ruffle until it matches the width of the front band.

Sew the long front ruffle and the second front band, wrong side of the ruffle to right side of the band: the wrong side of the ruffle is placed against the right side of the front band.

Press the seam allowance upwards.

Sew the long back ruffle and the second back band, wrong side of the ruffle to right side of the band: the wrong side of the ruffle is placed against the right side of the back band.

Press the seam allowance upwards.

Sew the front and back of the long ruffles, as made in this way, with French seams: place the front and back of the ruffle wrong sides together. Make sure the side seams align, orienting the seam allowances upwards. The bands are thus right sides together. Sew them with a 5 mm seam from the edge.

Turn to the wrong side and press the seams. Then make a second seam 1 cm from each edge.

Press the seams towards the front.

STEP 5 - FINAL ASSEMBLY OF THE TOP OR DRESS

Place the top made in step 3 and the long ruffles made in the previous step against each other, right side of the top band to right side of the long ruffle band.

The top and straps are oriented downwards, sandwiched between the band and its lining.

Orient the top's seam allowances towards the back and the long ruffles' seam allowances towards the front (to avoid excess fabric thickness).

Sew them all around the band.

Turn to the right side and press carefully.

Orient the seam allowances of the bottom of the band upwards.

Pin the band and its lining to hold them together. (You can also baste them.)

Topstitch the front (only at the front top) in the ditch between the top and the front band as shown in the photo.

Topstitch the back band (only the back band) 3 mm from the top of the band.

Topstitch the back band (only the back band) in the ditch between the band and the ruffle.

Finally, topstitch the back band (only the back band) 3 mm from the bottom of the band to create the casing.

Slide the elastic into the back casing (passing between the small and large ruffle).

Pin and then secure the elastic on each side by stitching on the side seams of the bands. (2 cm seam allowances are included in the elastic measurements.)

Finally, topstitch the bottom of the front band by stitching in the ditch between the band and the ruffle.

STEP 6 - HEMMING

2 cm hems are provided, but I recommend trying on the top or dress to adjust the hem height.

Press a first 1 cm fold at the bottom of the short ruffle.

Press a second 1 cm fold and secure it with a seam 8 mm from the top of the fold or with small, invisible hand stitches.

Hem the long ruffle in the same way.

Tie the straps and your top or dress is finished!

I am available if needed: you can contact me by email at contact@louandmecouture.fr.

Happy sewing!

Lydie