Gorgeous Corset Top With Sleeves Pattern Tutorial

Its.rikke
by Its.rikke
10 Materials
$25
3 Hours
Medium

One of my followers asked me to make a corset top with sleeves pattern tutorial and, of course, her wish is my command!


I upcycled some fabric for this project by using fabric from old curtains for the puff sleeves, which is a win-win in my eyes.


Follow me as I show you a step-by-step guide on how to sew a corset top with sleeves. Let’s get cracking!

Tools and materials:

  • Medium, heavyweight non-stretch fabric
  • Bodice pattern
  • Scissors
  • Grommets
  • Masking tape
  • Measuring tape
  • Zip ties
  • Mini grommet setter
  • Fabric hole puncher
  • Sewing machine
Cutting out the pattern

1. Cut out the pattern

Start by cutting out the fabric with the pattern pieces. The same pattern goes for the back and front of the corset, with the front cut on the fold and the back, cut as two individual pieces.


You will also need to cut out a lining layer. I opted for the same fabric as the bodice (so I cut out the pattern twice in this case).

Cutting out the pattern

When cutting out the back piece, fold the curved part of the pattern piece.

Cutting out the pattern

2. Place the pieces and sew

Now it’s time to place your pieces together. Add the back pieces to the front, and make sure to do the same with the lining.


You should have assembled your fabric pieces and lining pieces separately, not attached. Remember to put the pieces right sides together.

Sewing seams

Next, sew along the side seam and shoulder seam. Do the same for the lining.

Attaching fabric pieces

Once your lining and main fabric pieces are sewn along the sides and shoulder seams, attach the lining to the fabric piece, right sides together and sew along the outer edges, except for the bottom edge.

Making slits

3. Make slits

Snip into the curved edges on the chest part, making fine slits and as close to the seam as possible.


Turn your bodice inside out once your curved edges have been clipped.

Stitching armholes

4. Stitch the armholes

With your bodice now turned inside out, stitch the arm curves together with a zigzag stitch.

Using masking tape for boning tail placement

5. Add the boning channels

Fold the corset in half to find the middle and measure where you’d like the boning tails to be placed.


Use masking tape, cut it in half so you have perfect sizing. Use the tape to see where you’d like the boning tails; I love this method as the tape is easily removed.

Creating the boning channels

Once you have decided on the style with your masking tape, topstitch the main fabric and the lining together, on the outskirts of the tape, thus creating the boning channels.

Peeling off the tape

Carefully remove the tape once you’re done.

Creating and cutting the pattern

6. Cut out the pattern

It’s time for some pattern manipulation! Cut your sleeve pattern down the middle until you reach the arm length.


Cut across to the edge of the pattern, but not all the way. The edges should still be attached.


Move the curve pieces upwards until there are 3 inches between them and the upper arm part.


Tip: Pin the pattern in place, with masking tape so that it doesn’t move, and you have the correct measurements.

Tracing around the pattern

Trace around the sleeve pattern and cut it out.

Cutting the fabric

7. Cut out the fabric

Next, cut out two sleeve pieces using the puff sleeve pattern.

Make a gathering stitch

8. Sew a gathering stitch

Using a long stretch stitch, sew along the curved part of the pattern. This will be used to gather the stitch to create a puffy look.


While sewing, once you have stitched all around the curve, go back and sew another stitch right next to the stitch you just did.


Tip: Do not back-stitch this part.

Folding and sewing seams

9. Sew the side seams

Sew the side seams by folding the sleeve, right sides together.

Gathering the top sleeve

10. Gather

Gather the sleeve so that it fits in with the armed piece of your corset.

Attaching the fabrics

11. Attach the sleeve to the bodice.

Once the gathering is done, turn your sleeve the wrong side up and attach it to the bodice, which is right-side up.


Match the arm holds together and sew together. Once the sleeves are attached, hem the sleeves.

Modifying the zip ties

12. Attach the zip ties

I used zip ties for the boning and cut them an inch shorter than the boning channel, so it fits snugly through the channel.


I also rounded the edges of the zip ties to prevent them from poking out through the fabric.

Inserting the zip ties

Insert your zip ties into each stitched channel.

Cutting a strip

13. Finish the bottom

Now, finish off your bodice with a lovely, neat look.


Measure the bottom of your corset, add 2 inches to the measurement, and cut out a strip of fabric.

Layering the strip

Layer the strip on the bottom of your corset, right sides together.


Stitch the hemline. The side edges of the strip are turned inwards to create a nice finish.

Making a bias binding

Now, fold the strip twice so that it encapsulates the raw edge of the bodice. This also gives it a nice edge when folded to the wrong side of the bodice. Stitch it down as shown.


Tip: Look up “bias binding” so that you can see what I mean should my explanation sound a little confusing.

Measuring holes

14. Add your grommets

Now it’s time to add your grommets to the back of your corset.


Measure and mark where you’d like your grommets to be placed. Mine were about an inch apart.

Using a fabric hole puncher

Secure your grommets by using two tools. The first tool, a fabric hole puncher, punches the hole through the fabric. 

Using a grommet setter

The second, a grommet setter, is to secure the grommet in place.

String through ribbon

After the grommets are installed, run some kind of ribbon in a zigzag pattern, through the grommets.

How to sew a corset top: Completed top

Corset top with sleeves pattern

There you have it! Now you know how to sew a corset top. Thanks for following my tutorial. If you give this puff sleeve corset top pattern a go, please let me know in the comments!

Suggested materials:
  • Fabric
  • Pattern   (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1poVPZjrlY1cr3ga2yyPLqpZqMK2ZXMCy/view)
  • Scissors
See all materials

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Comments
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2 of 8 comments
  • Angela McCormick Angela McCormick on Apr 04, 2021

    Well done... I also discovered zip ties for boning. Another bargain find is 5mm rope from a cheap shop ($4 for 15m) to use as piping instead of paying $4/m at the fabric shop

  • Luna Luna on Oct 21, 2021

    So cute! I love it so much, although at my age I doubt I'll ever wear anything like this again.

    And yes, that's not how you tie a corset. Hopefully you already know the right way.

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