Spaghetti Strap Tiered Ruffle Top
A women's top with a straight interfaced upper edge, narrow rouleau straps and tiers of ruffles stitched onto marked lines on a princess-seamed body. Concealed zip in the left side seam.
When To Wear
- In summer, with shorts, jeans or a straight skirt.
- For a beach holiday or a warm evening out.
Key Design Features
Silhouette: Fitted at the bust, widening slightly over the hips. Upper, middle and lower ruffles are stitched around the body along marked lines.
Neckline: Straight upper edge across front and back, finished with an interfaced facing. Narrow straps folded lengthwise, stitched 0.5 cm from the fold and turned. Each strap is sewn to the front, then its length is adjusted on the body before the back end is attached.
Front: Centre front panel and two side front panels; a separate front ruffle is sewn to the upper edge of the front under the facing.
Back: Two centre back panels with a centre back seam, and two side back panels.
Closure: Concealed zip in the left side seam, with the facing turned and sewn to the zip tape.
Finishing: Ruffles finished with a narrow hem on the lower and side edges and overlocked on the upper edge. Hem overlocked, folded and topstitched 1.5 cm from the lower edge.
Level Of Difficulty
Intermediate. Princess seams, ruffles placed on marked lines, narrow hems on long ruffle edges, rouleau straps, and a concealed side zip finished into a facing.
Fabric Recommendations
Fabrics of natural or blended fibres.
Additional Supplies
- Concealed zip
- Fusible interfacing (front and back facings)
Cutting Plan
From main fabric:
- 1. Center back piece – 2 pieces
- 2. Side back piece – 2 pieces
- 3. Center front piece – 1 piece
- 4. Side front piece – 2 pieces
- 5. Front facing – 2 pieces
- 6. Back facing – 2 pieces
- 7. Front ruffle – 1 piece
- 8. Upper ruffle – 1 piece
- 9. Middle ruffle – 1 piece
- 10. Lower ruffle – 1 piece
From fusible interfacing:
- 1. Back facing – 1 piece
- 2. Front facing – 1 piece
Sewing Instructions
- Fuse interfacing to the back and front facings.
- Stitch the center back seam and the princess seams on the back and front. Serge and press seams towards the center.
- Stitch the side seams, leaving an opening for the zipper in the left seam. Serge and press the right seam towards the back. Serge and press the left seam open, pressing the zipper opening flat.
- Serge the upper edge of the ruffles. Finish the lower edge and side edges of the ruffles with a narrow hem.
- Mark the ruffle attachment lines on the top. Attach the upper, middle, and lower ruffles along the marked lines. Attach the front ruffle to the upper edge of the front piece.
- Stitch the back and front facings together at the right side seam. Press seams open. Attach the interfaced facings to the upper edge of the top. Serge the seam and press towards the facing. Serge the lower edge of the inner facing.
- Cut a strap. Fold the strap lengthwise right sides together and stitch 0.5 cm from the fold. Turn the strap right side out and press. Attach the strap to the front piece.
- Put on the top, adjust the strap length, and attach the back end to the back piece.
- Insert the zipper into the left side seam.
- Fold the upper edges of the top facings right sides together. Before reaching 5 mm from the edges of the concealed closure, fold back the inner facing and pin it to the upper edge. On the right side of the top, fold back the seam allowances along the zipper and pin them to the upper edge over the facing. Stitch the upper edges. Fold the seam allowances along the closure to the wrong side. Fold the inner facing up and topstitch it to the seam allowance 1-2 mm from the seam. Fold the facing to the wrong side and attach it to the zipper tape. Topstitch the lower edge of the facing into the seam.
- Serge the lower edge of the top, fold up, and topstitch 1.5 cm from the lower edge.
