Blue Gathered-neck top

Here is my latest knit top creation, using Spring Tees from Sawyer Brook. This dark turquoise color is now sold out, though.


I started by stitching together a raglan-seamed tee and then traced the front and back necklines on plain paper.

 I measured the length and depth of the front and back necklines to make the gathered pieces.  I multiplied each measurement by 1.5 to add the extra fabric for gathering. 

 With those 1.5x measurements, I created the inner curves for each piece and then made the curved strips for gathering 4 inches wide.

 I measured a 5" depth all the way around my neckline and marked it with wash-away marker. 

 I joined the front and back overlay pieces to make a big oval.  Then, I gathered both edges loosely.  I pinned and stitched the longer side, right sides together, right on top of my marker line.

 Then, I flipped the overlay up and trimmed the top edge even with the neckline.

 Finally, I cut a strip of fabric about 4 inches wide and doubled it lengthwise to make a sort of binding.  I pinned it around the neckline, raw edges togther, stretching the binding a bit - making 2 layers from the doubled binding, 1 layer from the overly, and 1 layer from the tee shirt's neckline.

Finally, I turned the binding all the way to the inside and invisibly hand-sewed it to the inside. 

The only thing I would do differently next time is use a light interfacing on the neck edge that is covered by the overlay.  It is fine and stays put as is, but it would be crisper with some light knit interfacing.  I'm very happy with how this turned out, and it will look great under my almost-finished jacket.