As a 14-year-old who loves sewing, this is the first project I made without a pattern. This shirt is an easy, fashionable garment for a sewer of any level. In just 7 steps, make your own Off-the-Shoulder Top!

Supplies

- Min 20x20 in of main fabric (cotton, cotton knit, linen)*

- Min 2x45 in of shoulder fabric (can be the same material as main fabric or lace)

- 1/4 inch elastic (length of shoulder circumference)

- Sewing machine and other sewing essentials (measuring tape, scissors, thread, pins, safety pin)

*Cotton is suggested for beginner sewers

Step 1: Measurements

For the length of your main fabric, measure from your collarbone to the desired length on your torso. The width of your main fabric will be your waist measurement plus 4 inches. For the elastic, measure around your shoulders plus 2 inches.

Step 2: Cutting Your Fabric

Cut 2 pieces of your main fabric to your desired length and the width measurement divided by two. In the top two corners of each piece of the main fabric, cut the fabric 4x2 in rectangles for the armhole. Round edges. For the shoulder piece, cut the fabric in a rectangle 2x45 in. It is natural to see curling of the edges for cotton knit fabric.

Step 3: Sew the Bodice

With right sides together, sew down one length of the main fabric below the armhole using a seam allowance of 15 mm. First straight stitch, then zig-zag stitch on top of the straight stitch to reinforce. Pinning pieces together may make sewing easier.

Step 4: Preparing the Shoulder Fabric

With your shoulder fabric, fold down 1 inch and straight stitch right along the length of the fabric to create a tube. This tube will be used for the elastic.

Step 5: Assembling the Parts

Open the main fabric and centre shoulder piece along the top edge of the bodice. Straight stitch right below the shoulder tube to attach the two pieces together in the highlighted areas.

Step 6: Closing the Main Fabric

Fold the fabric in half, right sides together (the side of the fabric you want on the outside of your garment). Straight stitch then zig-zag stitch down the open side of the main fabric with a seam allowance of 15 mm. Turn fabric right side out.

Step 7: Elastic

Attach a safety pin to the elastic and thread through the shoulder tube. Scrunch up the fabric and pull the safety pin through the tube. Ensure that both ends are sticking out opposite sides of the tube once finished. Knot ends of elastic together 2-3 times. Sew open lace ends together by straight stitching with a seam allowance of 10mm.