Make Your Own Perfect Fit Dolman Top!

Create your own perfect fit dolman pattern!

Posted by JeanineThomlinson

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A quick 30 min project to make your own Dolman top pattern!

This Tutorial will show you how to draw your own pattern for a dolman top using a tee you already have as a guide in very simple steps. Creating your own pattern will allow you to get the ideal fit you want!

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You Will Need (2 things)

  • Fabric
  • Sewing Machine

Steps (8 steps, 60 minutes)

  1. 1

    To Create your own pattern you want a tee that is close fitted but not super tight on you.

    For a Dolman top you will want to fold the tee in half and add some width and a little curve under the arm. Make sure you have an inch of "sleeve" portion to the dolman pattern for hemming the tee. I drew long lines for indicating where I wanted the neckline to be at the top and the front.

    The ideal fabric for this is something like a bamboo lycra I used this fabric from the Fabric Fairy https://www.thefabricfairy.com/products/charcoal-and-grey-micro-stripe-bamboo-lycra-knit-fabric

  2. 2

    Here you can see the necklines easily. A higher neckline for the back (if you want).

  3. 3

    Cut out your pattern piece - here you can see how it compares to the tee. I rounded the edges of my dolman pattern a little for a little up on the sides at the bottom.

  4. 4

    Now, with right sides of fabric together, sew up the sides and the shoulders on both sides.
    On the shoulders you can use a serger or basic zigzag/ lightning bolt stitch.
    For the sides - if you rounded them like I did - use a lightning bolt and stop about a 1/4 to a 1/2inch before the bottom edge.

  5. 5

    The reason you stop before the bottom edge is so when you get to hemming you can easily just fold and hem

  6. 6

    Hem all your edges (neckline, armholes, bottom edge) by folding a 1/4inch and sewing with your lightning bolt/zigzag stitch.

  7. 7

    All done!!!

    I added a little graphic to the front by using my cricut and some iron on vinyl.

  8. 8

    a view of the back.