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The Fifer Sewalong is a step-by-step video series designed to guide you through sewing the Fifer, from choosing your size to finishing the final details.
In this sewalong, we walk you through each stage of the process in short, focused lessons. You can move through the videos at your own pace, pause as needed, or skip ahead if you’re already comfortable with certain steps.
Fifer is a classic woven tank top with a romantic twist. Fifer's base features a slightly A-line silhouette and a scoop front and back neckline. Bust darts shape the relaxed fit, and the hemline rests right below the high hip.
The centerpiece of this beautiful tank top is the gathered collar that adds femininity to this style. You'll also practice two bias finish techniques with the bias-bound neckline and bias-faced armholes. Wear Fifer on its own for warm spring and summer days, or layer under your favorite cardigan or jacket to bring a bit of texture to your outfit.
To follow along, you’ll need the Fifer Pattern. Seamwork members can download it as part of their membership, and non-members can purchase it individually in the shop.
Getting Started
Fabric recommendations: To get the best ruffles on your tank top, look for lightweight woven fabrics such as cotton lawn, cotton voile, cotton gauze, chambray, Swiss dot, linen, rayon challis, rayon crepe, and silk.
Seamwork members, take advantage of your member deals this month! You can save up to 20% off your order here.
Prepare to Sew
This lesson covers all the basic things you need to know to get started with this sewalong. If you’re a beginner, this will be really helpful to watch!
If you feel like you already know how to get your pattern and fabric ready for sewing, go ahead and skip to the next lesson and you'll learn to do some helpful fitting adjustments.
You're going to learn how to:
- Select a pattern and reference its skill level
- Select a size
- Prepare patterns and fabric
- Cut and mark fabric
Fitting Adjustments
In this video, you’ll learn some helpful fitting adjustments for the Fifer top.
Armhole Depth
Armhole depth is the distance between your underarm and your shoulder. If your armhole is too high and digs into your body, you need to increase the depth. If it hangs too low and limits your arm mobility, you need to decrease the depth. You will need to make this adjustment on both the front and back pattern pieces.
Neckline Depth
Fifer is designed to have a very low neckline. You can change the front neckline depth to suit your preference.
Shoulder Width
Fifer's straps are designed to rest on the far end of your shoulders. You can adjust the width to fit your measurments. You will need to make this adjustment on both the front and back pattern pieces.
We created a free downloadable PDF called the Four Height Zones to help you gather the information you need to make adjustments to your pattern where you need it. We recommend printing it out and writing your height measurements on it to keep in your sewing journal.
Compare these measurements to the corresponding landmarks on your pattern pieces, and you'll know how much you need to shorten or lengthen that part of the pattern.
Sewing Instructions
The PDF instructions will be your main guide as you work through this pattern, but we've created this video to walk you through the trickiest steps in detail. If you need help on a step not shown in this video, check out the Community Group Sew, where other Seamworkers and staff are ready to help out!
The trickiest steps for this pattern are:
- Sew armhole bias (01:26)
- Sew and attach ruffle (10:01)
- Sew neck binding (19:17)
