The clothing industry is now worth over $350 billion Trusted Source U.S. apparel market - statistics & facts | Statista In 2019, global retail sales of apparel and footwear reached 1.9 trillion U.S. dollars, and were expected to rise to above three trillion U.S. dollars by 2030. The fashion industry continues to have positive growth, especially in emerging markets within the Asia-Pacific and European regions. Asia Pacific was forecast to have a 38 percent share of global apparel demand by 2020. www.statista.com in the USA. So, it is easy to assume that you will need to spend a fortune if you want to keep up with the latest trends. However, this is not necessarily the case.
Learning how to make your own clothes can not only help you to save money, but you can also tailor your wardrobe to perfectly suit your body shape and showcase your personal style. While there are dozens of different styles of tops that can be a staple in your closet, according to Vogue Trusted Source 13 Stylish Halter Tops to Shop Now and Wear All Summer Long | Vogue With so many designers delivering elevated takes on the shoulder-baring style, 2021 seems to be the year of the halter top. www.vogue.com , the halter top is a summer must have.
So, here we’ll explore halter top pattern options and how you can create your own halter tops for this season.
A halter top takes its name from the neckline. A halter neck refers to a strap style where the strap goes around the neck rather than over the shoulders. Most halter top designs leave most of the back exposed.
Some halter tops are fastened with two straps tied at the back of the neck, while others have a button or clasp to close the straps. However, some have a closed loop strap that is pulled over the neck.
Regardless of the method of fastening, halter tops tend to have the same shape that creates a V shape in the cleavage. Depending on the top, this V can be quite deep, so some are quite revealing, but there are other styles that are more modest.
Due to this shape, most halter tops tend to be casual style, but you can get fabrics and designs that look great on a night out, even if the venue is more formal. Halter tops also make a great summer staple. They can be worn over a bikini top for a day out at the beach, so you can quickly head out to lunch without worrying about having too much flesh on show.
However, halter tops tend to be a warmer weather piece of attire. Although you may feel comfortable wearing a halter on a night out, because your arms and back are exposed, you may find it a little chilly to wear in the depths of winter.
Halters can be interesting, chic and a little suggestive, showing off your back and shoulders. If you have great collarbones, this should be a staple in your wardrobe. However, the style can also flatter the curvier woman, as you can draw the eye to your bustline and shoulders away from problem areas.
Before learning how to make a halter top, you’ll need to gather your supplies. In addition to knowing how to cut fabric straight, you will need some basic sewing tools and equipment to follow a halter top pattern. This includes sharp scissors, pins and a measuring tape. While it is possible to sew your halter top by hand, a good sewing machine will make it easier, particularly if you are working with thicker fabrics.
Finally, it is also a good idea to have a cutting mat. A good cutting mat, like the OLFA, not only protects your surface, but it also helps prevent the fabric from moving around as you’re measuring and cutting.
If you’re new to sewing, there is actually a simple halter top pattern that requires minimal sewing and can help you gain confidence in your clothes making skills. This is an easy halter top pattern that anyone can try, as you start with a basic T- shirt .
You will need scissors, chalk and a T-shirt. Choose a shirt that you like the color or pattern of, but bear in mind that it will need to be an appropriate size. You will need it to be a couple of sizes larger than you usually wear. So, if you typically wear a medium or large womens T-shirt, look for a men’s extra-large.
The first thing you will need to do is make some chalk lines on the shirt. These will help you to confirm where to cut. On the front, you will need to remove the sleeves at the arm holes and create a V neck from the round neck of the shirt. The depth of the V will depend on your preferences, but it is better to start with a more modest V, as you can always adjust later. However, leave the round neck intact.
On the back, mark a section where the halter will be backless. Again, leave the neck of the T-shirt intact.
Once you cut along the chalk lines, you will have the basic halter top pattern. You can then cut the round neck to create two straps that are still attached to the main body of the shirt. You can twist the straps to make them stronger and this will also help to make the back of the halter tighter.
You can then cross the straps and wrap them around your neck to tie the halter top shut.
Another easy and free halter top sewing pattern is to make a bandana halter top. This is quick and simple to make and it is easy to adjust to different body sizes. You’ll need a bandana and matching thread, one inch ribbon and a bodkin or safety pin.
Firstly, you’ll need to cut the fabric. Cut a 5-inch triangle with a 45-degree angle on a corner. Repeat on two other corners, but leave the final corner untouched. You can then either double turn hem the edges or serge cut the edges. Be sure to thread all the edge tails back through to keep it looking neat.
Next, create your neckline. This will form at the cut edge opposite the one uncut edge. Fold down one inch and iron before folding over again and ironing. Now, you’ll form the sides with the remaining two cut edges. Fold down ½ inch and iron and fold over again and iron.
Stitch all the ironed folds to make a casing on your edge. You can then use your bodkin or safety pin to thread ribbon through the casings. Use sufficient ribbon to suit your measurements and adjust to fit. If the ribbon is too long, you can always cut off the excess. Fray check or heat the edges of the ribbon with a lighter for a neat finish.
Tuck the remaining corner under the top and you have your halter top. You can straight tie the ribbon or crisscross it across your back according to your comfort level and style.
A pleated halter top is an attractive vintage style pattern that can be flattering to a variety of body shapes. While it may be a little more complicated than the basic style we discussed above, it can be a great way to learn how to make sewing patterns.
You will need two pieces of fabric 30 inches long with a width that is more than half your hip measurement plus five inches. Fold the pieces in half and then you can start marking the pattern. At the top you will need the fabric to be 8 inches across and 9.5 inches down. This provides for the neckline frill and top of the halter. It should then graduate down to ¼ of your bust measurement plus 1.5 inches before flaring out to your hip measurement.
For the next step, you should use bias binding strips to line the edge of the arm line. Stitch the edges providing a ¼ inch seam allowance. You can then fold and stitch the top edge. There is an allowance of 2.5 inches at the top for a frill on the top edge. Fold the top edge ¼ inch inside and press in place. Then fold again to the 2.5-inch mark and stitch in place. After you pleat the top edge, it should create a measurement of 8 inches, but if you’re wide shouldered, you can increase it to 9 inches.
Repeat for both the front and back pieces. You can then sew the front and back pieces together at the side seams and finish the hem.
Now, you’ll need to make the straps. This can be easily managed with bias strips. Use a one-inch bias tape to a measurement of 37 inches. Fold the short edges and press into place. Make a button loop with a small piece of fabric. Fold a piece of fabric two inches long and one inch wide. Attach it to one of the short edges of the strap bias tape.Hand baste it into the bias tape fold.
Stitch the bias tape to the garment securing the button loop with machine stitching. Keep the strap so the button is on the right and allow 10.5 inches of strap after the loop. Pin the strap to the pleat line stitching and secure it.
Attach the remaining strap onto the back pleating line. If you find you have extra strap, you can fold it at the back and stitch it into place. Attach a button along the edge so it can fasten to the button loop and that’s it!
A Tie Back is a classic halter top pattern. It is a great option for silky fabrics or it can be used with more unusual fabrics, for example to create a leather halter top. This halter top sewing pattern is a little more complicated, it takes more time than a wrap halter top pattern but it is well worth the effort.
The first part of the pattern requires folding a piece of fabric 22 inches long and 25 inches wide. You’ll need to measure your front bust measurement from one armpit across the bust to the other. Divide this measurement by two and add one inch allowance. The neckline will be 5 inches and the bodice part 16 inches.
You will also need two more pieces 30 inches in length for the back ties. One end should be 6 inches wide while the other is 3 inches, creating a basic triangle. Be sure to have the two pieces as mirror images, so the fabric is right side together.
Join the pieces together and finish the armhole edges. You can do this with an interfaced edge, bias binding or using double needle stitching. Edge the back ties and join them to the bodice.
Next, make a drawstring neck tie. Make a 50-inch drawstring for plenty of room and turn the top edge of the garment under twice; firstly ½ inch and then one inch. You can then insert the drawstring using a safety pin.
If you enjoy crocheting, now you have a basic appreciation for the halter top pattern, you can follow a crochet halter top pattern. You’ll need 3 balls of chunky yarn, a crochet hook, needle, scissors and a tape measure. This pattern will make a US size 6/8, but you can increase by 10 stitches or so to make it bigger.
Start with a loop in the yarn and chain 45 stitches or 12 to 14 inches. This will form the bottom of your halter top. Once you’ve created your chain, single crochet along the chain and repeat for three rows, to create four rows in total. At the end of the four rows, turn the work. Decrease one row at each end, chaining one and then single crochet, but missing the first stitch. Single crochet as normal until the last two stitches, decrease by missing the second stitch and then single crochet the last stitch.
Turn the work and continue by creating three normal rows of single crochet. Decrease at each end for one row and then alternate between a normal row and one decrease for three more rows.
Then decrease on each row until only 10 stitches remain. Cut and tie off, leaving sufficient yarn to sew in at the end. Make another yarn loop and start at the bottom right-hand side, single crocheting all the way around to create an edge. At the end, turn your work and work a second edging layer, but add in loop holes for your straps and the straps themselves.
To make a loop, chain four, miss a stitch and then single crochet into the next stitch. Work 10 single crochet and then make another loop. Continue single crochet until you reach the top neckline stitches.
To make the straps, chain away from the top until you have a line measuring 60 inches. This needs to be long enough to cross over the back multiple times. When the strap is long enough, turn back and work a slip stitch down until you reach the bottom. After you reach the bodice, single crochet into the stitch you started on and work along in a single crochet until the second strap stitch. Repeat to create an identical strap on the other side. Tie off your work.
You can then create trimming on the bottom of your halter top to make it a little longer. You can use any type of stitch, or create a scallop hem. Work upside down and work along your top. Edge the trim with a single crochet stitch and tie off your work. You can also add finishing touches such as tassels or beads.
As we have shown, a halter top can be a versatile addition to your closet. There are different styles and patterns to suit your body shape, preferences and personal style. You can even create a halter top in a variety of different fabrics, even thicker fabrics if you want a more substantial garment. While the style is predominantly summer themed, you can create halters to wear on nights out with a jacket over the top.
Once you master the basic halter top pattern, there is no end of possibilities. So, try a few ideas and then you can start experimenting to create the perfect garment for you while impressing your family and friends.
