THE CHOLI
Sewing Instructions for All Sizes






1. Make darts in front. Stitch the darts with the sewing machine, and then trim away spare fabric to reduce bulk. I finish them neatly with the overlocker.

2. Sew back to front at shoulders using machine or overlocker (serger).

3. Sew in sleeves Pin sleeve to choli, matching the centre dot to the shoulder seam. Sew using machine or overlocker, easing the fullness at top.

4. Edge finish the sleeve using your overlocker or machine zig-zag. Don't actually make the hem yet, just neaten the edge of the fabric. *Note: I stretch this edge when sewing, so that the end of the sleeve stays stretchy.

5. Sew underarm & side seam in one long continuous seam using machine or overlocker.

6. Finish sleeve hem using your machine straight stitch. I stretch the hem when sewing, so that the end of the sleeve stays stretchy. Keeping the stretch means that you can easily push the sleeve up when you're wearing your choli without it becoming too tight.

7. Bias edging This gives a lovely smooth and neat finish to the neck edge of your choli.
8. Sew centre front seam using the sewing machine - not the overlocker just yet. Take the time to match the darts, the bottom edge, and the "V" perfectly - or it will annoy you forever!! I use the sewing machine first to make SURE those darts are perfectly aligned. Then I edge finish with the overlocker.

9. Stabilise the bottom edge of the choli

Cut the length of bias tape that matches your choli size:

Your sizeCut to this length
32-34"   A-B-C   
34-36"   B-C-D
36-38"   C-D-DD
38-40"   D-DD-E
40-42"   D-DD-E      
20" (51cm)
21" (53cm)
22" (56cm)
23" (58cm)
24" (61cm)
Lay the choli, right side up on the machine. 10. The lower band 11. The Neck Ties Centre front detail 12. Now... TRY ON YOUR CHOLI !

I hope that it fits you well! You may need to adjust the shoulder ties a little to get a better fit. The tightness of tying these shoulder ties really does make a difference to how your choli fits. Play with it and adjust it till it sits nicely.

Once you've got the neck ties just right... DON'T undo them!! Just slip the choli over your head. (it's much easier to put on with the neck ties done up anyway!)

And now ... it's FINISHED!!!

I hope it was not too hard to understand my instructions. Some things are easy to do, but really difficult to describe.

Happy dancing!
Annabella


BACK