How to Sew a DIY Puff-Sleeve Top With Dropped Shoulders

Tools and materials:

• Puff-sleeve top sewing pattern
• About 1½ yards of fabric
• 1-inch elastic
• Bias tape
• Pins
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Safety pin
• Iron

1. Make the pattern

Download and print the pattern. Fold your fabric. Lay the pattern on top and cut out the pieces as directed.

2. Sew the bodice

Sew the bodice using a French seam for all the seams.

Here’s how to do it. Lay the front and back pieces wrong sides together. Pin around the shoulders and side seams. This keeps the seam allowance on the right side of the fabric, opposite of how you would sew it normally. You can use a zipper foot to help you sew closer to the edge. Press the seam flat.

Then turn the bodice inside out so the right sides are together. Fold the fabric along the seam line. Press again to flatten. Sew the second seam as close to the edge as possible to fully enclose the seam. None of your first seam allowance should show. Turn your bodice right side out to show a beautifully sewn bodice.

3. Sew the sleeves

Sew each sleeve together.

Use a French seam to create a loop.

Sew two parallel basting stitches on one side.

Pull on both threads to gather the fabric in. Repeat for the second sleeve.

4. Attach the sleeves

Make sure to match the gathered top to the armhole, adjusting the gathers as needed. Match up the sleeve and shoulder seams.

Pin to secure the sleeve in place.

Sew each sleeve with a French seam.

5. Make the sleeve casing

At the bottom of the sleeve, fold in ⅛ of an inch. Press to flatten.

Fold in an additional 1 ¼ to 1 ½ inches. Pin in place. Sew with a straight stitch as close to the pinned edge as possible. Leave a 1 ½ inch space unsewn.

Cut a piece of elastic to measure 10 inches. Use a safety pin at one end and place the elastic through the unsewn space. Tunnel the elastic through. Join the two ends of the elastic together. Stitch to secure. Insert the elastic back into the space. Distribute the gathers evenly. Sew the gap closed with a straight stitch.

Repeat for the other sleeve.

6. Sew the neckline

Match the two shoulder seams to each other. Secure with a pin. Secure the front and back centers with a pin.

Lay the bias tape along the pinned neckline to determine the length. Fold your bias tape to match the entire neckline length and cut off any excess. Fold in the bias tape ⅛ of an inch at the top. Then fold in half.

Sew the bias tape along the right side of the fabric, starting at the center back. Then topstitch the bias, making sure to stitch the bias with any excess fabric. Turn the bias to the wrong side of the neckline.

Stitch it down. To see how I do it, watch from 6:50 to 8:05.

7. Make the hem

Fold in ⅛ of an inch. Press to flatten.

Fold an additional 1 ¼ to 1 ½ inches all around. Press. Pin in place. Sew across.

DIY puff-sleeve top

You’ve made this elegant and simple puff sleeve blouse. Please let me know in the comments how easy it was for you and how many compliments you received when wearing it.