Follow the step-by-step visual guide underneath to help you sew I AM Joy, the timeless favourite from the collection I AM IN AFRICA. We have put the written explications first and then below we added the picture to illustrate each step.
If you don’t have the I AM Joy pattern, discover it now.
CUTTING THE FABRIC
1) Cut the fabric following the cutting plan.
2) Make notches as shown on the pattern as well as on the center front and center back of the garment and the facings.
SEWING THE DARTS
3) Create the dart by folding the front, right side facing the right side, and match up the dart notches. Sew from the side seam to the extremity of the dart. Start with a backstitch and finish with 2″ length of thread that you secure with two hand knots. Iron the dart toward the bottom of the garment. Sew the second dart following the same instructions.
Video – note that this video is in French but you should be able to understand:
SEWING THE SHOULDERS
4) Overlock the front and the back shoulders. Overlock the front facing and the back facing at the shoulders.
5) Place the front and the back shoulders right sides together. Pin and sew at 3/8″. Press the seam open.
6) Repeat this process for the shoulder seams of the facings.
7) Overlock along the longest curve of the facing.
SEWING THE NECKLINE
8) Place the facing and the garment’s neckline right sides together.
9) Pin in place and sew all around at 3/8″.
10) Notch the curves.
11) Turn right out and iron to hold the facing inside the garment.
12) Maintain the facing and the seam allowance together with a topstitch at 2 mm from the first stitch.
13) Hand sew an invisible stitch to maintain the facing and the shoulders together.
SEWING THE SLEEVES
14) Sew a gather thread on the sleeve head between the notches at slightly less than 3/8″.
15) Place the sleeve and the armhole right sides together matching up the notches. Pin from each extremity to the notches.
16) Pull the gather thread until both pieces measure the same length. Spread the gathers equally on the sleeve head. Pin in place.
17) Sew at 3/8″. Overlock and iron. Repeat for the other sleeve.
Video – note that this video is in French but you should be able to understand:
SEWING THE SIDES
18) Place the front and the back right sides together and pin along the side seam and the sleeve making sure to match up the underarm seams.
19) Sew at 3/8″. Overlock.
SEWING THE HEM
20) At the bottom of the garment, fold and iron 3/8″ and then 1 1/4″ towards the wrong side to prepare the hem. Pin in place and topstitch all around.
SEWING THE CUFFS
21) At the bottom of each sleeve, fold and iron 3/8″ and then 1 1/4″ to prepare the hem. Pin in place and topstitch.
22) Make sure to leave an opening of 2″ in order to insert the elastic tape.
23) Insert the elastic tape and pull it all the way. Make sure not to twist it up inside.
24) Superimpose both extremities of the elastic tape over 3/4″ and sew them together thoroughly.
25) Set the elastic tape free and close the opening.
Video – note that this video is in French but you should be able to understand:
You’ve finished! Follow us on social media and share your creations with: @iam_patterns, #iampatterns #iamjoy