Hello, and welcome to yet another free sewing tutorial. This is my first sewing tutorial for a top, and as you can already tell from the title or picture, it’s a simple turtleneck top with long sleeves. However, if you should so desire, you can also make it into a simple turtleneck top with ruching side ties. The ruching side ties will make it easy for you to transform this turtleneck top into a turtleneck crop top for a different look. But, as always, it’s totally up to you.
For this project you’ll need to use knit/stretchy fabric. Make sure to have a ball-point needle for your sewing machine because it will ensure that you don’t have skipped stitches. But this project is a good place to start if you don’t have much experience when it comes to sewing stretchy or knit fabrics. My fabric is actually made from recycled textiles and I dyed this fabric myself with some store bought dye. While I’m not exactly sure how/why the colour is splotchy it reminds me of the sun shining through leaves, which is a lovely sight.
You will need:
- chalk or a fabric marker
- fabric scissors
- 1.5-2m/1.6-2.2 yards knit/stretch fabric
- a long sleeve top/turtleneck of yours
- thread that matches your chosen fabric
- 2 safety pins
- sewing machine
- needle for sewing knit/stretch fabric
- an iron
Instructions for Sewing the Simple Turtleneck Top with Ruching Side Ties
How to Cut Out Your Fabric Pieces for the Simple Turtleneck Top & Ruching Side Ties
Step 1
Turn your top/turtleneck inside out and fold in half. Fold your fabric in half, making sure that the part that stretches will be along the width of your top. Use your chalk or fabric marker to trace around the top, making sure to include 1cm/0.4 inch seam allowance and about 2cm/0.8 inch hem allowance.
Make sure that the front and back of the top are the same length.
Step 2
For the sleeves you need to fold the fabric in half with the stretch going horizontal across the sleeve. Trace each side of the sleeve. If the front and back of the sleeve look too similar you can also label them. Remember to include 1cm/0.4 inch seam allowance and about 2cm/0.8 inch hem allowance.
Once you have cut out one sleeve you can use it to trace the other sleeve.
Step 3
Use your measuring tape to measure the neckline of your top, then subtract the seam allowance (which is 4cm/ inches). This will be the width of your turtleneck piece. You can make the length as long or short as you want, just remember to add 1cm/0.4 inch seam allowance and remember that you will fold it in half as well. The dimensions of my turtleneck piece were 26 by 46 cm/10.2 by 18.1 inches.
Step 4
This step is optional so only complete if you want to sew the ruching side ties. Cut out 2 strips of fabric, each 4cm/1.6 inches wide and as long as the top from the armhole to the hem, which for me was 36cm/14.2 inches. These strips of fabric will be the channels for the ruching ties.
Step 5
This step is optional so only complete if you want to sew the ruching side ties. Cut out 4 strips of fabric, each 3cm/1.2 inches wide, and just a bit longer than the side of the top, mine were about 40cm/15.8 inches long. These will be the ties to keep the ruching secured.
How to Sew the Simple Turtleneck Top
Make sure your stretch sewing machine needle is in your machine before you begin.
Step 1
Sew the shoulder seams right sides together with 1cm/0.4 inch seam allowance. Then press with your iron so that the seams are open.
Step 2
Sew the sleeve to the armhole right sides together with 1cm/0.4 inch seam allowance. If your sleeve is too wide for the armhole just trim off the excess as shown in the image below. Repeat for the other sleeve.
Step 3
Now sew the sleeve and the side seam right sides together with 1cm/0.4 inch seam allowance. Make sure to align the armpit seams using pins before you sew. Repeat for the other side as well.
Step 4
Press the side seams of the top so they lay open, and then fold and press the hem of the top up 2cm/0.8 inches. Remember to also press the hems for the sleeves. Sew the hems with a zig zag stitch.
Step 5
Now, using a regular straight stitch, sew the turtleneck into a tube along the length right sides together with 1cm/0.4 inch seam allowance. Press the seam open before folding it in half so that the seam is hidden.
Step 6
Now sew the turtleneck tube to the neckline right sides together with 1cm/0.4 inch seam allowance. Make sure that the turtleneck tube seam is on the back neckline (this neckline is slightly higher than the front one) so that it will be hidden when you wear it and also so you can see where the back of your top is.
How to Sew the Ruching Side Ties
Step 1
Take each of the channel strips, then fold and iron down a hem of 0.5cm/0.2 inches along each of the longest sides. Also fold and press a 2cm/0.8 inch hem on 1 end.
Step 2
Then pin the channels to the inside of your top along the side seams. Make sure that the side seam is aligned with the middle of each ruching channel. Sew as close to the edges as you can to attach the channels to the top. Remember to also sew in the seam to divide the channel into 2 along the middle.
Step 3
Sew the ruching ties right sides together with 0.5cm/0.2 inch seam allowance along the length. Repeat for all the other ties. Then use a safety pin to turn them out and then iron/press so they lay flat.
Step 4
Now take one of the ruching ties and use a safety pin to pull it through the ruching channel until it reaches the armpit of the top. Then pin it to secure it. Repeat until all of the ruching ties are inserted and then sew to secure them to the top of the ruching channel by the armpit.
Now you can just use the ties to gather the top and then make ribbons to secure the ruching and your turtleneck top is complete!
More Free Fairycore Sewing Tutorials
I have a free sewing tutorial for a simple slip dress with adjustable tie straps, made with the same fabric as my simple half circle skirt with pockets. I plan to wear this slip dress under the skirt to create another fairycore outfit.
If you are looking for another fairycore skirt here is my tiered maxi skirt pattern that also has an elastic waistband and pockets. So far I have one tutorial for a more formal fairycore dress which is the red satin slip dress with organza ruffles (and pockets of course!). And for a more casual fairycore dress here is a maxi dress with a ruffle at the bottom and the adjustable dress with a tie front.
And if skirts or dresses are too feminine for you, there’s always the free patterns for patchwork pants, simple shorts, or the summery trousers with ribbon side ties! All of those tutorials include elastic waistbands and pockets.
There is also the tutorial for flower cut-outs which are an easy way to upcycle an existing garment into something more whimsically fairycore.
If you’re looking for quick & easy fairycore sewing project that you can gift or even sell look no further than the fairycore scrunchies.
DIY not AI
If you are sick and tired of being bamboozled by those too perfect AI images and want some inspiration from actual human beings, my Pinterest board, DIY NOT AI, awaits. This is the link, AKA magical portal, that will take you there. DIY NOT AI is also a group board that is OPEN TO CONTRIBUTORS!!! Whether you’re a crocheter, seamstress, knitter, or any other kind of DIY/handicraft creator this is The Place for you to promote your work to people who appreciate REAL quality over quantity. So what are you waiting for? Shoot me a dm on Pinterest to be added!
If you have any more ideas for sewing patterns you would like to see from me just let me know in the comments below!
Lots of love & light,
Maria