How to Stitch a Top: 5/6 The Side Seams

In this video you will learn how to stitch the side seams and finish the slits of a top.

To learn how to stitch the sleeves, watch the previous video.

Spread out the garment flat on top of the table and fold the right sides of the front and back pieces together.

Pick up one sleeve and align the edges of both folds, making sure both ends of the armhole seam coincide.

We shall stitch past the underarm seam and down the side seam till the notch marking the beginning of the slit.

If you like a fitted top, you can increase the width of the seam while stitching down.

To do this, mark a point at 1.5 inches from the edge, alongside the notch marking the side slit, as shown.

Mark another point, 1.5 inches from the edge, at the waistline.

Place one end of the sleeve under the needle, leaving a half inch seam allowance, and make a reverse stitch before proceeding to the armhole.

Align the armhole seams together and continue stitching downwards, with the seam allowances facing upwards.

Reverse stitch over the armhole seamline to secure it.

Continue stitching down to the waistline along the side seamline, passing through the one-and-a-half inch marks made earlier.

When you reach the notch marking the slit at the end of the side seam, make a reverse stitch before cutting the thread.

We shall now finish the raw edges of the fabric along the side slits of the top.

To do this, fold the raw edges of the slit inwards, from the end of the side seam to the bottom, as shown.

Now, tuck it inwards again to make a double fold.

Once this is done, place the end of the fold under the needle.

Start stitching it in place and stop half an inch past the end of the slit.

Lift the presser foot with the needle inside and pivot the fabric by 90 degrees.

Fold the other edge of the slit, push the presser foot down and continue stitching.

Reverse stitch once, half way across the side seam and continue for another half of an inch.

Pivot the garment by another 90 degrees and continue stitching downwards along the fold.

When you reach the end, Stitch off the edge, cut the thread and repeat the same process to finish the second slit.

Repeat the same process for the other side.

Make sure the stitches are uniform.

You have now learnt how to stitch the side seams and finish the slits of a top.

Watch the last video to finish the hem and complete your garment.