Bondi Sewalong

We’ve been having so much fun with our Bondi Sewalong on our YouTube channel but we wanted to make sure you had our tips here, too The Bondi pattern from Sew to Grow features a back yoke with a pleat and a curved hem that is slightly longer in the back, and it’s a perfect top for summer. 

Materials Needed

• Domestic sewing machine (check out these BERNINA’s that can be delivered to your door)
• Optional: Serger
• Fabric (pre-washed)
• Sewing pattern
• Chalk marker
• Pins
• Scissors or rotary cutter
• Iron

Steps

• Prep your fabric and pattern.

  • Take the time to prewash your fabric so that any shrinking that occurs is before you start sewing. This will ensure that your Bondi top fits according to the measurements on the pattern. 
  • Lay out your fabric and pattern. Transfer any markings from the pattern onto your fabric using a chalk marker. If you need to flatten a particularly bad crease in your pattern, use a dry iron and give your pattern a quick press.
  • Bonus! If you want to take the time to fussy cut your yoke, use this video tutorial from Mindy.

• Create the pleats. 

  • Fold the fabric where the pleat marks are and use your chalk marker to draw the lines.
  • Pin the pleats by matching the outer pins to the center pin, creating a fold that will become your pleat.
  • Lengthen the stitch on your machine to between 4 – 6 to create a basting stitch and secure the pleats in place. Basting them down will keep your pleats from shifting when you attach the yoke.

• Start your top assembly.

  • Make sure to adjust your machine’s stitch length back to normal before you start assembling your top!
  • Sew the top straight edge of your back piece to the straight edge of your yoke using a ¼ inch seam.
  • Iron the seam and top stitch about ⅛ inch away from the seam line for a clean finish.
  • Attach the front piece of the shirt to the shoulder pieces by matching the shorter ends and pinning them together.
  • Sew with a ⅜ inch seam and then use a zigzag stitch to prevent fraying. Note that if you’re using a serger you won’t need to do the extra step of the zigzag stitch.
  • Join the sides of the shirt from the armpit to the bottom edge with a ⅜ inch seam, followed by a zigzag stitch unless you have a serger that is.

• Hem your Bondi top.

  • For the bottom hem and sleeves, fold the fabric over twice (about ¼ inch each fold) and iron it flat.
  • Sew the hem with a regular stitch. Use a longer stitch length (around 3) for a decorative topstitch.

• Use bias tape to finish the neckline.

  • Prepare your bias tape. Align the center of your bias tape with the center back of the neckline and pin in place.
  • Start sewing the bias tape a few inches away from the pin to leave room for joining the ends just like you would for joining the binding on a quilt.
  • Sew the tape around the neckline, making sure to gently stretch it as you go to fit the curve of the neckline, but don’t sew to the end! Leave a couple of inches free to make it easier to join.
  • Overlap the ends of the bias tape at the center back and sew them together. Trim any excess and press the seam open to reduce bulk.
  • Now that the ends are joined, continue stitching the bias tape down to finish the neckline.

• Finishing touches

  • Give your Bondi top a final press, making sure that you iron all seams and hems for a crisp finish.
  • Model your beautiful new Bondi top!

Now you have a beautiful, handmade top for your Me Made wardrobe! And if you’d like to watch a video tutorial, check out this video with Mindy on YouTube. Make sure to check out our YouTube Channel for more great tips, tricks, and tutorials from Mindy and all the Mayhem Makers.