Creating a Tie-Back Top
This weekend we carved our pumpkins…much later than usual. I’m usually ready to go as soon as October 1st rolls around since Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. This year it was fun watching Brynn really get into it. She helped scoop out the seeds and would giggle when she touched the slimy insides.
I love how every year is different with how much Nathan and Brynn can participate. I remember using the templates when I was younger where you poke holes along the pattern and then cut out your design, and this year Nathan really wanted to do that and he did a great job. Sometimes that kid can be so patient and careful…he definitely doesn’t get that from me.
I didn’t plan for this outfit to be for Halloween when I started it, but it turned out to be perfect. I think I need to get her some little cat ears. The sparkly black sweater knit came from Girl Charlee and I modified the Brynn Sweater pattern to have a tie back. I made a circle skirt with a couple layers of a tulle and a lining.
Here is how I made the tie-back sweater.
What You Need:
Enough 1″ ribbon to go around your neckline and tie in a bow.
You can use a shirt pattern you have or you can use the Brynn Sweater pattern with the sizes below:
Brynn Sweater Pattern 18 Months
Cut out your pattern pieces and then cut you back piece down as far as you would like it to go to create the open back. With right sides together, sew your front and back shirt pieces together at the shoulders.
Cut a piece of your ribbon that extends about 1/2″ above each shoulder and will fit around your back opening. (You can also use a piece of fabric cut to a width of 1″). With right sides together, pin the edge or your ribbon to the back and sew along the inside edge 3/8″.
With the wrong side facing you, fold the ribbon over to the inside and tuck the ends back toward the seam and pin in place. You shouldn’t be able to see the ribbon from the front.
Flip your shirt to the right side and sew along the bottom of the ribbon. You’ll have to feel where the ribbon is, but it looks better from the front if you sew from this side.
Now take another piece of ribbon that will fit around the front of the neckline from shoulder to shoulder and tie in a bow in the back. With right sides together, pin to the shirt and sew 3/8″ along the top.
Flip the ribbon over to the inside, the same way you did in the back and sew along the bottom edge, encasing the ribbon that runs along the back at the shoulders. Sew past the shoulder about 1″, leaving the rest of the ribbon out so it can be tied.
Finish the end of your ribbon by folding it 1/4″ then a 1/4″ again so the raw edges are encased. Sew along the fold. You may need to press your shirt with steam to reshape the ribbon if it is not laying right.
Finish your shirt as you normally would. A tutorial for the Brynn Sweater pattern can be found HERE.
If you have any questions, email me at sewalittleseam@gmail.com. You can also follow me on Facebook and Instagram by clicking on the icons on the top right, or below if you are mobile. Thanks!
