Hello Hive

Today I thought my apprentice how to sew a camisole. Since she started leading how to sew with me I have taught her how to sew a basic skirt and top so far but before them we started with how to run the machine and to see basic stitches.

I was surprised at the speed of her learning and in just 3weeks is already sewing and her made her first set of outfit, both a traditional one and also the simple top and skirt she made.

Today I decided to take her through the process of sewing a camisole. I often hesitate to take my learners through the process of sewing camisoles or off shoulder outfits like this as it can be very tricky. Measurements that aren't stating from our shoulders are not easy to calculate for students

I also had my own fair share of this challenge when I started sewing. If you come down too much from the shoulder for this design, it ends up exposing ones bust or if in another case it goes too high you may not achieve the camisole design we want. For this we have to find out the standard measurements where the necklines wouldn't be too up or too low to expose the body.

To start with I took out the piece of scrap fabrics I have earlier used to sew an outfits for another customer. We got a bias we would be using to tape the edges and something with contrasting color to the fabric such that it can add some beautify to the camisole

To start with me measured out a complete bodice pattern adding some allowances so that the camisole can be a free one as against a fitted outfit.

For the off shoulder part I came down by 4" from the necklines and connected this to the armhole

Having cut the front block I equally cut out the back block in the same way. The 4" cut of from the measurements is now used to calculate for what will be used as the camisole strap.

After getting the perfect measurements I then cut out the bias used it to turn the necklines of the camisole and used 9" for the straps

You can test fit the camisole to check if the straps isn't too long to expose the body and if not the last thing to do is to stich the side seams.

The camisole came out nice but the fabric isn't too fit or the best choice for it.

It is important then to use the best fabrics more of a stretchy material that will sit well on the body contour. This was for practical purpose and I equally learnt a thing or two sewing this. I have giving my learner an assignment to replicate something similar of more creative to asses what she has learnt on how so far.