![Staystitching a neckline - Tilly and the Buttons Staystitching a neckline - Tilly and the Buttons](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ze0l-1hTyCE/WAY9prKdy-I/AAAAAAAAT-A/6mtpvVyMyis8bcCIDpHCJwHL3TyQ2eW1QCLcB/s1600/Mathilde_sewing_pattern_1.jpg)
If you're making the Mathilde blouse, for example, staystitch the neckline on the yoke and back bodice pieces.
![Staystitching a neckline - Tilly and the Buttons Staystitching a neckline - Tilly and the Buttons](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QdEIImMYjhY/WAZN5IduE8I/AAAAAAAAT-8/3tNVXwQoRAkdFSy_R2_qRJpFUL3QRyaiACLcB/s1600/Mathilde_sewing_pattern_2.jpg)
Do your staystitching on each piece of fabric after cutting them out but before attaching the pieces to each other. It's a good idea to do it as a first step, as simply handling the fabric pieces can cause them to stretch out. Stitch a line parallel to the cutting line, within the seam allowance so you won’t see it from the outside of the garment - on a pattern with a 15mm (5/8in) seam allowance, you should staystitch about 10mm (3/8in) from the raw edge, but check the instructions for the pattern you're making in case a specific seam allowance is cited.
It’s a good idea to sew in the same direction on either side of the centre to keep things symmetrical. So on a neckline, for example, sew from one shoulder to the middle, then from the other shoulder to the middle.
And that's it!
Read more about sewing the Mathilde blouse...