Camisole Top

sewingwitholive
May 12
3 min read

Updated: Jun 1

Step-by-Step Tutorial on How to Sew a Camisole Top Without Using a Pattern

Sew up your summer staple in under an hour! This stunning camisole top features adorable shoulder bows and can be styled as a cropped top, a longer blouse, or even a dress.

Talk about versatility! Best of all, you don’t need a pattern to make it.

Follow the step-by-step instructions below to create your own masterpiece! 🌙

This tutorial is simple enough for beginners - especially if you're using the Simple Sewing Guide for support

Remember to tag me in your beautiful creations on instagram @sewingwitholive

YOU WILL NEED:

Woven fabric: 1mx150cm (Cotton,linen or viscose)
2.5cm wide elastic x your bust measurement
Matching thread

NOTES

The seam allowance is 1 cm by default. I used the fabric's width for both the front and back (cut as a single piece). If your bust measurement is bigger than the fabric's width, you can go for the fabric's length (which might need more material). It's a good idea to measure yourself before getting the fabric to make sure the width and length work for your top.

MEASURING YOUR MAIN FABRIC PIECES

To determine the width of your top, measure your full bust and add 60cm. For the length, measure down from your high bust to the desired hem position. For a cropped top, aim for around 40cm in length, while for a longer top, target a length of about 50cm.

For example:

Full bust measurement = 84cm

84cm + 60cm = 144cm

CUTTING OUT

Step one From the main fabric, cut:

Top Main: 144x50cm (WxL as above)

Straps: four 45x10cm

Step #1

Fold the Strap pieces in half lengthwise with the right sides together.

Sew along the long edge and one short edge using a 1cm seam allowance. Clip the corner without cutting through any stitches, then turn the strap right side out and press with an iron. Repeat the process to create the remaining three straps.

Step #2

Fold your Top Main fabric in half with the right sides together, aligning the short edges. Sew the seam, then use an overlocker or zigzag stitch to finish it and press it. Finish the raw edges of the top and bottom of this fabric loop with an overlocker, pressing a 1cm hem towards the wrong side. Secure the hem in place with topstitching.

Step #3

Fold the top edge of the hem over by an additional 7.5cm. Press and sew a 5cm wide channel around the upper part of the hem, positioned 2.5cm below the top edge, with a 4cm gap to insert the elastic through.

ADDING THE ELASTIC

Step #1

Stretch the elastic slightly and hold it around the top of your bust where the top will sit.

Cut it at a length that feels comfortable. Thread the elastic through the channel at the top of the cami top using a safety pin then stitch the edges together with a zigzag stitch. Make sure your gathers are nice and even, then close the gap.

Step #2

Turn the edges of your Straps in by 1cm and iron them down.

Step #3

Experiment by wearing the top with the seam positioned at the center back. Determine where you want the Straps to go and secure them in position, aligning the ends with the initial stitching lines at the top of the elastic channel. Proceed to sew the Straps securely.