Sewing Tutorial: Amelia Cropped Basic Singlet

The Amelia Cropped Basic Singlet is a great basic for a beginner sewer as the straps can be made adjustable or fixed depending on the sewer’s abilities. There are no zippers or other fastenings so side splits have been added to allow the garment to be pulled over the shoulders without needing a zipper.
The style is fully lined and if made with fixed straps rather than adjustable straps it could even be reversible.
The top length is approximately 28cm from high strap point to hem and is designed to be a loose relaxed fit.

Also don’t be afraid to ask questions in the comments below if you need. I’m here to help. So let’s get started.

To begin you will need the following things

Materials

• Amelia Cropped Basic Singlet paper pattern
• 0.6-0.6m fabric
• 0.35m lining
• 2 x ring and slider (optional)
• cotton thread

Tools

• scissors
• pins
• sticky tape
• sewing machine
• overlocker
• iron

Tips

• Ensure your fabric is washed, dried, and pressed before you start cutting. There is nothing worse than washing your beautiful garment and it shrinks, or even more annoying the lining shrinks and the main doesn’t so your garment is all pulled out of shape and is unwearable.

Step 1 

Cut all main and lining pieces accurately on the correct grain, ensuring all notches are clipped.

Beginner tip* It might help to pin the pattern pieces to your fabric once is cut out so you can easily work out what is what while you are sewing. Also take care not to over clip your notches, because we don’t want them running close to the seam allowance which will create holes in your garment. 

Beginner tip* If you can afford to purchase a rotary cutter and cutting mat, I find this more accurate and time-efficient. 

Step 2 

Sew straps, trim seam allowance and turn through. Press then top stitch if desired. Attach ring and slider if making straps adjustable, then set aside.

Beginner tip* Instructions of how to attach ring and slider with images can be found here

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Step 3

Sew bust darts on main and lining. Press darts down.

Beginner tip* If needed you can draw the dart lines onto the fabric with dressmaker’s chalk to ensure you sew a neat straight dart.

Step 4 

Overlock side and hem edges of main and lining separately.

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Step 5

Pin right sides together of main and stitch side seams closed to split notch. Repeat on lining.

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Step 6 

Press side seams open then press hem seam allowance up on both main and lining.

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Step 7 

Sew hem and split opening in one continuous stitch.

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Step 8 

Next pin the straps to the main of your garment using the notches for placement. Tack stitch in place using 0.5-0.8cm seam allowance.

Beginner tip* Tape can be used to hold the straps in place when sewing. I use tape because it holds the straps in place better than pins on spaller thicker pieces of fabric and is safer when sewing. I try to avoid sewing over pins as much as possible, as they can break and/or bend your sewing needle and even cause damage to your machine.

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Step 9 

Place right sides together of main and lining and pin around front neck, armhole and back edge. (Ensure straps are folded down between the layers)

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Step 10

Sew along top edge, then clip turn through and press.

Beginner tip* Do not skip clipping and pressing, this ensures your garment gives a neat professional finish to your garment and will ensure it sits nice and flat on the body.

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Step 11

Finish your garment by giving it a good press and then you are done.

The Amelia Cropped Basic Singlet is now complete. How did you go? Let me know in the comments below.

Don’t have an overlocker? I have two other top patterns that don’t need an overlocker available for purchase here and here along with more sewing tutorials.

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