Sewing a Seam for a Neck

Even novice sewers can add a professional-looking neckline to a shirt.

A typical shirt neckline cannot be finished neatly in the same way a hemline is sewn. When finishing hem and waistband seams, the fabric is simply turned under and sewn in place. However, the fabric around a typical neckline tends to bunch and does not lay flat when the same method is used. To compensate for this, a separate piece of fabric is used to complete the neckline for a smooth, professional-looking finish.

Things You'll Need

• Soft tape measure
• 1/4 yard fabric (a fabric that coordinates with the shirt)
• Sewing machine (or sewing needle)
• Thread
• Straight pins

Instructions

1. Measure the circumference of the neck opening with a soft tape measure. Multiply the circumference by 0.85. Add 1/2 inch to this measurement. This is the length of fabric necessary to finish the neck seam. The fabric is cut a bit shorter than the circumference of the neckline to make the shirt lay flat when it is completed. Cut a strip of fabric to this length by 2 inches in width. This width will make a neckband that is 3/4 inch wide.

2. Fold the strip in half widthwise with the right sides together. The two short ends of the strip should be together. Sew the short ends together with a straight stitch, one-quarter inch away from the edge for the seam allowance. The fabric is now a loop.

3. Fold the fabric in half lengthwise and sew a 5mm by 2mm zigzag stitch down the long, rough edge.

4. Hold the neckband with the new zigzag stitch facing away from you. Slide the neckband over the neckline of the shirt. The new zigzag stitch is now aligned with the rough edge of the shirt’s neckline and the remainder of the neckband is resting on the shirt.

5. Pin the neckband in place. Tug gently on the neckband to make it stretch to the circumference of the neckline as you insert pins.

6. Sew a 5mm by 2mm zigzag stitch all the way around the neckline to attach the neckband.

Resources

• Singer: Stitch Reference