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MN2009 Protea / Sewalongs

Protea Sewalong: Staystitching, darts and shoulder seams

Protea sewalong - stay stitching, darts and shoulder seams

Hi friends! It’s time to get started on the construction of Protea! We’re going to cover the first few steps in this post since they are quick and easy. We’ll go over staystitching, darts and shoulder seams! So let’s get started.

Staystitching

how to sew the darts, staystitching, and shoulder seams on the Protea sewing pattern by Megan Nielsen Patterns

Staystitch around the Front and Back neckline 5/8″ (1.5 cm) from the raw edge. This will prevent the neckline from stretching during construction.

how to sew the darts, staystitching, and shoulder seams on the Protea sewing pattern by Megan Nielsen Patterns

For the square neckline, do the same, pivoting at the corners.

Darts

how to sew the darts, staystitching, and shoulder seams on the Protea sewing pattern by Megan Nielsen Patterns

Using the pattern piece, mark your dart points and leg ends on your bodice front, wrong side of the fabric.

You can easily transfer and mark the dart points by poking a hole through the dart point on the pattern piece.

how to sew the darts, staystitching, and shoulder seams on the Protea sewing pattern by Megan Nielsen Patterns

You can also draw the dart legs using a ruler if you prefer, so it’s easier to line everything up for sewing.

how to sew the darts, staystitching, and shoulder seams on the Protea sewing pattern by Megan Nielsen Patterns

Make the darts by folding down the centre of each dart with right sides of the fabric together, ensuring that the dart legs match up.

how to sew the darts, staystitching, and shoulder seams on the Protea sewing pattern by Megan Nielsen Patterns

Pin in place on the wrong side of the fabric.

how to sew the darts, staystitching, and shoulder seams on the Protea sewing pattern by Megan Nielsen Patterns

Sew the darts from the side seam towards the dart point, tapering off slightly at the end of the dart. Don’t backstitch, and leave thread tails at the point.

how to sew the darts, staystitching, and shoulder seams on the Protea sewing pattern by Megan Nielsen Patterns

Tie off your threads at the dart point to secure them, before trimming.

how to sew the darts, staystitching, and shoulder seams on the Protea sewing pattern by Megan Nielsen Patterns

Press the darts downwards towards the waist.

Shoulder Seams

how to sew the darts, staystitching, and shoulder seams on the Protea sewing pattern by Megan Nielsen Patterns
how to sew the darts, staystitching, and shoulder seams on the Protea sewing pattern by Megan Nielsen Patterns

Place the Front and the Back right sides together so that the shoulder seams and notches line up.

how to sew the darts, staystitching, and shoulder seams on the Protea sewing pattern by Megan Nielsen Patterns
how to sew the darts, staystitching, and shoulder seams on the Protea sewing pattern by Megan Nielsen Patterns

Sew along the shoulder seam 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.

how to sew the darts, staystitching, and shoulder seams on the Protea sewing pattern by Megan Nielsen Patterns

Press seams open or towards the back of the garment.


LOOKING FOR MORE PROTEA POSTS?

  • Sewalong: Staystitching, Darts & Shoulder Seams (this post!)
  • Sewalong: Neckline Facing
  • Sewalong: Side Seams & Sleeves
  • Bonus Protea Hack: Sleeveless Protea
  • 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

DON’T HAVE THE PATTERN YET?

Order Protea today in sizes 0-20 and Curve sizes 14-34

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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