This is a DIY way to upgrade any tops (or other clothing items) you already own with a floral flair and make them more whimsical and fairycore just in time for the warmer weather. You can obviously use any colours you wish for your top or garment and for the bias tape to finish off the flower cut outs. But I really love how the shiny olive green bias tape looks against the forest green of my top. It’s a lovely contrast.
You can add even more contrast with how you style the top with the bra or top you wear underneath the top.
You will need:
- Any kind of top, long sleeved or short sleeved (mine is made of stretch/knit fabric)
- 0.5m/0.5 yds of fabric to make bias tape (I used a knit/stretch fabric)
- Thread that matches your fabric
- Grading ruler or measuring tape
- Chalk or fabric marker
- Fabric scissors
- Sewing machine
- Sewing machine needle for stretch fabric (or whichever type of fabric you are using)
Sew a Top with Flower Cut Outs Instructions
How to Cut Out the Bias Tape
Bias tape is when you cut out strips of fabric at an angle of 45 degrees to the selvage of the fabric. The selvage is the woven edge of the fabric. This gives the fabric tape some stretch to it.
Step 1
I chose to make my bias tape 3cm/1.2 inches wide but you can make yours wider (4cm/1.6 inches is the industry standard). I used chalk to draw the lines at a 45 degree angle 3cm apart as shown in the image below. Then I cut out the pieces.
If your bias tape pieces are too short to make ribbons for the petals you can always join 2 pieces together as shown in this picture below.
How to Sew the Flower Cut Outs
Step 1
Before we can sew the flower cut outs, we first have to cut the flowers out. I used chalk to draw a 4 petal flower shape wherever I wanted a cut out to go. Then I used the fabric scissors to cut my fabric.
Step 2
First I am going to add bias tape to the 2 petals opposite each other. The right side of the bias tape should be against the wrong side of the top/fabric. They should be sewn together with 0.5cm/0.2 inch seam allowance as shown in the picture below. Try to make the length of the bias tape slightly shorter than the length of the petal so that you can stretch the bias tape to fit around the petal. This will help the bias tape lay nicely on the finished garment.
Then you can trim off the excess seam allowance so it looks like this:
Step 3
Now fold the bias tape in half to enclose the raw edge of your fabric inside it and pin as shown in the image below. It also helps if you iron the bias tape to get it to lay flat.
Then sew along the folded edge of the bias tape so it looks like this:
Step 4
For the other 2 petals you can follow the Steps 1-3, just sew along the extra lengths of bias tape.
Then repeat Steps 1- until you have completed all the flower cut outs that you want.
More Free Fairycore Sewing Tutorials
I have a free sewing tutorial for a simple slip dress with adjustable tie straps, made with the same fabric as my simple half circle skirt with pockets. I plan to wear this slip dress under the skirt to create another fairycore outfit.
If you are looking for another fairycore skirt here is my tiered maxi skirt pattern that also has an elastic waistband and pockets. So far I have one tutorial for a more formal fairycore dress which is the red satin slip dress with organza ruffles (and pockets of course!). And for a more casual fairycore dress here is a maxi dress with a ruffle at the bottom. I also have a sewing tutorial for a tie front summery dress that is adjustable, but also has pockets of course!
And if skirts or dresses are too feminine for you, there’s always the free patterns for patchwork pants, simple shorts, or the summery trousers with ribbon side ties! All of those tutorials include elastic waistbands and pockets.
If you’re looking for quick & easy fairycore sewing project that you can gift or even sell look no further than the fairycore scrunchies.
DIY not AI
If you are sick and tired of being bamboozled by those too perfect AI images and want some inspiration from actual human beings, my Pinterest board, DIY NOT AI, awaits. This is the link, AKA magical portal, that will take you there. DIY NOT AI is also a group board that is OPEN TO CONTRIBUTORS!!! Whether you’re a crocheter, seamstress, knitter, or any other kind of DIY/handicraft creator this is The Place for you to promote your work to people who appreciate REAL quality over quantity. So what are you waiting for? Shoot me a dm on Pinterest to be added!
And that’s all for today folks! If you have any questions please comment below and I, or perhaps a kind internet stranger, will assist you.
Lots of love & light,
Maria