Join our Sew-Along and use our popular Rimu Dress sewing pattern to create this cute ruffle top!
We’ve taken this classic Rimu Dress and adapted it into this cute ruffle Rimu Top that you can create yourself with a few deviations from the sewing tutorial!
The Rimu Dress sewing pattern from Below the Kōwhai is available in children’s sizes 1-14, with a front button opening and 2 shoulder style variations. Grab your Rimu Dress sewing pattern here!
More about “hacks”:
Our sewing patterns are thoroughly tested through multiple rounds of testing, editing and adjusting in both fit and instructions across all sizes before release.
However, free hacks on our blog are not. Whilst our Rimu Dress sewing pattern has been thoroughly tested. This hack has not been through multiple rounds of testing in each size. I have created a size 9 with success, and am sharing what I did with you so you can create your own!
I suggest you try your hack garments on as you go to ensure they are working and fit well along the way! Or, even better, create a toile (practice in spare / cheap fabric) to ensure you’re happy with your garment before cutting into favourite fabric!
The Sew Along
We will be sewing this Rimu Top this week in a relaxed, go at your own pace, sew along!
Check back to this post each day for new instructions, and jump in to our Below the Kōwhai VIP Community on Facebook to enter each day’s giveaways.
We’ll be officially starting to sew Monday 9th of January. In the mean time, prepare your fabric pieces as below.
Prepare Cut Pieces
1. Download and print the Rimu Dress – VIEW A in your required size. Enjoy 25% off this week to celebrate our sew along!
2. Cut out STRAPS as usual.
3. Extend the lower edge of the FRONT and BACK BODICE by 50mm (2″), then cut out according to pattern pieces.
4. Omit front and back SKIRT pieces.
5. Create ruffle piece with spare paper, or simply cut directly on to fabric (on fold):
** Some of our SAL’er have already reported they would prefer their ruffle to be more full. Add an extra 5cm to the width and then you can decide as you gather. I’ll confirm this more solidly has we finish the SAL for future sewists**
Day 1
Thanks so much for joining in with our Rimu Top sew along!
By now you will need to have printed your Rimu Dress (View A), cut out your fabric with the directions and edits above.
Today:
Complete steps 2-4 in your Rimu Dress tutorial.
This will be working on the straps and individual bodice pieces.
TIP: Now is a great time to do a preliminary try on if your model is close by to check the length of the straps and where the bodice lands. It should land at the lower base of the waist, but, remember there’s also 10mm (⅜”) of seam allowance here to account for which will be more obvious with the smaller sizes.
And: Jump in to our VIP Community to share the fabric you’re working with and be in to win a FREE metre of your choice from our Below the Kōwhai fabric range.
DAY 2
Today is a super quick one, it might only take 5-10 minutes of your time, yay!
That’s the wonderful thing about sewing, your work isn’t un-done by time. Every few minutes at the machine contributes to a finished garment… Eventually!
I hope this week you’ll feel the reward of that and be able to continue this practice this year.
Today:
Complete steps 5-6 in your Rimu Dress tutorial.
This will create curved underarms and work on closing the front of the bodice.
And: Jump in to our VIP Community to let us know if you’ve sewn the Rimu Dress proper before? If you have, please consider leaving a website review here.
Reviews are so helpful to me! They let future sewists know if our patterns are worth their precious time and fabric, and Google to know if I should show up in searches!
Be in to win a $20 BTK gift card for PDF sewing patterns of your choice, just by joining in with todays VIP Community sew along prompt!
Day 3
How is your sewing going so far? Have you been able to find a little pocket of time each day to work towards this finished garment?
Today:
Complete steps 11-13 in your Rimu Dress tutorial.
This will join the sides and create a fold for easy ruffle joining tomorrow.
And: Jump in to our VIP Community to let us know about the most best/special garment you’ve ever sewn, and why was it so special to you?
Join in with today’s prompt and be in to win a Frankie Magazine + Whittakers chocolate combo!
Day 4
How is your sewing going so far? Have you been able to find a little pocket of time each day to work towards this finished garment?
Today:
We’re working through the ruffle and attaching it to our top:
- Zig zag/overlock the long, lower edge of the ruffle piece. Turn up towards the wrong side by 10mm (3/8″). Top stitch in place (image above).
- Fold in each short edge of the ruffle piece by 5mm (1/4″), and again another 5mm (1/4″) so that the raw edge is enclosed. Top stitch in place on each side (image above).
- Complete steps 20-29 in your Rimu Dress tutorial to gather and attach the ruffle. Ignore pocket details.
And: Jump in to our VIP Community to let me know about any pain points you have about sewing? Somethings you just don’t get, or want to perfect, or are scared to try? I’ll try and help you out this year by creating blog tutorials around them so we can all be winning and grinning!
Join in with today’s prompt and be in to win a $10 BTK gift card for you, and another for a friend (or you can give it away on your social media, you get to choose!)
Day 5
We’re at the end, congratulations!
Today:
Finish the button holes by spacing 4-5 buttons on the front. Place the top and bottom corners first and space the middle buttons from there.
And:
Take some photos of your new Rimu Top being worn, share a picture with us in our VIP Community, and leave a review on the pattern listing (please specifically let us know you created the top!).
BTK sewists can enjoy 10-30% off fabrics and sewing patterns to celebrate the summer season, from now until the end of January! Enjoy!
Jump in to our VIP Community to join todays giveaways and we’ll see you back here tomorrow!
Love and happy sewing,
Sophie x