How to Create a Torn V-Neck Out of Any Pattern

Hey Introverts! I know it has been a minute. I have honestly written a few posts since my last one, but I just haven’t published them because they are very vulnerable and I don’t know if I am there yet. My sewing passion came from fighting a lot of pain that I have suffered in my life so for now I will express myself that way. I appreciate you all for taking the time to read my posts. I put a lot into them and want to always make sure that I am giving you enough information to go out and try these patterns yourself. Soon I will share my story, but in the time let’s get into a fun hack today.

Now, this hack you can do with any shirt or dress pattern that has a v neck. The pattern I choose was Simplicity 8657. I had this blue sweater knit fabric that I wanted to use as test fabric because I bought this beautiful teal fabric that I have been afraid to cut into. Sometimes you find the most beautiful pieces of fabric but aren’t sure what would look best, and since you can’t get more of it you hoard it for a bit. So while I wait on that inspiration to come to me I experimented with an idea I had.

I’d seen and have v neck tops where the collar is not completely attached. I call it the unfinished V neck. I didn’t see any patterns like that so I decided to come up with my own. Ashley, do you ever follow a pattern? No, I can’t help it, I don’t follow directions very often with patterns because they are just templates to me. It’s the rebel in me. Case in point the pattern suggested using the following options for fabric choices:

• Batik
• Challis
• Chambray
• Cotten Types
• Gauze
• Linen Types
• Silky Types
• or Voile

None of those are stretchy knits as you can see. So how did you make it work? Glad you asked. The first thing to make note of is that this is a loose-fitting design so that means however baggy it is if you had used woven fabric it will be twice as baggy using fabric with a lot of stretch like a sweater knit. Also, you want to make sure to note how it drapes. Sweater knit can get very heavy at the bottom if too long so you need to have strong shoulder and neck reinforcement. Initially, I wanted a long Caftan, but what always happens is that I use fabric for something than what I initially intended and end up not having enough so I settled for mid-length. Here’s where the fun begins:

1. I took my measurements and then went down a size so from L to M and proceed to cut out my pattern and fabric. (You have to do this when using knit for a woven pattern otherwise it will be ginormous)
2. I took the front and back pieces and measured out 10 additional inches to the second shorten or lengthen cut line.
3. For the front piece instead of cutting out two pieces of fabric, I put the seamline against the fold moved it over to subtract the 5/8 seam allowance on both sides and then cut. (This way I didn’t have an ugly seam down the middle of my sheer top)
4. Next, I took the back tie piece and used it as my template for the collar. I cut out the pattern piece and then I cut the ends diagonally after folding the wrong sides together. The longest part of the diagonal cut should be the open end and not the centerfold.

Side note: If you don’t have a tie available in your pattern you can do the following. Measure around the v neck and had add your seam allowance to that measurement. So if your v neck measured 12 inches then add 5/8 in X 2. After you have the length figured out then you need to figure out how wide you want it. I chose to go with 1 inch plus my seam allowance. Then, you can cut diagonally as mentioned earlier.

Now back to sew everything together.

1. Stitch the back pieces together right sides facing.
2. Next, connect the front to the back pieces at the shoulder. (I used a stretch stitch, which you can find on your machine through your user manual)
3. Then, I stitched the sides and stopped at the large circle so that I had a split on the sides.
4. Then, I stitched the collar with the wrong sides facing. (Make sure to use a serger or zig-zag stitch so that it doesn’t come apart)
5. Lay the shirt flat, turn the collar upside down so that the sharpest point matches with the sharpest point of the body of the shirt.
6. Stretch the collar as you pin it to the neckline. Then sew from the center of the v neck to a little past the shoulder seam so that the seams lay flat.
7. After that create a narrow hem for the sides of the top, hem the sleeves and bottom and you’re done!

And you can try this with any knit top or even cotton tops with some stretch. I hope you found this helpful. Now I’m off to pretend like I was chillin’ by the pool. The pool is still closed due to COVID 19. Eventually, I will get to wear this as a cover-up for the pool or beach after I lose this quarantine 15, lol. If you went to college then you probably heard of the 15 lbs you put on as a freshman from eating SO well. Well, that happened to me during the quarantine. Oh well, so instead of the Freshman 15, we shall now call our extra love muffins quarantine 15. Summers here are too hot anyway so I’ll get poolside ready for the fall.

If you try my hack please let me know, I’d love to see how it worked out for you. And if you have any questions just holla!

 

 

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