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MN2102 Banksia / Sewalongs

Banksia Sewalong: How to sew a placket the easier way

When I first started sewing plackets – I thought the standard version was a tad cumbersome, so I decided to come up with my own way, the ‘easier way’ if you like. I think it’s a little easier than the standard version included in the Banksia instruction booklet- and I still use it a lot, because I just like it :) It’s not included in the instruction booklet, but I wanted to share it because I think you will like it too!

Ready?

how to sew the placket on the Banksia Blouse // tutorial on Megan Nielsen Design Diaryhow to sew the placket on the Banksia Blouse // tutorial on Megan Nielsen Design Diary
The most important thing about plackets is going slowly and preparing. If you haven’t done your basting yet – here’s the post from last week.

how to sew the placket on the Banksia Blouse // tutorial on Megan Nielsen Design DiaryFirst, we’ll iron the interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric (the left picture shows the right side of the placket, and the right shows the interfacing ironed to the wrong side). I like to use very very lightweight fusible. I feel like interfacing is really important as it adds a lot of stability to the placket and the buttonholes.

how to sew the placket on the Banksia Blouse, and easier method // tutorial on Megan Nielsen Design DiaryFold the placket pieces in half with right sides together, and sew 5/8″ from the top edge.

how to sew the placket on the Banksia Blouse, and easier method // tutorial on Megan Nielsen Design DiaryTrim and notch the seam allowance.

how to sew the placket on the Banksia Blouse, and easier method // tutorial on Megan Nielsen Design DiaryTurn the right way round and press.

how to sew the placket on the Banksia Blouse, and easier method // tutorial on Megan Nielsen Design DiaryPlace the placket pieces on the front piece on the right side of the fabric, so that the folded edges are facing the sides, and so that the raw edges are lined up with the centre cut edge inside the placket basting.

Sew the plackets to the front 5/8″ from the raw edge, along the basting stitches. Stop when you hit the horizontal basting stitches – about 5/8″ from the bottom.

how to sew the placket on the Banksia Blouse, and easier method // tutorial on Megan Nielsen Design Diary

how to sew the placket on the Banksia Blouse, and easier method // tutorial on Megan Nielsen Design DiaryPush the plackets through to the wrong side of the fabric (inside of the top), and also push through the triangle of seam allowance still attached to the top. On the right side make sure the right placket is lined up over the left, and pin in place for stability.

how to sew the placket on the Banksia Blouse, and easier method // tutorial on Megan Nielsen Design Diary how to sew the placket on the Banksia Blouse, and easier method // tutorial on Megan Nielsen Design DiaryOn the wrong side, pin the bottom of both placket pieces to the triangle of seam allowance. Sew along the horizontal line of basting stitches. Sometimes this is made easier by folding the top in half horizontally so that the bottom of the placket sticks out.

how to sew the placket on the Banksia Blouse, and easier method // tutorial on Megan Nielsen Design Diaryhow to sew the placket on the Banksia Blouse, and easier method // tutorial on Megan Nielsen Design DiaryIt should now look like the above pictures from the inside.

how to sew the placket on the Banksia Blouse, and easier method // tutorial on Megan Nielsen Design DiaryTime to finish the raw edges. For this top, I used my overlocker, but you could just use a zig-zag stitch or you could also bind the seams with bias tape, or rayon tape, or fold the seam allowance inwards to enclose the raw edges and top stitch.

how to sew the placket on the Banksia Blouse, and easier method // tutorial on Megan Nielsen Design Diary how to sew the placket on the Banksia Blouse, and easier method // tutorial on Megan Nielsen Design DiaryThe last step – this is optional, but I really like it. After pressing the placket, topstitch around the outside edge to keep the seam allowance flat – and I think it looks pretty!

Put in your buttons and buttonholes. Yay, we’re done!!!! You did it :)


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About Author

Holly writes part time for the Megan Nielsen blog– sewing like crazy, creating tutorials and sewalongs. She has been sewing since she was a little girl, and has her degree in apparel design. Now she’s a stay at home mama, and spends all her free nap times at her sewing machine.

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katie
katie
10 years ago

these are great directions – thank you! I’ve barely begun my top but I think things will go a lot faster for me with the sew along to reference

Meg
Admin
Meg
10 years ago
Reply to  katie

Hi Katie!! That’s great! That’s i love about sewalongs, and detailed tutorials – everyone can go at their own pace, and you can always come back to read the posts again :)

Good luck with your top!!

XOXO

Kim
Kim
10 years ago

I love this method! To be honest I like it so much I havent tried the other one :P

Meg
Admin
Meg
10 years ago
Reply to  Kim

Hehehehehe fair enough!! Honestly, i really love this method, and i think i probably still use it more than the other one. I think it’s possibly also because it’s a bit more a subtle look?

hugs! xoxo

katherine landreneau
katherine landreneau
10 years ago

Beautiful work! Love your fabric choice!

Meg
Admin
Meg
10 years ago

Thanks Katherine! I really love this linen too! I think it’s going to be great in summer – and the brocade collar certainly makes a feel a little dressier! XOXO

Tascha
Tascha
10 years ago

Hey!
I have a little question, one which side is the placket with the interfacing? The one on the top or the one underneath? And which one is on top, left or right?
Thank you!

Meg
Admin
Meg
10 years ago
Reply to  Tascha

Hi Tascha!

Both placket pieces have are interfaced – i just showed one in the photo so you could see the difference. And when you are putting it together the right placket goes on top of the left.

I hope that helps!!

xoxo

Carol
Carol
9 years ago

Love your site. So useful…do you lay the plackets differently for men’s clothes? Do you have any videos yet?
Thanks
x