Lace Top T Shirt

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• 

  Step 1

  You'll need:
  A t-shirt
  Tailor's chalk or sewing marker
  About 1/3 yd of lace (make sure it isn't flimsy or rips easily, it has to hold up the rest of the fabric, you can use stretch or non-stretch lace)
  Stay tape for shoulders
  One package bias binding tape for arm and neck openings
  Matching thread
  Paper to trace your pattern on and cutting mat
  Tracing wheel
  Ruler

• 

  Step 2

  First try on your t-shirt inside out in the mirror. Using your chalk/marker draw a line from under the sleeve across your chest to the other sleeve. Don't worry about making a perfect line, we'll fix it later, the important part is that your line is high enough to cover up the top of your bra!

  Now take off the shirt and lay it flat.

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  Step 3

  Using a ruler draw a straight line on the back of the shirt from under each sleeve.

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  Step 4

  Now cut along that back line - sleeve to sleeve.

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  Step 5

  Here's where we make that from line nice and symmetrical. Fold the front of the shirt in half matching up the under-sleeve points. Pin and re-draw your line if you want. Once you're satisfied, cut along the line.

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  Step 6

  From here you now have two pieces - top and bottom. You can either use your bottom piece as a template for a new t-shirt bottom (like I did) or just use it as is. We'll be using the top section to make our lace yoke.

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  Step 7

  Using the paper and tracing wheel trace around the outside edges of your shirt top front.

  Take off the shirt top and draw your traced piece, add seam allowances.

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  Step 8

  My original tracing from the cut-off t-shirt is in green. However, I wanted to make some changes. The original shirt has set in sleeves but to make this easier I'm making the yoke have cut-on sleeves. Also, because my lace isn't stretchy like t-shirt jersey I'm making my sleeves shorter so it is more comfortable. I'm also making my neckline larger because the lace can't stretch to fit my head. Finally, I curve the shoulder slightly so it's not so square. The pink lines make my the adjusted pattern piece.

  Repeat this step to make the back yoke.

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  Step 9

  With right sides together pin your shoulders. Add a length of stay tape for each shoulder and stitch the shoulders. You can use a serger or a zig zag stitch. Trim tape and threads.

  The stay tape helps to stabilize the delicate lace seam. You could also use clear elastic

• 

  Step 10

  Now you can stitch your yoke to your t-shirt bottom. Right sides together pin the yoke to the front and back of the t-shirt bottom then stitch the under portion of the sleeve. Use a zig zag stitch or a serger with the stretch knit t-shirt fabric.

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  Step 11

  Finally add bias tape to the neck and sleeves and either stitch in the ditch or topstitch in place.

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Posted by

Sarania

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Ravens Trove · Wenatchee, Washington, US · 35 projects 3rd October 2013

Really nice tutorial. Thanks.

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Steph. · Reading, England, GB · 212 projects 3rd October 2013

wow! I always wondered how those tops were made ^^ Your's looks lovely

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