DOWNLOAD LINK AT THE END OF THE POST
I am coming back to super simple designs – and today it is the boxy top. This project may make the first time sewists find it less struggling to make a wearable piece of clothing. Just choose a piece of soft fabric – it may be stretchy knit (but don’t opt for very stretchy fabric as your home sewing machine won’t be able to handle it) or soft, flowy woven fabric (to make the top fall nicely along your body and look less boxy on you).
Please take a look at the 3D simulation of the this simple boxy top so you can imagine how it would look like on different fabrics and prints:
As usual, my pattern is made in 10 sizes from XXS to 5XL, so you will find yourself a suitable size. You can also lengthen or shorten the hemline to get your desired length – you can even make a dress from this pattern.
The pattern is made using layered PDF, please check for your desired size before printing so you won’t waste your paper. I have included a first page with many details about sizing and printing, so please first read the first page and make sure you know what size you need! If you still do not know how to print a layered PDF, please check for the instruction here.
You can print this using your home printer and A4/Letter paper. I calculated the printing area so that you will be able to use either type of paper to print the pattern out perfectly. Always print the first page first and check with the test square if you are printing at the right scale before you print out the whole pattern – avoid waste of ink and waste of paper, save the earth!
Some PC may print smaller than actual size even when you choose 100% scale – I don’t know why this problem exist, but my HP laptop cannot print true to size. I have to scale up to 103% to get the right size. You may need to check with your PC to see if it prints true to size, if not, scale up a bit.
HOW TO SEW THIS SIMPLE BOXY TOP
You will need
- Fabric of your choice
- Scissors, pencil or fabric marker, ruler, pins
- Sewing machine or needle and thread
- Printed pattern
What fabric can be used for this project? Stretchy knit, soft and flowy woven fabric – you can make a top from any kind of fabric, but make sure it is soft enough to fall on your body nicely so that you will not look like wearing a carton paper box.
How much fabric do you need for this piece of garment? Not too much. In general, a yard of fabric is enough. But to be precise, you may need to check how much fabric you need before buying. It will depend on the selected pattern size, the width, and design of the fabric you plan to use. Just to be sure, print all the paper patterns and lay them out at the width of fabric you plan to use (usually from 90 to 150 centimeters or 35 to 60 inches). Measure how much fabric you will need. Don’t forget to account for pieces that need to be cut multiple times and pieces that are cut on the fold.
Cutting instruction:
After printing out and taping all the pattern pages together, you will get something similar to this image:
You will see that there are 2 sets of lines on each pattern size. The inner lines are sewing line (and you sew along these lines), and the outer lines are cutting lines (you cut the fabric along these lines, remember the folding lines where you have to fold the fabric before cutting). The distance between sewing line and cutting line is seam allowance, and it varies from point to point. For example, the side seam allowance is about 1/2 inch (1.2cm), and seam allowance at hemline is 1 inch (2.5cm). This is the reason why I do not remove the sewing lines from the pattern. Please use it as a guide to know how much seam allowance you need to give at each seam.
Fabric will be cut into following pieces:
- Front: 1 piece cut on the fold
- Back: 1 piece cut on the fold
- Neckline binding: 1 piece, cut on cross grain if using stretchy fabric, or cut on bias if using non-stretchy fabric.
Make sure to mark all notches and other design features such as pleats etc. from the pattern piece onto your fabric. When sewing the garment, pay attention to notches, they must match up.
Sewing instruction:
1. Serge the fabric to prevent fraying. If you use non fraying fabric (like knitted fabric), you can skip this step.
2. Place Front and Back piece right side facing, sew shoulder and side seams.
3. Attach neckline binding to the garment.
4. Hem the garment – and you get it.
It is extremely easy and simple to make – for professional sewists, it may take only an hour or less, and the result is quite nice. You can wear it at home or for a walk around the neighbourhood.
And here is the download link:
SIMPLE BOXY TOP (SIZE XXS – 5XL)
Happy sewing! And don’t forget to share your project on my Facebook page: Tiana’s Closet Sewing Patterns
Tiana
Thank you so much for the opportunity to make your free to all patterns. Could I please ask if the tops/bodices are drafted for a ‘B’ cup or something else?
Thank you