We have covered how to add the included sleeves to your Protea, but what if you want to make a sleeveless Protea?! It’s actually super easy! You coooould make an all-in-one neckline and armhole facing a-la Floreat. But I’m going to show you a simpler way to do it, and that’s with bias strip facings for the sleeve finishing.
Also, I’ll be showing you a specific bias strip method, but if you want to see some other bias-facing methods, check out this post.
Ok, let me show you.
First, just like when attaching sleeves, you need to sew the side seams.
Turn the top so that the front and back are right sides together.
Sew along the side seams 5/8″ (1.5 cm) from the raw edge.
Finish the raw edge by your preferred method, such as stitching with a zig-zag stitch or overlocking/serging.
Press seams open or towards the back of the garment.
Protea’s seam allowance is 5/8″, but we will be attaching the bias facing at 1/4″, so you may want to trim off about 3/8″ from the armscye.
Cut two strips, on the bias, 1 1/2″ wide. Each strip long enough to go around the armscye.
Fold the strip in half, width ways along the long edge, with wrong sides together / right sides facing outwards. Press well.
Fold the bias strip in by 1/4” at one end and press.
With the right side of the bodice facing out, and starting with the folded end, line up the raw edges of the folded bias strip with the raw edge of the neckline.
Begin pinning around the neckline, easing the strip as you go.
When you reach the folded edge of the bias strip where you started, overlap it, and then cut off the remaining bias strip.
Sew 1/4″ from the raw edge all the way around the neckline.
Trim back the seam allowance.
Press the facing and seam allowance away from the bodice.
Understitch along the facing close to the seamline (securing the facing to the seam allowance only). This ensures that your facing will roll towards the inside of the garment.
Turn the facing towards the inside of the bodice, press.
Pin in place, and stitch close to the outer edge of the facing to enclose the raw edges.
Repeat for the other side.
And that’s it! A sleeveless Protea.
LOOKING FOR MORE PROTEA POSTS?
- How to choose between Protea & Protea Curve
- Protea Inspiration & Ideas
- Protea Tester Round Up & Protea Curve Tester Round Up
- Hacks for the Protea Capsule Wardrobe
- Protea Maker Round-Up
- Sewalong: Staystitching, Darts & Shoulder Seams
- Sewalong: Neckline Facing
- Sewalong: Side Seams & Sleeves
- Bonus Protea Hack: Sleeveless Protea (this post!)
- Sewalong: Dress Drawstring Channel
- Sewalong: Pockets & Skirt
- Sewalong: Tiered Skirt
- Sewalong: Attaching the Skirt to the Bodice
- Sewalong: Dress Drawstring
- Sewalong: Skirt Waistband
- Sewalong: Hem
- Bonus Protea Hack: Elastic Puff Sleeves
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