Lining a Garment

Now that I've demonstrated my well-practised unpicking skills:) I can think about how I'm going to put this top back together again.

The basic plan for making a lined garment is this:

• * make two of everything: one for the outside layer and one for the lining.
• * sew the outside layer to the lining layer--exactly how that happens depends on the shape of the garment.
• * Turn the lining to the inside of the garment and make sure it's going to sit happily
• * The clever thing is that the seam allowances of the two layers face each other in the space between the layers, leaving a nice smooth finish on both the inside and the outside!
• * finish off any other bits and pieces that need doing, such as hems, and that's the job done.

For a simple shape like a skirt, or even pants, that's straightforward enough. The lining is usually attached at the waistband and turned to the inside, it hangs nicely and the only thing to sort out is to make sure it doesn't peep out awkwardly at the bottom. For a top, it's a bit more complicated, because of the complex shape formed by the combination of the neckline and armholes. Planning which seams to leave undone so that the turning through part doesn't turn into a glorious tangle is the critical step.

My first step though, is to assemble each of the two layers. I'll get on with that and then look at how to combine them.