You're THE BEST! Thanks so much for this tutorial. I have a LOT of patterns with high necklines that are not flaterring to me and now I'll be able to hack them to a V-neck.
Thanks for this. My new mantra for 2023 is have faith in my abilities. I have a dress pattern that I enjoyed the fit of the body but not the neck line at all. I did so up a Wearable sample about a year ago. Which was a good thing cause I really didn't like the neckline. I wanted to make the adjust the neckline, I like the rest of the dress. I am going to pull it out and go for it!
Thanks for taking the fear out of the unknown. I often want to make changes but usually chicken out. Now you’ve given me the confidence to give it a go. I have so many plans now!
You can also slide & pivot to raise/lower the neckline. That curve shape you drew for the v-neck is so flattering on the body and it eliminates the problems of drawing a straight line for a v-neck. If you don’t remove about 1/8-1/4” on a straight line v, it will gape - ask me how I know. I guess…….removing the gape turns it into a curved line. Ha, just realized that.
Hello Whitney, you make it look so easy. I have been doing my v-neck lines wrong. I have been going down straight instead of a soft v-neckline. Thank you I am going to try re-drawing them. Enjoyed the video. Have a great day.
Such great learning, thank you! Two questions. What tracing paper do you use and where do you get it? And how do you measure to know where the modified neck line will land on the finished garment?
I use medical exam paper for my tracing paper (like what you sit on at a Dr's office) and I get it off of Amazon for a great price. As far as measuring, I'm going off of past knowledge and where I know I like my necklines to hit. However, if you have a pattern that has a neckline you love, you can always use those measurements!
so funny t o see you doing a square neckline, last night had the idea to do a square neckline on a laundry day tee dress in a beautiful knit fabric I just got in and even made the facing .glad to see I did both right, facing and neckline but being it was a knit did binding on the back
Strangely enough, I was laying out the Honeybourne this morning (On a quilting cotton covered with coffee cups and paraphernalia) and was trying to decide on neckline...Honestly, this video made me decide to go with the scoop neck this time. A vee neck I like (which I seldom see) I found in an old sewing guide they called a decollete vee...heads down slightly like a scoop/sweetheart and then curves in down to the point of the vee . One thing I do is if I am forced to trace the pattern piece that was designed to be cut on the fold, I always fold my tracing paper in half so I will have a piece that can be laid out on the fold OR used as a full front (or back) handy to have if you know you are short on fabric and will need to play pattern tetris and use a single layer layout
My copy of Ahead of the Curve will arrive soon. I thought these patterns would help me determine sizes and adjustments I need in Cashmerette patterns. I’m hoping the Ames Jeans and Vernon Shirt are in my near future. How difficult would it be to add a button front to the Honeybourne dress to make a shirt instead? I really appreciate your channel!
I don't think adding a button placket to the Honeybourne would be hard. You would just need to not cut it on the fold and add the width of the placket x 2 for the fold over and seam allowances and you would be good!
Could you just skip the facing and just sew the whole bodice to the lining sort of burrito-style and turn it right side out? Or do you need the facing to stabilize the neck? And would there be no place to add interfacing? Thanks!
You can definitely skip the facing. I lined the bodice and just lined it to the edge (burrito style). I put a line of interfacing along the seam line of the lining piece to stabilize the neck edge.
How do you recommend taking in back necklines? I always find that back bodice pieces, especially with back zippers, gape by several inches at the top of my back because of my scoliosis. I would prefer not to add darts, so the only other way I can think of is to grade the center back seam to a smaller size at the top, but then the full back seam is no longer a straight seam which seems inappropriate for a back zipper.
I think you might need a high round back adjustment. I have a tutorial here: ua-cam.com/video/w9g9P0_aDjY/v-deo.html . I think this will solve the back gaping problem!
One question: did you say you use PDF Plotting to print your patterns? I’m so over printing and taping! I need to explore more options. I have a projector to try the ceiling thing, but my husband and I just can’t seem to figure it out despite all the online help and facebook groups 😅🙁This video is very helpful! I agree, I tend to think square necklines are a summer thing too.
You would draw in the facings, like this video, and then add seam allowance to the bottom of the facing. Then you would trace off the rest of the bodice excluding the facing piece and add seam allowance to the top of that. Does that make sense? I could show that in a future video, if not.
You're THE BEST! Thanks so much for this tutorial. I have a LOT of patterns with high necklines that are not flaterring to me and now I'll be able to hack them to a V-neck.
Oh good! I'm so glad this was helpful!
Learning how is easy with Whitney's instructions so thank you, Whitney. Now I understand how to do more with my favorite fitting patterns. ~ L
I"m so glad!
Thanks for another great Cashmerette pattern hack!
My pleasure!
Very useful information. Expands the variety of results one can create from a basic pattern. Thanks, Whitney. 🤓
I'm so glad it was helpful!
Thanks for this. My new mantra for 2023 is have faith in my abilities. I have a dress pattern that I enjoyed the fit of the body but not the neck line at all. I did so up a Wearable sample about a year ago. Which was a good thing cause I really didn't like the neckline. I wanted to make the adjust the neckline, I like the rest of the dress. I am going to pull it out and go for it!
Oh good! Good luck!
Your explanations are always very clear and simple. Thanks!❤
I'm so glad you enjoy it!
I often need to raise neck lines and have struggled with it so this tutorial is VERY much appreciated! Thank you for sharing your sewing knowledge!!
Oh good! I'm so glad you found it helpful!
So very helpful.
I'm so glad!
Thanks for taking the fear out of the unknown. I often want to make changes but usually chicken out. Now you’ve given me the confidence to give it a go. I have so many plans now!
This makes me so happy!
You can also slide & pivot to raise/lower the neckline. That curve shape you drew for the v-neck is so flattering on the body and it eliminates the problems of drawing a straight line for a v-neck. If you don’t remove about 1/8-1/4” on a straight line v, it will gape - ask me how I know. I guess…….removing the gape turns it into a curved line. Ha, just realized that.
I'm so glad you enjoyed this one and found it helpful!
Great video, you make it easy to see exactly what needs to be done.
I'm so glad!
This is great to see! Your dress turned out very pretty.
Thank you so much!
Thanks for such a clear explanation!
My pleasure!
Loving these back videos!!
Oh good!
Great explanation! I will definitely try this method.
Oh good!
That was helpful, thx.
Glad it helped
Lovely dress, great tutorial xxx
Aww! Thank you!
Hello Whitney, you make it look so easy. I have been doing my v-neck lines wrong. I have been going down straight instead of a soft v-neckline. Thank you I am going to try re-drawing them. Enjoyed the video. Have a great day.
I'm so glad it was helpful!
Such great learning, thank you! Two questions. What tracing paper do you use and where do you get it? And how do you measure to know where the modified neck line will land on the finished garment?
I use medical exam paper for my tracing paper (like what you sit on at a Dr's office) and I get it off of Amazon for a great price. As far as measuring, I'm going off of past knowledge and where I know I like my necklines to hit. However, if you have a pattern that has a neckline you love, you can always use those measurements!
Great tutorial, thanks Whitney 👍
My pleasure!
so funny t o see you doing a square neckline, last night had the idea to do a square neckline on a laundry day tee dress in a beautiful knit fabric I just got in and even made the facing .glad to see I did both right, facing and neckline but being it was a knit did binding on the back
Ooh! I bet that is a lovely LDT!
Strangely enough, I was laying out the Honeybourne this morning (On a quilting cotton covered with coffee cups and paraphernalia) and was trying to decide on neckline...Honestly, this video made me decide to go with the scoop neck this time.
A vee neck I like (which I seldom see) I found in an old sewing guide they called a decollete vee...heads down slightly like a scoop/sweetheart and then curves in down to the point of the vee .
One thing I do is if I am forced to trace the pattern piece that was designed to be cut on the fold, I always fold my tracing paper in half so I will have a piece that can be laid out on the fold OR used as a full front (or back)
handy to have if you know you are short on fabric and will need to play pattern tetris and use a single layer layout
That is a great idea when tracing pattern pieces on the fold!
Great tip. Also, "pattern Tetris". Haha 😂
My copy of Ahead of the Curve will arrive soon. I thought these patterns would help me determine sizes and adjustments I need in Cashmerette patterns. I’m hoping the Ames Jeans and Vernon Shirt are in my near future. How difficult would it be to add a button front to the Honeybourne dress to make a shirt instead? I really appreciate your channel!
I don't think adding a button placket to the Honeybourne would be hard. You would just need to not cut it on the fold and add the width of the placket x 2 for the fold over and seam allowances and you would be good!
Could you just skip the facing and just sew the whole bodice to the lining sort of burrito-style and turn it right side out? Or do you need the facing to stabilize the neck? And would there be no place to add interfacing? Thanks!
You can definitely skip the facing. I lined the bodice and just lined it to the edge (burrito style). I put a line of interfacing along the seam line of the lining piece to stabilize the neck edge.
How do you recommend taking in back necklines? I always find that back bodice pieces, especially with back zippers, gape by several inches at the top of my back because of my scoliosis. I would prefer not to add darts, so the only other way I can think of is to grade the center back seam to a smaller size at the top, but then the full back seam is no longer a straight seam which seems inappropriate for a back zipper.
I think you might need a high round back adjustment. I have a tutorial here: ua-cam.com/video/w9g9P0_aDjY/v-deo.html . I think this will solve the back gaping problem!
One question: did you say you use PDF Plotting to print your patterns? I’m so over printing and taping! I need to explore more options. I have a projector to try the ceiling thing, but my husband and I just can’t seem to figure it out despite all the online help and facebook groups 😅🙁This video is very helpful! I agree, I tend to think square necklines are a summer thing too.
Yes, I use PDFPlotting.com to print my copy shop files. They are a great price point!
If I wanted the facings with lining how would that work? I've seen many linings with the facings.
You would draw in the facings, like this video, and then add seam allowance to the bottom of the facing. Then you would trace off the rest of the bodice excluding the facing piece and add seam allowance to the top of that. Does that make sense? I could show that in a future video, if not.
Pam O Where do you send your Pdf patterns to be printed? I have a lot to print out.
I use PDFPlotting.com . They have the best prices and they are really quick!
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