Skip to main content

Summer of T-shirts: Lace-backed Casual Top

This week's blog is by Julie, the moderator of the Fabricistas blog. 

If you've been following the Summer of T-shirts Event since the beginning, you know that I started this event after being inspired by the vast amount of t-shirt styles out in stores and in pattern lines. Something so simple, like a t-shirt, can be transformed into so much more. 


I love combining different fabrics when I make t-shirts. And many of the ideas I had for this event were to combine lace and knit for a boho chic look.

For this post, I'm going to share with you how to turn a basic t-shirt pattern into a high-low hem and loose fitting lace back.


I used Pamela's Patterns Perfect T-shirt. I know it fits me well when made as is and I've pattern hacked it a number of times with success. Pull out the front and back bodice pieces and let's get started!



Front Bodice
1) Starting with the front bodice piece, trace the top portion on to pattern paper. Stop tracing just after the dart. (If you have one on your pattern.) If you don't, then trace about 2-3" from the top of the underarm seam.


2) At the base of the front piece, make a mark 1/2" from the edge of the pattern. Using a ruler, grade in from the 1/2" mark on the bottom edge, to the mark near the dart where you stopped tracing. This will make the shirt have a little less shape, creating a looser, more casual look on the front. I didn't want the hemline to be curved up, so I straightened it on the side seams.





Back Bodice
3) Making the top back pattern piece - Figure out where you would like the seam on your back. After you have that figured out, draw a line across the back bodice piece. This line should be about 2" below the underarm. This pattern piece will replicate the back bodice piece exactly, except that it will be shorter.






4) Making the bottom back pattern piece - Lay your pattern piece on blank pattern paper. Trace seam line onto the pattern paper. (The seam line is the line you made on the pattern paper that separates the knit top piece to the lace bottom piece.) Measure 1 1/4" from the side seam, all the way down to the hemline. This will create the loose lace back piece. Mark the end as shown in the photo. (This will help when you make the curve from the hemline to the side seam.)



5) Measure 4" from the hemline. This will make the back piece longer in the back for the high-low look.

6) Using a french curve, find a curve that you like and connect the hemline marks to the side seam marks.

Pattern Comparison:


When I made my back piece, I wanted there to be a fold in the back, like you see in the back of buttondown shirts. Since I was creating my own pattern, I needed to mark that fold on my pattern piece.

7) Lay the top back and bottom back pieces together. Your bottom piece should be 1 1/4" wider that the top piece.

 Match up the side seams to see how much you have to work with.


8) Make a mark 3/4" from the fold line. Fold the pattern piece so the side seams match and the pattern is laying flat on your cutting board. Make a mark where the fold was made. You will then transfer these marks to the fabric. (If you don't want to do this, you could also baste the seam on the bottom back bodice and pull the thread to gather and match the top back bodice piece.)


Close-up of the back fold.
You've now finished the pattern making process! 

Sewing Tips:
- Sewing this shirt together is really easy! Sew the top back and bottom back pieces together before sewing the rest of the shirt together per the directions. You may also need to fuse some woven stay tape to the knit portion of the back seam. It will stabilize the lace and knit seam so it doesn't stretch when sewing.


- Try the top on before you sew the hem. I ended up cutting off a little bit to make it the length I desired. You may also need to make a smoother transition from the front bodice to the back bodice.

- Try a different kind of neckline! Pamela's Patterns Perfect T-shirt comes with 3 different necklines. She also has a pattern of New Necklines and Sleeves which can be used with this pattern. I selected the v-neck, but did something a little different for the neck -- I took strips of black knit and sewed them to the neckline with the right side of neckline strips to the wrong sides of shirt. Knits do not fray so it's a quick and easy finish to a fun, casual top. When they are washed, the raw edges roll in on themselves giving it an even more interesting look.



- Other fabric options: I personally really like mixing lace with knits. But if you're not into lace, I could see this made with chiffon solids or prints. You could also use a contrasting knit fabric for some colorblocking. How would you combine fabrics for an interesting t-shirt?



As you can see, I am wearing a cami underneath. You could be daring a wear it bare! (I'm not that daring and do not care to share it with the world! It would also be fun to wear a different color cami to help highlight the lace even more.

Don't forget you can sew along with us at home. Share you t-shirt pattern hacks (new ideas you have and ideas that we have shared with you) on Facebook and Instagram using #FMSummerofTshirts. At the end of the summer, we will compile all the people that used the hashtag and you will be entered into a random drawing for $75 gift certificate to Fabric Mart!

Comments

Post a Comment

Thanks for leaving a comment! All comments are reviewed before posting to help us eliminate spam. Your comment will be posted within 24 hours.

Popular Posts You Might Like

Made By A Fabricista: Workwear Ready

I'm excited for my first post in 2023! At the beginning of the year, I recently went back to working in person so now I am looking to make and wear pieces that I can wear to work.  The goal is to be functional but also very fashionable since I am a fashion design professor. I saw this blue denim fabric and knew I wanted to make some pants; I just wasn’t sure what kind.  I decided to make Mimi G x Simplicity S8985 View B pants.  I liked the oversized flare look, I just made one slight modification to them by adding a pintuck along the front.  This was easy to add since the waistline was called to be slightly gathered to fit.  The fabric had a hand closer to linen and was very lightweight which was great and very satisfying to sew.  I lengthened the pants by 3” and finished with a 2” hem. The top I used Simplicity S9707.  It’s an oversized partial button down top.  I decided to create a high low hem by combining two different views.   I loved the print of the fabric but honestly as s

Made By A Fabricista: A Denim Set for Spring

Happy Friday All! I am ecstatic to share my latest make that I had on my to make list for a while.  My goal for the month of February was to sew a mini vacation capsule for a trip, but unfortunately I did not get a chance to. I was able to make 3 of the 6 pieces including this denim set. When this beautiful denim fabric arrived, I knew exactly what I wanted to make. I have been wanting to recreate a linen look I made a few years ago using the Montoya coat pattern with a few adjustments.  I created VIEW A without the peplum and lengthened it by 6 inches. Instead of sewing the tie inside the seam of the top like I did here, I wanted to make it separate so that it looks like a jumpsuit. (Read the blogpost here ). Moreover, my body has changed and I needed to cut a size larger so that I can rock it as an open vest or a top tucked in. I love the way it turned out but wish I had extended it by 8 inches instead of 6. For the pants, I went to my tried and true simplicity 8605 pants pattern and

Made By A Fabricista: Three Spring Basics – With a Twist

Hello Sewing Friends! By the time spring rolls around I am ready to pack away my winter wardrobe and wear my warm weather clothes. Since I don’t go into an office setting – and I like to be comfortable - basic essentials in my wardrobe include t-shirts, cardigans and knit dresses. The Cardigan The idea of sewing elevated basics came about when I spotted this fabulous FTY knit with a sequin floral and scrolls pattern.  With sequins for daytime being a spring 2023 trend, I decided to use the fabric to sew a cardigan. This is not your typical cardigan. Not only did I choose a sequin knit, but I chose what I consider to be a unique pattern, the Cascade Dress from The Sewing Workshop (now out of print). I have sewn it a few times but never with sequin fabric. My cardigan is actually a top that is designed to button down the front but I made a few small changes to the pattern. I lengthened the front by four inches, removed the front plackets, and added a button and fabric loop at the front n