How to Make an Off Shoulder Top (style 1)
Another simple recon tut, with a retro pin-up style flavor.
Difficulty:
Step 1
Take your big t-shirt and grab a tank top that fits well.
Category: Tutorials
How to Ruche or Gather with Elastic
This technique is super simple and can be used so many ways!
What is ruching? Well, it’s a fancy word for a fancy way of gathering fabric.
You’ll need some elastic- 3/8″ wide or less is best, and a scrap of fabric (let’s just practice for now!).
Difficulty:
Step 1
Here are the two basic rules of ruching: Your elastic should be the length you’d like the finished product to be. The fabric you are going to ruche should be significantly longer than your desired finished length.
For this example, our desired length is 7″, so we’ve cut a piece of elastic that is 7″ long. The fabric has been cut to 12″.
NOTE: Make sure your elastic can stretch the entire length of the fabric you are ruching. Duh, I know.
How to Sew a Keyhole Opening
This tutorial shows a keyhole in the front neckline of a top, but you can use the same technique for the front or back of a top or dress. You can also use it on bags, pockets, and more!
Difficulty:
Step 1
I’m starting with a top that is almost completed. I’ve sewn the front and back together, and added the sleeves.
As you can see, I’ve cut a hole where I want the keyhole to be. You can add a keyhole to the front or the back, like I said, in this case I’m putting it in front. You can do a pretty large keyhole in the back of a top, but keep in mind how much skin will be showing if you’re putting it in front. A more modest hole for the front is probably best. š
As always, start the hole small if you’re not sure. You can always cut it bigger, but you can’t make it smaller.
How to Make a Surplice or Cross-over Bust Tank Top
This little twist on a tube top is the perfect way to revamp a big t-shirt.
Difficulty:
Step 1
Start out with your large-ish tee.
Mark like so.
The larger piece should have a top measurement to match under your bust. Grab a tape measure and measure right under your boobs.
How to Make a Contour Bust or Ruffle Bust top or dress
This is a tube top style top with a contoured bust section that makes a little more form fitting than a plain old tube top.
At the end of the tutorial, there’s a variation for a ruffle bust, which looks like this:
Difficulty:
Step 1
You will need 4 pieces for this one.
The back is pretty much a standard tube top back.
The front is 3 pieces: 2 contoured bust pieces (they kind of look like sunglasses), and the bottom. It’s kind of like a tube top, too, but with the boobs cut out. š
