Easy-to-Sew Women's Halter Tops
From a cotton kerchief tied at the back to an elegantly draped silk top, a halter is one of a woman's most versatile and comfortable garments. Adaptable to any occasion and wardrobe style, halter tops are easily constructed using an endless range of fabrics. Textural variations can include natural gauze or muslin, casual flannel or calico prints, and luxurious velvet or satin. Transform a yard of fabric, a large handkerchief in a funky or classic print or a patchwork of leftover fabric scraps into a personalized halter top. However, don't forget an anything-goes imagination.
Things You'll Need
- 1 yard of fabric or 1 large square scarf
- 4 yards of 1-inch-wide satin or grosgrain ribbon
- 18 to 24 inches of silk cord
- Sharp scissors or rotary fabric cutter
- Ruler or quilter's square
- Iron
- Press cloth
- Sewing pins
- Sewing machine
- Invisible or matching thread
- 24-inch-long decorative silk or cotton cord
- Large safety pin
Instructions
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Fabric Halter Top
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1
Wash, dry and iron the fabric before starting a project to avoid shrinkage. Cut the selvage edge off 1 yard of fabric, then cut the fabric into a 36-inch square using sharp scissors or a rotary fabric cutter and a quilter's square or a ruler as a guide. Fold it in half on the diagonal, wrong sides matching, and press.
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2
Pin one end of a 4-yard length of satin or grosgrain ribbon to the fabric's right side, wrong side down. Begin at the center of the side, match the ribbon to the fabric's raw edge and leave about a 1/2 inch of ribbon free. Stitch the ribbon to the fabric one-half inch in from the outside edge.
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3
Fold the free end of the ribbon up over on itself at the corner, aligning the outer edge with the next raw edge of the triangle. Finger press a crease at the fold in the ribbon, then bring the outside edge down along the fabric edge. Pin and stitch along the side to the next corner and repeat the cornering process.
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4
Cut off the tail end of the ribbon about a half-inch past the beginning ribbon end at the start point. Finger press a 1/4-inch fold into the top piece of ribbon, lay it over the bottom piece, pin and finish stitching the main seam. Back stitch to the overlap, and sew along the edge to close the fold.
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5
Lay the triangle flat on a work surface with the print side up. Measure and cut off 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch of fabric across the top point of the triangle. Finger press a 1/4-inch fold across the top cut, then make another 1-inch fold. Pin the fold and stitch it to the main fabric close to the inside edge. Insert a large safety pin into the end of a length of silk or cotton cord and thread it through the tube at the top of the halter. Knot the ends of the cord, if desired.
Scarf Halter Top
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6
Wash, dry and press a large cotton, silk or satin scarf, using a press cloth with the iron set on low, dry heat if using silk or satin.
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Lay the scarf on point, or in a diamond shape, print side down on a work surface. Cut from 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch off the top point. Finger press a 1/4-inch fold in the fabric, then make another 1-inch fold.
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Pin the fold to the main fabric and stitch it closed near the inside edge to form a tube. Attach a safety pin to the end of a length of matching silk or cotton cord or ribbon and thread the pin through the tube to make a necktie.
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Tips & Warnings
Use 1 yard of matching satin ribbon in place of silk cord for the necktie.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
