You can never have enough versatile shirts in your closet. The Esther shirt is perfect for hot summer days. It's sleeveless and features a beautiful waterfall neckline. The top is slightly tailored, has narrow straps, and features a wide facing on the inside to conceal the shoulder and armhole seam allowances. If you need help with this, our illustrated sewing instructions will definitely help.

Length in the center back = 52 – 57 cm

→ To the pattern “Esther”

Esther was sewn from jersey in this tutorial.

Required materials:

We recommend a soft jersey with elastane.

Size 34-40	jersey	0.90 m	140 cm wide
Size 42-50	jersey	1.00 m	140 cm wide

Cutting:

Seam allowances are included - 1cm wide or as per marking clips!

Cut out the pattern pieces from your outer fabric. Lay the fabric right side up. Place the selvedges parallel to the center so you can place the front and back pieces on the fold. The pattern pieces should all be laid with the writing facing up. Always align the grain arrow on all pieces in the same direction and parallel to the selvedge of the fabric. Transfer all notches from the pattern by making a 3mm long snip with scissors or chalk and mark the ends of the darts. Note that bust darts are required from size 42 upwards. Notch the seam allowance on the fold, as this is always the center. Markings define the positions of dart ends, pocket positions, and much more. Transfer these either with chalk or pins.

You will need fabric:

• 1x front part in the fracture
• 1x back part in the fracture
• 1x neck hole strip
• 2x armhole strips

Sewing instructions:

Seam allowances are included - 1cm wide or as per marking clips!

To sew this shirt you will need a sewing machine and an overlock sewing machine, or alternatively the zigzag stitch on your sewing machine to neaten the cut edges.

Be sure to use a jersey needle and a stretchy stitch. This means that if you're using a home sewing machine, you should use either a zigzag stitch or a three-part stretch stitch. Then, finish all seam allowances with a zigzag stitch or another similar stitch to prevent fraying. The colored lines in the images show you, in addition to the description, where a seam needs to be sewn or glued.
When sewing, pay attention to the seam allowance included in the pattern. Seam allowances not specifically marked are 1cm wide!
Have fun sewing!

Sizes 42-50 have a bust dart; please sew this according to the pattern. After accurately transferring the pattern and paying close attention to the markings, a simple, straight dart is sewn on the wrong side of the fabric, notch by notch, tapering nicely from the widest point to the tip (so the dart doesn't bunch up). Draw a line with tailor's chalk beforehand to ensure you don't over-stitch or under-stitch, and the side seam ends nicely and straight.
To avoid having to tack the point, you can sew the last centimeter with a very small stitch. Press the dart contents upwards.

Next, work on the back piece. Iron the strips for the neckline and armholes, wrong sides together, along the fold. Then, sew the ironed strips, right sides together, to the armhole, 1 cm apart. The fold of the strips should be facing the center back. Now fold the strips to the wrong side of the fabric (the seam allowance will disappear under the strip) and stitch them in place, close to the edge.

Now neaten the bottom edge of the front facing, fold the facing over along the fold line so that it's right sides together. Then topstitch the armholes with a 1cm seam allowance.

For curves, the seam allowances are trimmed with scissors. The seam allowances can be laid flat.

Now insert the strap from the back part into the opening of the front part strap,…

...reach between the facing and the front piece and pull out the shoulder seam. Close it with 1cm.

Here you can see a detailed view of the shoulder. Repeat with the second shoulder seam.

Close the side seams with a 1.5cm seam allowance, tucking in the facing. Neaten the seam allowances together and press them to the back.

Here you can see a detailed view of how neatly the facing with the side seam is processed.

Iron the hem twice and over according to the pattern and stitch it close to the edge.

Your ESTHER is ready!

If you're stuck or have any questions, please email us at info@schnittmuster-berlin.de. We'll respond as quickly as possible. 

Have lots of fun with your new designer piece! 

Best regards, your pattern team!