Tie Front Knit Top Tutorial

When I’m sewing for myself or my kids, I want the items I’ve made to look like and have the quality of something you would buy at a store or boutique. (An exclusively expensive boutique, of course… {wink, wink})

Especially with knitwear.

I totally nailed it with this little tie-front Dolman-style knit top!

I didn’t time myself while sewing the top, (I take multiple breaks when sewing) but not counting the time it took to create and cut out the pattern, I am guessing it took no more than 40 minutes to make this top.  Yep, it’s that easy!

If you want your knit projects to have a professional look, you’ve got to have the right tools:  a walking foot and a ball-point stretch twin needle.

The walking foot (I use this one on my singer) and stretch twin needle (along with a loosened tension and lengthened stitch) will allow you to hem your knits without stretching out the hems and seams.  If you need more information on sewing with knits, I have quite a few tips and tricks in my Tunic Top tutorial.

She looks so cute in this little outfit- totally trendy with the chevron print top and leggings.  (I blogged about the leggings here).  I was a tiny bit concerned about the leggings being too sheer, but I had her give them the “official lululemon test” before wearing them to school.  Luckily, they passed.

Would you like to give this top a try?  I have uploaded the top in a size 4/5 and 6/7.  Also, I haven’t done it yet, but I will attempt to downsize the pattern to a size 2/3, so be sure to check back later.

In the meantime, I have included instructions on how to create a pattern for this top in any size.

Materials needed:

• up to 1 yard of 60 inch wide knit fabric. (for sizes 7 and below and depending on if you have a one way-repeat pattern.)
• ball point needle and ball point twin needle
• walking foot
• my pattern or if you’re making your own a loose fitting tee, pencil, ruler and paper to trace pattern on
• basic sewing supplies

Step 1:  The pattern 

A. Download and print the size 4/5 or 6/7 pattern here and assemble.  If you need to make a different size, keep reading step 1. (Otherwise skip to step 2). (Or if you already have a dolman-style top, trace that and skip down to the part about adding seam allowances and the ties.)

B. Get your measurements:
– Neckline to desired sleeve length
– Hip measurement (add 6 inches to this measurement, then divide by 4,so if her hip is 22 + 6 / 4, final # of 7)
– Shoulder to desired length

Even if you are making a different size, you can print the pattern for the ties as a guide to draw your own.

Step 2:  Cutting the fabric.
Lay out your fabric, so the most stretch is going side to side.  Fold one side over, selvage toward the middle (until you have enough width to to cut out the sleeve.)  Place the side of the pattern on the fold and cut out the front piece.

Step 3: Assembling the top

Place the front and back pieces right sides together and sew along the shoulders and side seams.

When you get to that tricky curved part, just go slow…

When you are using a double needle, you can’t pivot on turns like you normally do. I just sewed to the end, lifted my needle and presser foot and manually turned the fabric.

Step 4:  Adding the neck binding.

To determine the length of neckline binding, measure the neckline width and multiply by 2 for the entire neckline measurement. Subtract 1.75 from that number and cut a piece of your knit fabric to your number by 1.75 inches

(Tip: if you are using a rib knit or very stretchy fabric for the binding , I recommend cutting the neck binding even shorter. Multiply the neck line measurement by .7, then add the .5 seam allowance to that number,)

Fold this strip in half wrong sides together and press.

 

Re-fold the binding.

 

Using pins or a fabric marker, divide the binding into 4 equal sections and mark the spots.Do the same thing on the t-shirt neckline.  Keep in mind, the shoulder seams will not be the exact halfway point because the front neckline is slightly larger because of the dip.

 

Line up the 4 marked spots on the neckline and binding and pin the binding to the t-shirt.  The binding should be smaller than the neckline and the extra fabric should be evenly spaced along the binding.

Use a straight stitch and sew along the edge using 1/4 inch seam allowance, stretching the binding evenly from pin to pin.

Fold the sleeve edge over 3/8 inch and press.  Using your double needle and walking foot, sew along the edge of the sleeve.

That’s it you’re done!

 

 

 

Have fun and I can’t wait to see what you make, please come back and share!

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