Hello, I am Cyndi from bdancewear.com. In this demonstration, I am going to show you how to create a crop top out of an existing full size top. So, if you are looking for a top for dance that is a little longer than normal why not use a longer version of the top you want and just cut it down. That way you can make the crop top fit perfectly.
Supplies:
- Full Length Top
- One Inch Wide Elastic
- Matching Thread
- Pins
- Tailor’s Chalk, Bar of Soap or other sewing marker
- Measuring Tape
- Yard Stick
- Scissors
- Sewing Machine
Directions:
- Choosing Your Materials
In this project, the only item you need to choose is the top that you will cut down to create the Crop Top.
- Marking the Cutting Line
I have already measured the dancer from the top of the shoulder down to where I want the hem of the top to rest. Remember, you want to make sure that the bottom of the top does not slide up so high that it reveals the bottom of the girl’s bust line when the dancer reaches up,. In this particular case, I came up with 13 inches when I measured her. I then marked the shirt 13 inches from the shoulder seam. One thing to consider is that you need to start that measurement at the same spot on the girl and on the item of clothing. In other words, if you start the measurement on the girl from a spot on her shoulder that is near the neck, you need to measure the shirt from that spot on the seam near her neck. If you start measuring closer to the arm, you need to start from that spot on the shirt also. The measurements will be different if you start the measurements from different spots on the dancer and the shirt. That can cause the shirt to be longer or shorter than the desired length. Using a washable marker like Tailor’s Chalk or a Bar of Soap, mark a dot at the desired spot on the shoulders of the shirt. Measure 13 inches down the shirt on the right side of the neck and the left side of the neck and place a mark on each side. Draw a line through those dots parallel to the hem of the shirt. Because I am using one inch elastic, I am marking a second line one inch below the first. Or, you could simply do the math and mark the cutting line accordingly. In the case of our demonstration, I would mark the dots 14 inches (13 inches plus 1 inch) from the shoulder and draw a line through the dots.
I am using a Sharpie to mark the blouse so that it is easier for you to see it. I strongly recommend that you do not use a Sharpie but use Tailor’s chalk, a bar of soap or other non-permanent marker to mark the blouse. Using a Sharpie or other permanent marker creates the risk that the marking will show through the material.
- Cutting the Shirt
I am now going to take the shirt and fold it in half lengthwise making sure that the marked lines match up at the sides and the middle of the shirt. Cut the shirt at this line that I have marked.
Now that it is cut, it is really easy to complete the project. Turn the shirt inside out. If the shirt is really baggy at the waistline, you should take in the side seams by tapering the sides in so that the shirt fits closer to the girl’s body. Unless you want a loose baggy look, this will be necessary.
- Measuring the Elastic
I have already determined the length of and cut the elastic. There are two ways to do this. You can either use a measuring tape to measure around her torso under her bust or simply wrap the elastic around her torso, overlapping the ends and cut the elastic accordingly. Then, deduct about two to two and a half inches so the elastic is snug but not too tight and cut the elastic accordingly. When you sew, the elastic will stretch out a smidge.
- Preparing the Elastic
I know that the shirt is now nicely tapered in to fit under the girl’s bust. Overlap the edges of the elastic and zigzag over the two ends so that the elastic creates a continuous loop. Make sure that you sew a zigzag stitch back and forth to ensure that the seam is nice and secure.
- Pinning the Elastic
I am next going to add the elastic at the hem to make sure that the crop top stays down while being worn and does not slide up and show the girl’s bra. Take the top and match up the side seams. Place a pin in each of the two folded edges created when you match the side seams. These pins will end up marking the center of the front of the shirt and the center of the back of the shirt. Between the pins in the center back, center front and the two side seams, this will split the shirt into fourths.
Now, I am going to open up the shirt and match the seam in the elastic (where the two ends are sewn together) to the pin at the center back of the shirt. Pin the elastic to the shirt at that point. Fold the elastic in half using the seam as one end. The fold opposite that seam in the elastic will be pinned to the center front of the shirt. Again, fold the elastic in half by matching the seam in the elastic that is pinned to the center back of the shirt. to the fold that is pinned to the center front of the shirt. This will cause two more folds in the elastic, both of which are half way between the center front and center back of the shirt. Those folds should be pinned to the side seams in the shirt. The shirt and the elastic are now pinned together in four spots equally distant from each other. Once these are pinned in these four places, you can easily sew the elastic to the shirt. You can either just stretch the elastic as you go or you could place additional pins to hold the elastic to the shirt.
- Sewing Elastic to Shirt
So, I am going to start sewing again in the center back. I am going to use the guide line on the base of the sewing machine as a guide. Most sewing machines have measurements etched into the base of the machine. If your machine does not have these measurements to guide your sewing, you can easily create your own. Just measure from the point the needle would enter the material to the inside of the machine and when it reaches the distance you want to use for your seam allowance, place a piece of tape parallel to where the material will feed through the machine. Most of the time the seam will be 5/8” wide, so you will want to place the tape 5/8” from the needle.
Fold the bottom of the shirt up so that bottom of the shirt folds over the elastic on the inside of the shirt. The elastic will end up inside the fold between the shirt and the bottom of the shirt. Insert the needle into the shirt where you want to begin so that the needle is going through the shirt and the elastic. I suggest you start stitching at the center back of the shirt. Again, keep the shirt stretched out as you sew so that the elastic is stretched. Something you will want to watch for is the fabric on the outside of the shirt. It is important to make sure that the fabric at the bottom and outside of the top remains smooth as you sew. Otherwise, the fabric will most likely end up all bunched up under the stitches. Keep stitching all the way around the shirt until you get to the beginning stitches. Once again, you will want to pull the fabric and elastic taut but you want to be careful that you use both hands, one in back of the needle and one in back, and do not put pressure on the needle in the fabric or you will snap the needle.
If the fabric starts to bunch up, just slide you hand over the fabric to keep it smooth. Sometimes the thread will break. It is no big deal. Just rethread the needle and begin sewing again. When you start stitching again, make sure to go back a few stitches before the thread broke and sew over those last stitches. This works the same as it does when you backstitch before and after the stitches. Sometimes if the thread is breaking, maybe you are going too fast or something is rubbing funny. Do not get frustrated. Just rethread, pull it the top and elastic taut and continue sewing. Maybe you are going a little too fast and creating just a little too much friction.
There we go – a simple crop top you can easily create out of a regular length top.
NOTE: When you get to the end, be sure to backstitch to catch the end stitches.
If you enjoyed this demonstration, make sure to look at our other demonstration or the Bdancewear videos on YouTube. You can subscribe to our channel so that you do not miss any of the amazing videos that we will have coming out. If you want to get our free complete dance costume DIY guide, go to bdancewear.com/DIY guide. Lastly if you have any questions or ideas for future videos or demonstrations, please contact us through our YouTube channel or on our website – bdancewear.com
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