Sep 20 2019
![TOP FROM BLOCKS - PART THREE TOP FROM BLOCKS - PART THREE](assets/images/blog/Banners/Ministry makes banner narrow.jpg)
Happy with the fit of my bodice and sleeve (see previous blog), I decided to turn the below into a finished garment. I extended the length (so it didn’t finish at my mid-rift!) with some piping inserted in the waist seam. I also added pockets using the same contrasting fabric used for the piping and finished the neckline off with binding.
![TOP FROM BLOCKS - PART THREE TOP FROM BLOCKS - PART THREE](assets/images/blog/2019/TOP FROM BLOCKS - PART THREEE/Sleeve block 10.jpg)
I used my skirt block to create the extended section from the waist. I cut away a section at the side seam in the front garment piece to create a slanted opening, then cut a pocket lining (in black polyester), and pocket (in contrast red).
![TOP FROM BLOCKS - PART THREE TOP FROM BLOCKS - PART THREE](assets/images/blog/2019/TOP FROM BLOCKS - PART THREEE/IMG_3770.jpg)
You make these pockets up as follows:
Stitch pocket lining on front garment piece, right sides together, it is a good idea to stay stich or fuse the pocket opening first to prevent it stretching out of shape.
![TOP FROM BLOCKS - PART THREE TOP FROM BLOCKS - PART THREE](assets/images/blog/2019/TOP FROM BLOCKS - PART THREEE/IMG_3771.jpg)
Turn the pocket and press the edge.
![TOP FROM BLOCKS - PART THREE TOP FROM BLOCKS - PART THREE](assets/images/blog/2019/TOP FROM BLOCKS - PART THREEE/IMG_3773.jpg)
Topstitch the edge of pocket to keep the lining from ‘rolling’ outside.
![TOP FROM BLOCKS - PART THREE TOP FROM BLOCKS - PART THREE](assets/images/blog/2019/TOP FROM BLOCKS - PART THREEE/IMG_3772.jpg)
Sew the pocket piece to the pocket lining with right sides together, matching notches. Finish the raw edges.
![TOP FROM BLOCKS - PART THREE TOP FROM BLOCKS - PART THREE](assets/images/blog/2019/TOP FROM BLOCKS - PART THREEE/IMG_3774.jpg)
Machine tack the top and the sides of pocket to the garment piece.
![TOP FROM BLOCKS - PART THREE TOP FROM BLOCKS - PART THREE](assets/images/blog/2019/TOP FROM BLOCKS - PART THREEE/IMG_3775.jpg)
Next onto the piping, I cut the fabric strips on the bias and joined a couple of lengths together, as it was not quite long enough to go all the way around the waist.
![TOP FROM BLOCKS - PART THREE TOP FROM BLOCKS - PART THREE](assets/images/blog/2019/TOP FROM BLOCKS - PART THREEE/IMG_3767.jpg)
The bias strips are then wrapped around piping cord and stitched in using a piping foot (we cover piping on our Develop Your Sewing Skills workshop).
I then sandwiched the piped cord between the top bodice and bottom section and sewed all three together at the waist seam.
All that was left to do was insert a concealed zip and sleeves then finish the neck off with a binding and this is was it looked like.
![TOP FROM BLOCKS - PART THREE TOP FROM BLOCKS - PART THREE](assets/images/blog/2019/TOP FROM BLOCKS - PART THREEE/IMG_3768.jpg)
![TOP FROM BLOCKS - PART THREE TOP FROM BLOCKS - PART THREE](assets/images/blog/2019/TOP FROM BLOCKS - PART THREEE/IMG_3801.jpg)
![TOP FROM BLOCKS - PART THREE TOP FROM BLOCKS - PART THREE](assets/images/blog/2019/TOP FROM BLOCKS - PART THREEE/IMG_3804.jpg)
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