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MN2101 Eucalypt / Sewalongs

Eucalypt tank variation : colorblocked button-front

Are you guys finding some of the Eucalypt tips and tutorials from earlier this week helpful? Well let’s continue on with some more Eucalypt fun, today! I have a super fun variation to share with you. That is what is so great to the Eucalypt tank /dress – it lends itself to so many variation options. The possibilities are endless! One really easy option? Colorblocking. You can color block vertically, or as I’m going to show you today, horizontally. Combined with a button up front placket, it makes for a detailed and unique version of Eucalypt!

********EDIT: an awesome observant reader pointed out a mistake I had made while making this top. I’ve now corrected the instructions to accommodate for the correct amount of seam allowance. The parts of the instructions that have updated are now italicized. Sorry for mistake and the confusion!********

Ok, enough with the chit chat. Find out how to make this Eucalypt variation after the jump…..

1. To make your placket – extend your front bodice pattern piece and extra 1 1/2” inch beyond the center front seam line (the dotted line). Make sure the top and bottom edges are squared off.

2. To make the colorblockon the center front, make a mark where you would like your colorblocking to be. Square out a line from the center front, extending all the way over to the side seam. Remember that you want to square it out, or keep it perpendicular, to the center front. (ignore that little mark I have, that is where I made my mistake and therefore had to adjust these instructions)

3. On your front side seam, measure from the armhole down to where your new line meets the side seam (for me, this ended up being 6 1/2″). On your back side seam, measure down this same amount, and make a small mark. Square out from your center back to this new marking. You want your new seam lines to match up at the side seam, but you want them to be squared out from the center front and back so that the lines are straight.

4. Cut along your new  seam lines.  Add 5/8” to the bottom of your two top pieces, and 5/8” to the top of each bottom piece by adding some extra paper underneath. This is for your seam allowance.

5. To assemble your top – start be sewing all of your top portion pieces together at the side seams (and shoulder seams). And then sew your bottom portion pieces together at the side seams. Sew the top to bottom, lining up  the side seams. I would recommend using a french seam, so that you have a nice clean finish.

6. To make the placket – with wrong side facing you, fold your center front inwards 1/2”. Then turn your top around so that the right side is facing you. Fold in another 1 1/2″. Pin along the top edge to keep in place. Do this for each  center front side.

7. Start pinning your bias tape along the neckline, just as normal. Remember, the right side of the top should still be facing you, with the right side of the bias tape facing down. Sew 1/4” from the edge, and trim close to edge.

8. Fold your bias tape towards the wrong side, and fold the bottom edge under to enclose the raw edge. At the same time, fold your placket around towards the wrong side.

9. Sew continuously, close to the edge, along the plackets and bias facing. Pivot at the corners.

10. Continue assembling the rest of your top at this time (armhole bias facing and hemming).

11. Mark and make your buttonholes and buttons. For mine, I made 3/4″ buttonholes (for 5/8” buttons), spaced 1 1/4″ apart. And I ended up with 8 buttons. Of course, you can make yours to your liking!

That’s it! C’est tout :)

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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Emily
10 years ago

Oh my gosh, I love this one. It’s so pretty!

Stephanie
Stephanie
10 years ago

Love this. I already own the pattern but if I didn’t, this top would have sealed the deal. It did make me go purchase a bias tape maker though. I am looking forward to making my own version, maybe with coral and cream.

Ginger
10 years ago

Adorable! I love this variation!

Manda
Manda
10 years ago

Very pretty I am loving all the eucalypt variations!

Jen
Jen
10 years ago

Ok, I know this is totally off the subject of this post but would you ever do a post on how to widen the shoulders in the crescent top? I’ve made it twice (2 different sizes and fabrics) and I can’t get it to fit me right. I have pretty broad shoulders and the cutouts are no where near where they’re supposed to be. Thanks!!

PS…love the color blocked eculypt! Gorgeous!!

Katherine
10 years ago

I love this one!

Marit
Marit
10 years ago

I haven’t sewn in about a year now, and I miss it so much! This made me miss it all the more…which is a good thing:) You have just the sweetest blog. Thanks from fan in Norway

Sue
Sue
10 years ago

Love the look of this top!
I may have missed something in the instructions, but wouldn’t you need to add 1 1/4″ to the bottom pieces – ie 2x 5/8″, as you have taken 5/8 off the bottom section already for the seam allowance of the top?

Sue
Sue
10 years ago
Reply to  Holly

I’m so very sorry, but it still doesn’t make sense to me. When you added the first 5/8th”, essentially, you were taking 5/8″ off the pattern for the bottom section. Therefore when you add on to the pattern, don’t you need to account for this 5/8′ decrease, plus the 5/8″ needed for the other seam allowance?

In other words you are making a seam in the garment, so there needs to be an extra 1/14″ of paper inserted into the pattern and I’m only reading 5/8″ The first 5/8″ was cribbed from the pattern and not actually added on.

Am I still missing something and being particularly dense??

KayD
KayD
10 years ago

I love these colors together! Amazing! I might have to get this pattern just to make an amazing color blocked version.

stephanie
10 years ago

Great variation! I love the colour blocking too.

kristonlion
10 years ago

!!!!! I need this pattern now! please quit tempting me ;)