Sew a top

1 Download and print the pattern from the September 2016 templates pack (click the link above). For the front and back top, cut two on the fold. For the frill, cut a strip measuring: small: 21cm x 1.41m; medium: 21cm x 1.45m; large: 21cm x 1.49m.

2 Neaten the side edges of the front and back pieces by overlocking or zigzag stitching. Match the front and back top pieces together with the right sides facing. Pin the side seams and stitch together. Press the seams open.

3 Make up two strips of bias binding. Cut the strips 4cm wide and long enough to fit around each armhole. Pass the bias strip through a bias binding folder, pressing the folds in as you pull it along the strip.

4 Carefully fold and press the binding in half again lengthways. Slot the folded binding over the cut curved armhole edges, then machine edge stitch in place. Neaten the two narrow ends of the frill strip and stitch them together to make a circle. Press the seam open.

5 Neaten around one of the edges of the circle by folding and pressing 1cm onto the wrong side. Lay the straight edge of a length of edging lace onto the wrong side along the fold line, then stitch in place. Begin and finish stitching the lace at the frill joining seam; this seam becomes the centre back. Fold the frill in half along the centre back seam and make a mark on the opposite fold line on the raw edge.

6 Find the centre and make a mark on the front and back top pieces. Match the centre back seam of the frill to one of these marks, and the other to the mark made on the frill. Pin the frill to the top raw edge of the front and back pieces with the wrong side of the frill facing the right side of the back and front.