Halter neck top – A DIY pattern

Halter neck is usually said in the same breath as sexy, glamorous and similar adjectives. It is a classic style which never goes out of fashion. 

This flattering pattern is based on a Raglan pattern without the arms. It has a band that connects the bodice to the neck, leaving shoulders and arms exposed. The band runs from the front of the garment to the back. It is named after the halter which is placed around a horse’s neck. 

The easy fitting style can be adopted to look glamorous in a shimmery fabric or very practical in summer in cool cottons.

Check out the post on the best dress styles for your body shape to know which styles suits you and why. If you are a beginner at sewing do check out the Basics of learning to sew at home

How to draft Halter top pattern and sew it

Pleated Halterneck top

An easy to make Halter top pattern

Step 1. Mark the pattern pieces 

You need two fabric pieces 30 inches long and width equalling more than half of your hip round plus some 5 inches. Fold both these pieces by half and mark the following measurements
You will need to take your bust round and hip round
Halter neck top pattern

Step 2. Cut the pattern from fabric

Cut out 2 pieces of the halterneck top pattern from folded fabric.

Step 3. Cut Binding for the armscye

Use bias binding strips ( if you do not know how to cut them check out the tutorial to make bias binding strips) and keep them right side down along the arm line.

Step 4. Stitch the edges with a 1/4 inch seam allowance

Keep the binding strip right side down on the armhole edge.Sew the binding strip to the armhole edge with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Step 5. Turn the binding to the back

Fold the edge of the binding to the inside. Press.

Step 6. Sew the binding

Step 7. Fold and stitch the top edge

In the pattern I have left 2.5 inches extra along the line C- D – this is for the frill along the top edge. First fold the top edge 1/4 inch to the inside, press in place. Then fold again to meet the line C-D. Stitch in place. (C-D is the original top edge – whatever fabric is above is for a frill)

Step 8. Pleat the Top edge

After pleating, the top edge should measure 8 inches. If you are a wide-shouldered person increase this to 9 inch.
Do all these for the front pattern and back pattern

Step 9. Sew the front and back together at the side seams.

Step 10. Finish the hem.

After joining the front and back finish the hem. To Sew the bottom hem – I made a baby hem – turn over twice very narrowly and stitch in place.

Step 11. Attach Straps

Make the straps following the instructions given below and attach to the top

How to Make the straps

You need more bias strips for this – I cut a 1-inch wide bias tape which is 37 inches long. Fold the short edges to the inside and press in place

Make a small button loop for the strap

To make the button loop  just take a small  fabric piece 2 inch long and 1 inch wide. Fold it right sides together. Stitch some 1/8 inch along the folded edge. Attach a thick and blunt needle and thread near one short edge ( anchor thoroughly ) – insert the needle ( or the eye portion of the needle first) through the hole near to where it is anchored. The tube has to be gently coaxed through the space between the stitching line and the fold. You will get a nice thick but thin button loop. 

Attach it to one short end of the bias tape you have kept for the straps. Hand Baste it inside the folds of the bias tape.

Stitch the bias tape into a strap by folding the edges to the inside and topstitching. Secure the button loop with machine stitches

Sew strap to top

Keep the strap on the front of the top such that the button loop is to the right ( when you look at it) – leave 10.5 inches of the straps after the button loop.(10 inch for a short person)

Pin the strap on the pleat stitching line.Stitch in place

Then again leave 10. 5 inches (10 inch for a very short person) and then attach the remaining of the strap on the back pleating line. If by some miscalculation you have extra strap just fold it to the back and stitch in place. 

Attach a button on the back, along the edge, where you can fasten it to the button loop you have made. If you do not know how to sew a button look at this post on many ways to sew buttons

That is it – you have your halter top. 

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