This sewalong is all about you and that stunner of a keyhole neckline. So classic!
Last time we sewed up our shoulder seams and side seams, and we finished the centre front edges of the blouse. If you're not caught up yet you can find instructions for starting the bodice here.
Today we're going to start by hemming the unfinished edge of the neckline. We're doing a double hem so that we hide all the raw edges.
Starting at the circle at the bottom of the neckline and finishing at the top of the front edge, fold the blouse in wrong sides together by 5mm, and press. Then fold over a further 5mm and press again.
Pin the hem in place and edgestitch.
Repeat the same step for the other front edge of the blouse.
Then we're ready to start making the ties!
Take the tie pieces and place the centre back edges right sides together and pin. Sew the seam using a 1cm seam allowance, before pressing open. We recommend you don't finish this little edge because it will add unnecessary bulk.
Open the tie out and with right sides together, refold it, this time lengthways.
Pin around the open edges from the Version 1 notches, which are marked on the pattern. From the centre of the tie, it's the second set of notches outwards.
Pin either side of these notches, leaving an open section in the middle.
Using a 1cm seam allowance, starting at one notch, sew down the length of the tie, pivoting at the corner, and continuing to the end. Repeat this on the other side of the tie.
To reduce bulk, trim your seam allowance around where you have sewn down to 5mm. Do not trim the parts where you haven't sewn.
Clipping the corners will help you when it comes to turning your points out.
At the open section of the tie, fold back the 1cm seam allowance on the top side, and press.
Turn the tie the right way out. This is a little tricky! A large knitting needle is really useful here. Use the blunt end to turn the ties out.
It might help to use the sharp end of the knitting needle to gently push the corners out. Then use a pin to tease them out even further, getting as sharp a point as you can.
Press each end of the tie up to the open section, making sure the seam is exactly on the edge of the tie all the way around.
Now, place the unpressed edge of the tie together with the blouse along the neckline and pin, matching the seam on the tie with the centre back notch on the blouse. You should find these two pieces fit together perfectly.
Using a 1cm seam allowance, stitch the tie and the blouse together.
Press the seam allowance up towards the tie, before folding the open section of the tie down, wrong sides together.
The seam allowance you pressed over earlier should now sit on top of the line of stitching you have just sewn.
With a slipstitch (follow our Stitch School Tutorial here), sew the gap up. This will hide all the raw edges and leave your neckline looking neat and pristine. That's what we're going for right?
If you have made it through all of those steps, go you! You now deserve to grab a cup of tea, maybe even a biccie, and put those feet up!
We'll be back in action with the cuffs and sleeves in the next sewalong. And as always, if you're stuck don't fret. Let us know and we'll do our best to help.