I decided to give one last shout out to summer with this lovely little lace crop top. You may have seen it earlier as part of my homecoming outfit, but it also works really well for casual attire, such as these boots and cut off shorts. This crop top is not just one for the summer but can carry you through the fall with a little help from a cardigan.
Supplies:
3/4 yd stretch cotton
1 yd stretchy lace material
7 inch zipper
Sewing machine
Scissors
Measuring tape
Pencil
Parchment paper or pattern making paper
Sewing pins
Stretchy tank top
Sleeve pattern
Hem tape
1. Using the measuring tape, measure the length you want the crop top to be starting at wear you wish the neckline to start.
2. Fold your tank top in half and place it on the parchment paper. Measure the to the length you determined and add an inch for the hem. Trace around the shirt adding about 1/2 inch to the outside for seam allowance. Cut out the pattern, you have created. On my pattern, I created two necklines: one for the front that was a scoop neckline and followed the tank top neckline and a higher neckline for the back.
3. Find the stretch of your fabric by pulling it horizontally and vertically to see which way stretches the most. Place the pattern so the stretch will be going across the pattern.
4. Pin the pattern on a fold and cut. Note: fold your pattern to the lower neckline for the front.
5. Fold your fabric in two and cut two pieces for the back. Add 1 inch to the outside of the pattern to allow for the zipper seam.
6. Repeat steps 4 & 5 with the lace material.
7. Pin the lace on top of the stretch cotton and stay stitch them together. (Stay-stitching is a basting stitch that holds the fabric so it will not stretch or distort while you are working with it)
8. Pin the side pieces, right sides together, to the front piece. Sew together and it should look like the picture below.
9. Now it's time for the sleeve. First, create a pattern. I used a sleeve pattern from one of my dress patterns as a starting point. Put the tank top you are using as a pattern and the sleeve pattern on a mannequin or yourself (the sleeve pattern should start at the top of shoulder). Then, using the measuring tape, measure the extra space in between the strap and and the start of the sleeve pattern. Right down the measurements and measure down the arm.
10. Place the sleeve pattern on the parchment paper to create a new pattern. Using the measurements you found, mark above the sleeve pattern. Measure around your arm to find the width that you want your pattern. Make sure to place the width measurement at the center of the pattern. Note: I only created the top part of the pattern. For the length, use a yardstick to create a straight line to the length you want off the pattern you have create.
11. Measure the length that you want your sleeve (from where you want the sleeve to start to where you want it to end). Remember to put the pattern horizontally across the stretch of the fabric. Cut two pattern pieces for sleeves.
12. Fold the sleeves in half, wrong sides together and pin. Sew.
13. Pin the sleeves so that the side seam of the bodice and the sleeve seam are lined up. The top portion of the sleeve should not be connected to the bodice. Sew.
14. Pin the back pieces of the bodice together where the zipper will go. Mark the length of the zipper with fabric chalk. Sew to where the zipper will begin and leave the rest open.
15. Pin the zipper in the open space and sew it in.
16. Pin a hem around the neckline, top of the sleeves, and the bottom of the sleeves. Sew.
17. Use hem tape to finish the bottom. First pin and iron the hem where you want it then follow the direction on the hem tape.
All done! Now you have a fabulous lace crop top that you can dress up or dress down and show off your bikini body a little while longer.
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