It’s barely noticeable, yet it makes all the difference. The continuous lap placket is that subtle detail that gives shirt and blouse cuffs a refined, polished finish. Behind its apparent simplicity lies true craftsmanship. Finer than a simple opening, more discreet than a lined slit, the continuous lap placket is an essential technique for a clean, professional look.
In this article, we’ll guide you step-by-step to achieve a flawless result. From cutting and sewing to careful folding, every movement matters!
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Continuous lap placket
This placket is the one most frequently used on blouses and shirts. The cuff edges end with the placket edges.
To make a lap placket, all you have to do is follow these four simple steps:
1. To bind the edges, you need a strip of fabric 2 x as long as the placket and 4 x as wide as the finished binding width. For soft, thin fabrics, cut out the strip on the straight grain. For dense, thicker fabrics such as poplin and flannel, a bias strip is more suitable.
Slash the sleeve along the slash line. Pull the slashed edges apart, place them on the binding strip right sides together and stitch close to the edge. At the slashed end (arrow), topstitch as little of the seam as possible.
2. Press the seam allowances into the binding strip. Fold and press the other long edge of the binding strip such that the
distance between the fold and the joining seam is equal and 2 x as wide as the finished binding width.
3. Fold the binding strip in half to the inside and pin to the joining seam.
4. Sew on the binding strip by hand or from the right sleeve side and topstitch to the joining seam close to the edge, catching the inner half. At the top of the placket, stitch the binding strips to each other on an angle.
At the front placket edge (the edge that is farthest away from the side sleeve edge) fold the binding strip to the inside and pin. At the
back placket edge, the binding will protrude as an underlap.
When done well, the continuous lap placket blends naturally into the garment, offering flexibility, durability, and comfort. It's perfect for any design where subtle elegance makes all the difference. With a little care and precision, this technique will quickly become a valuable asset in your sewing projects, whether you’re a beginner or more experienced.
Get ready to dive in: shirts, blouses, light dresses… soon the continuous lap placket will hold no secrets for you!
And to find all the essential sewing techniques in one single guide:
