DIY Tutorial | How to Add a Lining to The Lou Box Top

I've been asked a few times about how to line the Lou Box Top and I finally got around to trying it. It turned out to be much easier than I anticipated and possibly easier than the traditional method! It's a little harder to visualize but very easy to sew as you won't need to do any binding. for the neck edge.




How to Sew a Lined Lou Box Top

Notes:
Cut fabric as usual except do not cut binding strips.
The binding it not necessary for this method. The neckline seam will be created with the lining.
To save time finishing seam allowances and clipping curves, use pinking shears to do it all at once.
Cut lining slightly shorter than fashion fabric. Or for a cool two-tone layered look, cut your lining fabric longer than your fashion fabric.
If you are making a scoopneck, you don't technically need to do the button at the back. To omit the button opening at the center back, skip step 1 and stop stitching at the neck edge in step 3.


Instructions

Step 1: Make button hole loop. Baste to right center back of fashion fabric, .5 inch from top.

Step 2: Stitch front and back shoulder seams. Repeat for lining fabric. Press seams open.



Step 3: Place lining and top right sides together and pin along neck edge and back stopping at circle marking. Stitch, back stitching at beginning and end. Clip curves and trim seam.

Step 4: Stitch sleeve hems right sides together. Turn shirt right side out by pulling back pieces through tube-like opening at shoulder seams. 



Step 5: Open out left side and pin right sides together matching fashion fabric to fashion fabric and lining to lining. Stitch. Repeat for right side. Finish seams with zig zag stitch or pinking shears. 



Step 6: Open out back seam. Stitch center back of top from hem to dot. (Note the photo above doesn't show exactly what you need to do but is a good visual of what the fabric looks like when opened. Sorry! You need stitch all the way from the hem to where the fashion fabric and lining meet. And don't forget to backstitch.) Repeat with lining. Finish seams.

Step 7: Hem top and lining separately.

Step 8: If desired, top stitch neckline and arm openings.

Step 9: Sew button to left back neck.



And you're all done! I hope that this tutorial is helpful to you. Remember, you can use this method for any top that has a center back seam. And if you haven't tried the Lou Box Top pattern yet, you can check it out right here. Happy sewing!