DIY Smocked Summer Top: Pattern Making & Sewing Tutorial!

[@IssaSia]

Gosh! Been browsing around on how I can cut ad sew a puff sleeves on shirred, and had not been successful! now I can clearly understand how it is! I'm gonna try this method!! But I think this video works for me! Thank you so much!

[@LaurenJohnson]

I’m so glad!

[@25LILLIE]

This is a best video for explaining how to cut pattern for a shirred dress or top cutting for the armholes! Thank you so much!💕

[@janesmith5906]

These shirts were so cute.

[@LaurenJohnson]

Thanks so much Jane!

[@delizaaurora]

Me, an inexperienced beginner: *She Sewed Over the PINS?!?!???* Absolutely LOVE the tops tho, thanks so much for sharing how to do this style!!!🙏🏻💝

[@allisontripi]

Lauren! I am so obsessed with all of your videos. They are SO educational. I've been a sewer for years and have been terrified of smocking. You make it look so easy! Thank you, doll. You're amazing. 💕

[@LaurenJohnson]

Thank you so much Allison!! This is the sweetest comment!!

[@cindyneel328]

You look amazing in this top and it's so fun to watch you make!

[@MaddieLynn]

I started a smock/shiring top earlier this week and loved seeing yours come together. I think making this style is my new obsession!

[@LaurenJohnson]

Loved how your top turned out Madison, and that pink dress as well!

[@MaddieLynn]

@@LaurenJohnson Thanks!

[@rosegordon4297]

I've just brought myself red and white poka dot material to make a summer top, then I came across your video, I will definitely be using your pattern. Thank you for sharing. 😊

[@AngelaCoffman]

Very cute! This could easily be adapted for a dress too.

[@Anna31415926]

How cute! When I first saw the shirt I thought it would be WAY too difficult to sew but after watching the video, it might actually be in my skill set 😅

[@LaurenJohnson]

Yay, thank you so much Anna! It really is an approachable technique!

[@birdieellenberis6741]

I love this top. Thanks for showing it.

[@ladeadolce8624]

Made this a few days ago, got lots of compliments. Thanks.

[@KKN13]

This top attached to a skirt would make a lovely summer dress!

[@LaurenJohnson]

That's one of the next things on my project list!

[@janiekale7900]

You make the cutest clothes! Thanks for sharing your talents. 😊

[@LaurenJohnson]

Thank you so much Janie! I really appreciate that! 😊

[@silent7019]

it's such a beautiful top and so is you.

[@yazzymarr]

These two shirts are so cute!

[@pamelasandoval8091]

I will be making this top. I love it. It's the style I wished for back in 1980 but was not allowed.

[@LaurenJohnson]

Aw, well I'm glad you can make it now! Thank you for watching!

[@LoquepiensaMich]

You make it look so simple and easy !

[@LaurenJohnson]

Ah, thank you so much!

[@jessicamoore8335]

I really found this helpful for those who want to learn how to sew like me I’ve always wanted to learn how to sew !! great video 👏

[@LaurenJohnson]

Thank you so much Jessica! That's exciting that you want to learn to sew! I hope you give it a try!

[@raphaelacoletti3082]

I’ve been looking for a top like these! Amazing! Thank you so much ❤️

[@LaurenJohnson]

Ah, yay! So glad you found my video Raphaela! 🥰

[@taytumhubert]

Oh my gosh, I have so many fun projects to work on the next coming months!!!

[@LaurenJohnson]

Ahh, thanks so much Taytum!!

[@nanihassan5118]

Easy to understand.. Thank you very much.. ❤ I from Malaysia.. 😊

[@LaurenJohnson]

Aw, thank you so much for watching! 😊

[@LumiStitch]

such a great and easy to follow tutorial! Thank you! can't wait to make it!

[@josietriplefive]

How lovely!! I will be following this tutorial once my package with elastic thread arrives!!😊🤍

[@LaurenJohnson]

Aw, thank you so much Kamryn! Let me know how it goes!

[@gpplus3647]

Thanks for lovely blouse

[@misocrever]

These are soooooooo adorable!!! 🤩🤩🤩

[@felicityannchen]

LOVE this style of top!! It reminds me of ones I’ve almost bought from yesstyle- so on trend!! You explain everything so well and the finished product looks amazing 😍

[@LaurenJohnson]

Thank you so much Felicity!! I really appreciate that-- I'm planning a YesStyle DIY soon!

[@nicolavalentine8120]

Such a cute top, looks really nice. Thanks for sharing. Definitely want to try making this top.

[@LaurenJohnson]

Thank you so much Nicola! I hope you give it a try!

[@nicolavalentine8120]

@@LaurenJohnson Your welcome ☺️

[@karenmiller3300]

Really good video thanks…not smocked yet but definitely going to now!

[@LaurenJohnson]

Yay, thank you so much Karen! Hope you love it!

[@dearlymonica]

Hi Lauren! OMG, I LOOOOVEEE that smocked top! Looks so cute, so perfect for summer days! And you explain everything so, so well! Thank you SO MUCH! :)

[@LaurenJohnson]

Aww, thank you SO much Monica! I'm so glad everything was clear!

[@dearlymonica]

@@LaurenJohnson you're welcome! :)

[@blotchilim1980]

Hi! Thanks for this video! I found a cute shirred dress in a store, but the straps were too long 🥲 maybe i need to make one on my own.

[@educationalspecialist_caryna]

Thanks so much for sharing this...helpful!!

[@missannie8012]

I love this. hope to get some fabric soon and get too it.

[@LaurenJohnson]

Thank yo u so much Annie!

[@binitkumar630]

Thanks for the video . I made the same top. It comes amazing. 😊😊😊 Thankuu so much.

[@LaurenJohnson]

Amazing, so glad it was helpful!

[@tammymasson2343]

What a perfect and helpful video! Your tops turned out amazing and beautiful!

[@LaurenJohnson]

Thank you so much Tammy! 🥰

[@cathytarapacz]

Can't wait to try this top thanku

[@LaurenJohnson]

Thanks so much Cathy, hope you enjoy it!

[@immi1528]

The video is so cosy 😻😻

[@LaurenJohnson]

Aw, thank you!!

[@fashionimpression681]

Wow 👏 superb top I will make one for my daughter 😍

[@LaurenJohnson]

Wonderful! Happy sewing!!

[@fashionimpression681]

@@LaurenJohnson Thank u🙂

[@fatimas3364]

Not sure if anyone commented about this already but you can use gift wrapping or brown craft paper when drawing out the pattern for your top!! It's a lot easier and more convenient for you :) Also, amazing vid, I really want to make this sometime lol subscribed!

[@LaurenJohnson]

Great suggestion, thank you so much!!

[@missyslittlethingsinlife1920]

Very cute! I used to make tops & dresses like this when I was young. BTW, this is not smocking. It is called shearing. I've been smocking for decades. It is a totally different technique. Shearing might have, at best, a quasi smocking look or intended look. Great video on shearing! 😊

[@LaurenJohnson]

Thank you so much! Yes, I’ve always wanted to learn how to smock! My mom used to have heirloom sewing books that I’d look through, but still haven’t learned- one day! 🤗

[@missyslittlethingsinlife1920]

@LaurenJohnson so easy! That is, if you can hand sew, embroider, or cross stitch, you can smock. It helps to be able to count. LOL! Smocking Arts Guild of America is a great place to start.

[@SirenBeauty4u]

Wow😮👌👌🌻🌻loved it

[@cassie.G]

Looooved watching this! So cute. Thank you for your time on this! 💕

[@LaurenJohnson]

Thank you so so much Cassie!!! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

[@empressnoel1661]

So cute! Thanks for sharing!

[@LaurenJohnson]

Thank you so much for watching Noel!

[@malinip1]

Beautiful❤️Thank you for sharing 😊

[@LaurenJohnson]

Thank you so much Malini!

[@shimnasr2502]

Thank you very much It’s so good idea 💫✨

[@LaurenJohnson]

Thank you so much! ❤️

[@sanishamaharjan2703]

i made it yayyy thankyou so much for the great video :)

[@LaurenJohnson]

Aww, yay!! Thank you so much for using my tutorial!!

[@Hopeaisha]

Perfect perfect I love it and I will make one for me 🥰

[@louisesalam5040]

Hi Lauren! You're amazing! Need your suggestion: dress top done in smoking and a bit tight. If I undo the smoking stitching, how much more in width will I get on top? Thank you in advance. Louise

[@yokaikawaii]

You can use It off shoulder? Greatings from México

[@mariamatos3944]

Beautiful lovely😊

[@savithrachathurangani6093]

Thank you ❤️

[@LaurenJohnson]

Thanks for watching!!

[@meenkashisakalley589]

I like it thanks for sharing the tips it is easy please let me know how to make. Selves measure thanks

[@sousourahmani5169]

Very very nice 😍😍😍😍😍👍

[@LaurenJohnson]

Thank you!!

[@crashofthemoons]

Love it! What was your tension set to?

[@LaurenJohnson]

Thank you Jennifer! On my machine, I turn the tension to around 1, but I always experiment with the individual fabric to make sure the elastic thread is laying flat. ❤️

[@bebeeru3066]

This is so cute! I love it, good jobs! Definitely more videos like this. I also also your style, please consider some styling videos using your own made by me pieces.

[@LaurenJohnson]

Thank you so much! I'll have some styling videos coming up this month!!

[@kyutoprincessa9948]

Beautiful

[@LaurenJohnson]

Thank you so much!

[@kyutoprincessa9948]

Ur welcome

[@AnitaPrajapati828]

Nice 👍

[@laychailee2467]

This is such a beautiful top which I want to make. Watched it SO MANY times. Just not sure how to draw the underarm on the bodice.. Like how much do you deduct from the corner. So lost here. Appreciate your clarification. Thank you so much

[@LaurenJohnson]

Hi there, thank you so much! There are a couple of ways you could do it, and it doesn’t have to be super precise! You can trace the underarm from an existing garment, or measure your underarm area and copy that onto the paper. I also have a ruler which had an underarm shape that I sometimes use. The main purpose here is for the sleeve to sit farther down so that it doesn’t fall off of your shoulders. I hope this helps!

[@laychailee2467]

Thank you for your very prompt response. Will try asap

[@jennistevenson796]

Love this. I wondered approximately how much elastic thread did you use please ?

[@LaurenJohnson]

Hi Jenni, I don't remember exactly, but not more than one spool! Thank you so much for watching!

[@alexist.5598]

If i wanted to make a shirred dress top but with a very poofy dress would i make them separately or would i just make a triangle type pattern? Every shirred dress video ive seen uses just a rectangle to make the dress so then the dress falls flat and i really want the dress part to be poofy!

[@dayantisaini8756]

Thanku so much mam lv it

[@stephanieneuerburg]

Hi Lauren! I would love to try and make a dress from this tutorial. Do you have any advice for measurements if your hips are (significantly) wider than your bust?

[@LaurenJohnson]

Hi Stephanie! Thank you so much for watching! I made a dress using this same technique, and I have a full video of that process- I believe it’s called summer sundress on my channel. 😊 The way I made that dress, I doubled the bust measurement for the main part of the dress, so after shirring you’re left with quite a bit of fullness for the waist and hip area. I hope this helps!

[@nassimakhiar158]

J'ai adoré votre vidéo mais je suis triste de ne pouvoir réaliser le patron de la Manche ,je ne comprends pas l'anglais et je n'arrive pas à voir les mesures .😢

[@Nadhiyalifestyle]

Thank you mam 💘😊 tamilnadu

[@Laurenloveslaughter]

I love these so much Lauren! I’ve been wanting some dresses in this style as they’re really easy to breastfeed in but haven’t been able to find ones in fabric I love, so might see if I can give it a go (probably with the help of my grandma 😝haha!) That Rifle paper co fabric is so pretty and I love the white one too! 💕💕💕

[@LaurenJohnson]

Thank you so much Lauren! I'm planning to do a dress in this style as well! I hope you give it a go-- I'd love to see the result! :)

[@emberstaples2978]

very nice tutorial, i have a question, are the measurements in inches or in cm?

[@LaurenJohnson]

Hi Ember, thank you so much! They are in inches!

[@ImSewExcited]

Love the top! Do the sleeves stay on your shoulders?

[@LaurenJohnson]

Thank you! Yes they do!

[@addieh5791]

Hi! This is a great tutorial, but I am just a little confused on the sleeve part... the 9 is how long the sleeve goes down from the top of your shoulder correct? And then is the 9 what you added the 3.5 to to get 12.5? Sorry if that makes no sense haha😅 For example, if I wanted my sleeve to be 10 inches, then I add 3.5 to it to get 13.5? And that would be the length on the sleeve from the top of my shirt in the front to the top of the shirt in the back? I am a little confused, but writing it out actually made me understand where I was confused (I think)😂 please correct me if I am not understanding!❤️ Edit: I think I get it. You wanted the sleeve to connect the necklines with nine inches, but you wanted to add elastic so you added 3.5... correct??😅 my brain is a disaster sometimes haha

[@LaurenJohnson]

Hey Addie, thank you so much for watching! Sorry for my delay getting back to you-- you've got it! I wanted the distance to be nine inches after it was gathered, so the 3.5 was some extra room for the elastic. Let me know if you have any other questions! ❤️

[@addieh5791]

@@LaurenJohnson thanks so much. This tutorial is really easy to understand me great for beginners (like me), but for some reason I just couldn’t wrap my head around that part 😂 Also, thanks for responding in the first place! Most of the time I ask anyone a question it gets lost in the sea of comments haha. I have just subscribed to you!❤️

[@LaurenJohnson]

@@addieh5791 Aw, thanks so much for subscribing! ❤️ Totally understand-- the same thing happens to me when I read sewing instructions. 😂

[@addieh5791]

@@LaurenJohnson ok so... I ran into something new lol... should I make the sleeve hole a bit larger than I think, because the shirring will shrink them? Or does nothing really happen when shirred? I don’t have a curved ruler like you, so I am eyeballing it, too.

[@LaurenJohnson]

Hey Addie, sorry for my delay! 💜 I didn't find it needed to be wider since the elastic stretches when I'm wearing the shirt!

[@whowantstoknow2617]

What would you do if you wanted to raise the neckline a bit?

[@LaurenJohnson]

Hi there! You would want to make the shirt front and back piece a bit longer, and cut the armhole a bit deeper!

[@rachelelizabethjoy9964]

I like these tops but they make my bust look enormously large and while sitting tummy rolls being seen what should I do please tell me

[@LaurenJohnson]

Hey Rachel! I've actually found the same problem with the sorts of tops, and I find the best solution is to make them a bit looser, so add a bit more ease-- Also make the rows of shirring a little farther apart, and stop the shirring at the waistline. This helps the top to skim over the figure a bit more without clinging everywhere. Take a look at my most recent video for a fit comparison if you're interested! 💕

[@maybrittandersen1361]

Where did you stop shirring? So what is the distance between the last shirring-row and the bottom hem?

[@janinewilson2810]

2 inches to the hem, which according to Lauren's you tube this is after you have created your little hem, hope this helps

[@LaurenJohnson]

Thanks so much for answering this Janine! Sorry I missed this question Maybritt!

[@arnelpilongo1461]

Wow so pretty ♥️ what kind of fabric did you use ? from Philippines, your new subscriber ❣️

[@LaurenJohnson]

Aw, thank you so much for subscribing! It's just quilting cotton! 💖

[@arnelpilongo1461]

@@LaurenJohnson your welcome ❣️ more video to come💛

[@halimafarah__9888]

34 which part of ur body masurement I'm trying to make one but I did not understand which part of my body to take .would you answer me please

[@hallieanna3158]

Do you have to use a double pointed needle?

[@rachellynncreates2703]

Thank you for this! I’ve been looking for ways to make the sleeve pattern!

[@LaurenJohnson]

So glad you enjoyed it!!

[@stylewithdivyanshi]

Why we are multiplying by 1.5 ?

[@noelynsisondemerin2224]

What kind of fabric you used?

[@LaurenJohnson]

This is quilters cotton!

[@alesims2384]

Did you stitch the elastic on the bottom of the sleeve with the elastic thread as well?

[@LaurenJohnson]

I just used regular all purpose thread on the sleeve! 💜

[@alesims2384]

@@LaurenJohnson thank you so much! This video was amazing ❤️

[@LaurenJohnson]

@@alesims2384 Thank you so much for watching!!

[@Hiijsjdnd]

How many yards of fabric is it?

[@andrajade9775]

Is this in inches or centimetres?

[@robynr]

I'm Robyn. Been subscribed since last year I think. I originally found you through Grace belle. I love your style. I've seen a couple videos making a shirred top but I never like the fabric haha Have you seen where the top is sprayed with water after being put together? I wonder how different the texture is before and after.

[@LaurenJohnson]

Hi Robyn, thanks so much for your comment! I really appreciate it! I haven't seen the water spraying technique, but I'll have to look into that for my next shirred project. Thanks so much for watching!!

[@emlkfoury5395]

Hi This is first video I watched Did u use inches or cm

[@LaurenJohnson]

Hi Amal, I used inches! Thanks so much for watching!

[@emlkfoury5395]

@@LaurenJohnson it's owner me😘💕

[@Colonialrabbit]

Did you put the elastic thread thru the bobbin tension?

[@LaurenJohnson]

Hi there! I hand wound the elastic thread on the bobbin, and loosened my tension a little bit until my stitches were even. Hope this helps!

[@fin_maisa9303]

Hi! I love this question but I'm kind of stumped on the sleeves. I'm currently making the pattern and I just don't understand how the sleeve works. I just can't figure it out, could you please help? ❤️

[@LaurenJohnson]

Hi there! Thank you so much for watching my video! I know sleeves can be so tricky! For this pattern I measured across my shoulder from where I wanted the front and back neckline to sit. I added a seam allowance to that, and that number became the top the width for the top part of the sleeve. Since the shirt has that underarm shape cut out, I transferred that same curve to either side of the line drawn from my first measurement. This will allow me to sew the sleeve to the shirt. Next I chose a length measurement for the sleeve, measured down from the center of the top of the sleeve, and marked this measurement. Using this marking as a guide, I drew a line across what will be the bottom of the sleeve. I used a curved line for this which gives a little more fullness in the center of the sleeve once it's sewn up. To help add a little more puffiness, I extended the bottom line a little past where the top ended, and connected the top and bottom of the sleeve with an angled line. This just means that now the bottom of the sleeve will have more room to gather up than the top! I know this is a lot of information, but I hope that it's helpful. There are also a lot of great basic sleeve tutorials on KZbin that might be of use also-- something I'm hoping to add to my channel in the future! If you have any more questions, please let me know!!

[@fin_maisa9303]

@@LaurenJohnson Thank you so much! This helped me a lot! Definitely going to get started on this today 😊

[@ansonsummer]

⁠​⁠@@LaurenJohnsonThe blouse is so pretty. Thank you. Regarding the sleeves, could you please advise if i got this right?🙏🏻after you took that measurements across shoulder (Yours is 9?), then added 3.5 (for gathering), and make it 12.5 in total? May I also ask how many inches you have added to the bodice to make it longer please? 🙏🏻

[@eriinfab]

Have you tried to make one with v neck?

[@LaurenJohnson]

I haven't tried it, but I bet it would be so cute!

[@shineb.9853]

What’s the measurement of the sleeves?

[@goldykarana8749]

Hey M confused, how u took the measurements? 34 is bust then what is 17 n why u multiplied it with 1.5 Plez make it clear i really want to make one

[@LaurenJohnson]

Hi there! 17 is one half of the bust measurement! We multiply it by 1.5 to add extra room for shirring. You can plug in the bust measurement to this equation: Bust ÷ 2 x 1.5 + 1. I hope this helps!

[@goldykarana8749]

Ok so after using this equation What do we get? Is it the total width of the cloth?

[@LaurenJohnson]

@@goldykarana8749 It's the width of the bodice piece, so you will want a front piece that is that width as well as a back piece. :)

[@dvishashah9647]

what did you do on 10.43 timing of the video? how can i do that?

[@LaurenJohnson]

I'm using my overlocker machine at that point in the video, but a zigzag stitch on a standard sewing machine works as well!

[@mariaamanda5405]

Tô louca pra fazer uma desse mais não encontro em nem um canal brasileiro

[@LaurenJohnson]

I hope you can find a tutorial that works for you-- I wish I could speak more languages!

[@sanishamaharjan2703]

Hey how much is the length for the sleeve?

[@LaurenJohnson]

Hi Sanisha, my length was 9 inches! Hope this helps!

[@kiira7493]

I'm desperate, everytime I try to make my own pattern it blast my head. This one look so easy but I can't understand how you make the underarm? It feels like you just take any size . In the end my pattern don't look like yours at all 😭 please help

[@doodlebop490]

What sewing machine do you use?❤

[@LaurenJohnson]

Hi there! Mine is a vintage Kenmore 1352!

[@joykylaouano3180]

hi! im starting a small clothing business and ill be making the clothes is it okay to use your pattern? ^-^

[@LaurenJohnson]

Hi Kyla, that's totally fine! I'd love to see what you create!

[@أميونسللخياطةوالتفصيل]

من فضلك اعيدي المقاسات بالسنتمتر لكي إفهم شكرا على مجهودك

[@kimokiiii]

yabancilar için daha aciklayici gorsel lazim ! ölçüler cizim yaparken gosterilmeli

[@Zacatecana91]

Aaah, thank you so much for this! I had a difficult time finding a tutorial for this exact type of top so I’m super happy you made this now 😄 I’m just curious to know which stitch length you used. I know you said to use the longest on the machine but I would like to know the number on yours just to see if I can have mine that long too lol.

[@LaurenJohnson]

Thanks so much for watching Cristal! My longest stitch is "6" on this machine-- it's an old machine, so it might be different on yours, but I hope this helps!

[@watsmaster9402]

You dont explain how you shirr the rest of the top once u get past the underarm where u are just going around and around.

[@LaurenJohnson]

Hey there! You just continue in loops, and each loop is a row!

[@Gyanvardhanay]

No measurements.!??

[@disneygirljamie9974]

Does nobody wash and iron fabric first anymore? If this is a new hack and unnecessary then yessss!

[@LaurenJohnson]

I do depending on the fabric! If it's going to shrink in the wash, than it gets prewashed!

[@r.asantos3453]

The sleeves are so confusing i cant my head hurts

[@LaurenJohnson]

Ah, sorry about that! Anything specific I can try to clarify?

[@r.asantos3453]

@@LaurenJohnson no, it was a me prob, i was interpreting it wrong that i got things mixed up but i eventually got it after a sip of coffee HAHAHA Thanks for tutorial btw keep it up❤

[@LaurenJohnson]

@@r.asantos3453 Haha, amazing! Coffee always helps! Appreciate you watching!