The Three-Way Top is two main pattern pieces.
This top is made from a jersey knit fabric, and takes 2 1/4 yards of either 60” or 45” jersey fabric.
The ideal fabric choices for this pattern are rayon jersey, cotton jersey, modal jersey knit, or a combination of cotton and rayon jersey. You may use jersey knits with or without spandex.
When I refer to “overlock” in the seams, it means the same as “serging” or “merrow”
BEFORE YOU BEGIN: To cut the Three-Way Top, lay the fabric right sides together and lay the pattern pieces with the grainlines parallel to the salvage. Cut two of each piece.
Overlock the edges of the armholes on both the front and back pieces.
2. Place right sides together with the main front and back pieces, stitch and overlock the side seams at 1/2” seam allowance line.
3. Turn back and press under on the wrong side 1/2” at the armhole area. On the right side top stitch at 3/8” all around.
4. Lay the top ruffle pieces right sides together and overlock and stitch both ends at 1/2” seam allowance line.
5. Lay the wrong side of the top ruffle onto the right side of the top. Match the center notches together and the end armhole notches and pin in place.
6. Stitch and overlock the entire top area. Be sure to catch the top ruffle and main body pieces together.
7. Turn back the entire top area 1” to the inside for the casing. This is to fit 1/2” wide no roll elastic. Top stitch two rolls one at 5/8” and another at 1/8” away. Be sure to leave an opening to pass the elastic through.
8. Cut the 1/2” elastic at 31” long for the small / med and 32 1/2” for the large/ x large. Keep in mind this is were you can adjust the elastic length to your liking. You may want to cut the elastic longer to allow for a wider drape of the jersey top. Add a small safety pin to the end of the elastic for feeding. Now, feed the elastic into the casing distributing the gathers evenly. Fasten the elastic together laying one over the other and secure with a pin. (You might want to try the top on at this point to see if the elastic needs to be less or more. Then, secure stitch the elastic by stitching back and forth several times. Finally, on the right side close the casing by continuing the top stitches to follow the previous ones.
9. Overlock the entire hem edges.
10. Turn up 1” of the hem inside and press. Top stitch on the right side 3/4” all around.
