Easy batwing/dolman sleeve top {tutorial}

- See this post on our new website -

 I had to do a bit of research to find out what this kind of top is called. I began at my usual starting point (good old google) and tried 'lazy sleeve' and then 'squirrel sleeve', which revealed the same basic style of top, but for some reason it seems to be mainly used by asians. Interesting. If anyone has an explanation, they are welcome to comment :)

The search 'wide sleeve narrow end' lead me to 'trusty' Wikipedia page on sleeves. Wikipedia led me to believe that it is called a Dolman sleeve. However, it seems that both the batwing and Dolman sleeve terms are used interchangeably or together. Batwing sleeves are generally not 'set-in' sleeves, but rather a continuation of the same piece of fabric as the main body of the top.

To make the heart necklace worn here, follow my tutorial.

Anyway, let's get down to the fun part of the top.

What you need:
Fabric, 1m should be enough as it just needs to be long enough to get from your shoulder to your hips. (I used a viscose lycra for this one, but any knit or slightly stretchy fabric could work)
The usual sewing stuff (overlocker/sewing machine if no overlocker, thread, scissors, pins)

I used a top that my brother bought for me in Korea as a guide, but if you don't have one then you can make a rough pattern out of a top that you have and some newsprint. Make sure that it is a top that is fitted around the hips as you want the top to fit a little snug there. Then just draw a line from the one end of the sleeve down to the end of the top to make the batwing.

Fold your fabric double, right sides together and place your guide on top.

Cut around the guide, allowing about 3cm for the seam.

Cut a scoop into one piece of fabric, for the front neckline. You can make this as high or low as you like.

Sew along the dotted lines, but only on one side of the top. The other side will stay unsewn to allow the extra piece to be added for a nice edging.

Cut a piece of fabric a little longer than the total distance around the neckline and about 6cm wide. 

Fold this strip in half, right sides OUT. Pin this onto the RIGHT side of the top, with the raw edges all meeting, as above. Pin this the whole way along and then sew. 

This should leave you with a small tube running along the top of the neckline.

Now fold the top in half, right side together (inwards) again. Sew down the edges that were left open last time.

All that is left to do now is hem the armholes and the bottom edge. Before hemming, just try it on to check that the arm holes are comfortable and that the length is right. If not, trim a little before hemming. 

I hemmed with a herringbone stitch, which leaves the stitch practically invisible on the outside and allows a little give for stretching

Next time I may try this herringbone method.

Striped tee dress {tutorial}

- See this post on our new website -

Some photos have been sitting on my harddrive since April, waiting to be posted. Since I finally have some time, here goes..

Excuse the poor photos, I tend to be a night time crafter..

All you need it a fabric of your choice, and the usual sewing stuff (thread, scissors, sewing machine/overlocker..)
I also used a T-shirt and dress to make a pattern out of newspaper.

Find a T-shirt that you like, fold it in half lengthways and trace around it, allowing for seams.

Then place a dress on top to trace for the skirt length and shape. I used this dress as my guide. 

Cut out the pattern.

Fold your fabric so that one edge is in the centre (i.e. half your fabric is folded in half, with the other half unfolded). Place the newspaper pattern on the fabric, with the straight edge (centre line) on the fold of the fabric and cut out around the pattern. 

Note: If you are using stripes you must try and match the stripes up as closely as possible when you are folding the fabric in half. This ensures that the lines will run straight across your bosy and not be skew. 

Repeat this with the second half of the fabric so that you have a back and a front to the dress. Here you can use either the pattern or the first cut out as your guide.

 Take just one piece, the piece that will be the front of your dress and cut out a scoop for the neckline. Here I just used the neckline of the dress as a guide.
Note: This can be adjusted later, so rather cut off too little than too much.

Pin the two sides together and then sew along the shoulder line and from the armholes down, on each side.

Then all you need to do it fit the dress on, adjust as you see fit and hem in whatever way you feel works best.

Here I simply folded the fabric about 1cm over and did a black herringbone stitch, which is invisible on the outside of the dress.

Enjoy
Xx