She Upcycles an Old Sweater Into What?! Wow!!

Today’s DIY crop top tutorial is designed for beginners who want to complete a small upcycled sweater project and learn some pattern drafting and cutting techniques.

Measure yourself above and below your bust and at the widest bust point, and substitute your measurements for the ones I give.

If you don’t have a serger, you can use a zigzag or overlock stitch on your machine to finish the edges.

1. Measure and draft the pattern

I folded the leftover sweater in half lengthways so the width measured a quarter of my above bust measurement or 7.5 inches (19 cm)

Measure and mark the length you want for your top across the width of your fabric. Mine is 9.6 inches (24 cm).

Measure 4.5 inches (11 cm) up from the lower edge for the bust point.

The top edge measures 6.5 inches (16 cm) for a quarter of the width below the bust and the width at the bust point is 7 inches (18 cm).

Substitute your measurements for mine and join the side edge marks with a slightly curved line.

Cut out the basic top shape.

Separate the two pieces.

Fold the back panel in half lengthways and mark 3/4” (2 cm) up from the widest edge on the fold.

Draw a tapered line from that point to the side edge and cut it out.

2. Sew the side seams

Place the back and front together with the right sides facing.

Pin and sew the side seams.

Serge or overlock the raw edges of the seam allowances and the upper and lower edges of the top.

3. Make the straps

From the remaining fabric, cut two strips each 1.8 inches (4.5 cm) wide and at least 14 inches (35 cm) long.

Fold the strips in half lengthways with the right side inside and pin and sew the long edges together.

Use a paperclip or safety pin to turn them right side out.

4. Elasticated hems

Cut two pieces of elastic to fit your above bust and under bust measurements. In my case, these are 31 inches (77 cm) and 27 inches (68 cm).

Join the ends to make two loops of elastic.

Find the center of each loop. Pin the seam to one side seam and the center to the other side seam of each edge, on the right side.

Distribute the elastic evenly around the edges and pin it.

Sew in place along the top edge of the elastic, stretching the elastic to fit as you sew.

Turn the hem to the inside and stitch down the bottom edge of the elastic.

5. Attach the straps

Refold the top so the side seams are in the center.

Measure and mark 4 inches (10 cm) in from each side on the widest edge.

Trim the straps if necessary to 14 inches (35 cm).

Refold the top with the sides seams on the outside edge.

Pin the straps inside the top edge at the marks.

Sew securely in place.

6. Optional embellishments

I used beads for this, but you could use ready made applique or embroidered pieces.

I also glued each bead in place, but you could sew them by hand if you prefer.