Empire Waist Ruched Bust Tunic

Name: Empire Waist Ruched Bust Tunic
Brand: Minerva Patterns
SKU: 5935
Price: 5.00 EUR
Availability: InStock

Pattern #5935

A women's hip-length knit top with an empire seam under the bust: a self-lined upper front with a sweetheart neckline, ruched at the centre front with elastic thread, and a lower front gathered into the seam. Long sleeves set flat into an open armhole. Drafted to your own measurements. Recommended fabric: knit fabric with medium to high stretch, made from natural or blended fibres.

Tech. Description

Empire Waist Ruched Bust Tunic

When To Wear

Everyday wear with jeans, trousers or skirts.
Autumn, winter and spring, on its own or under a cardigan.

Key Design Features

Silhouette: Fitted above the empire seam, with gathered fullness in the lower front; for knit fabric with medium to high stretch.

Length: Hip length.

Neckline: Sweetheart neckline; the front edge is finished by stitching the two upper front layers together and turning them out, the back neckline is turned under and topstitched.

Front: Double-layer upper front ruched along a marked line at the centre with elastic thread; one-piece lower front gathered and joined to it under the bust.

Sleeves: Long, set into the open armhole before the side seams; sleeve and side seams sewn in one pass.

Back: Two pieces with a centre back seam pressed to the left; no darts and no closure.

Finishing: Hems of top and sleeves turned under 1.5 cm and topstitched with a twin needle to keep the stretch.

Level Of Difficulty

Beginner. Four pattern pieces and no closure; the techniques are ruching with elastic thread, gathering and sewing knit with stretch stitches.

Fabric Recommendations

Knit fabric with medium to high stretch, made from natural or blended fibres.

Additional Supplies

Elastic thread

Cutter's Must

From main fabric:
Upper Front – 2 pieces
Back – 2 pieces
Sleeve – 2 pieces
Lower Front – 1 piece

Tip: Cut pieces from knit fabrics should be sewn with a special elastic or narrow zigzag stitch. When serging, trim seam allowances to 0.6 – 0.8 cm. The hem allowance is topstitched with a twin needle to maintain elasticity.

Sewing Instructions

Place the two Upper Front pieces right sides together and stitch along the neckline. Clip into the corners and turn right side out. Stitch along the marking with elastic thread to ruche the center front.
Stitch the center back seam. Serge the seam and press it to the left. Align the Back and the Upper Front at the armhole and stitch the shoulder seams. Serge the seam and press towards the back. Serge the back neckline, fold inwards, covering the shoulder seam area at the neckline, and topstitch.
Sew a row of long gathering stitches along the upper edge of the Lower Front and gather. Stitch the Lower Front to the Upper Front. Serge the seam and press.
Set the Sleeve into the open armhole (flat, before the side seams), matching the notches. Serge the seam and press.
Stitch the side seam and the sleeve seam in one continuous step. Serge the seam and press towards the back.
Serge the bottom edge of the garment and the bottom edge of the sleeve. Fold to the wrong side, press, and topstitch.