In today’s post, I have another sewing project to share with you. This DIY cropped tie front top is a great summer make, and the best thing is the sewing pattern is absolutely free!

Summer is upon us, and at the moment the UK is at a start of a bit of a mini heatwave, so this me-made wardrobe item is perfect for that. A DIY cropped tie top, that you can style with jeans, skirts or even use over swimwear when visiting the beach.

DIY Cropped Tie Front Top – Free Pattern

The best thing about this cropped tie top, aka the Elliot top, is that it is a free sewing pattern by Cool Stitches. The Elliot top consists of a deep V neckline, cropped waist, tie fronts and puff gathered sleeves. Think risqué cottagecore. The pattern comes in a few sizes and is a pdf download, which means you can print it straight away to get sewing. You can offer a donation for it of whatever price of your choosing, meaning you can pop £0.00 into the amount box if you wish.

Now, I found the top a little daring with the deep V neckline, and therefore I popped in a hook and eye as well as the ties. I also added a little bit of length with an extra ruffle/peplum as the copped part came up a bit too cropped on me. I think these additions add something extra to the top and it turned out great.

So, if you would like to see how to make a DIY cropped tie front top, using the Elliot top pattern by Cool Stitches, then… Let’s Get Sewing!

DIY Tie Front Top – What you need:

You can make this top in a variety of fabrics, but as you may have seen in my other sewing makes, like the wrap skirt, and tea dress, I love to sew with viscose. This make is no different, with this beautiful turquoise blue gingham print viscose from Minerva fabrics (the link is a similar fabric, as I can’t find the one I bought). I love the print on this and the colour. It really does have the summer picnic, vibes don’t you think? The fabric was £2.99 per metre and I bought 3 metres. The top calls for less than this, so you may see this fabric make another appearance with all I have left.

Always remember to wash, dry and iron your fabric before starting your project. This will account for any shrinkage that may occur, especially if using viscose before the item is made.

So, to make the cropped tie top, you will need the following items. Some items on this list are affiliate links, which will be marked with an asterisk (*).

• Fabric of choice and matching thread
• Elliot top by Cool Stitches
• Sewing machine*
• Rotary cutter* or Sewing scissors*
• Sewing pins*
• 10mm wide elastic*
• Safety pins
• Hook and Eye closure*
• Fabric marker* / tailor’s chalk
• Measuring tape

Step 1 – Cut out Pattern

Start by preparing the fabric. Pin the pattern onto the fabric as indicated, then cut these out with scissors or a rotary cutter.
Next, the pattern calls for long strips of fabric to make the ties and channels for the ties. This has to be marked out using the measuring tape, rather than a pattern piece as they are quite long strips required.

You should have two front bodice pieces, one back bodice piece, two sleeves and strips of fabric for the channels and ties. Then, overlock/zig-zag stitch the raw edges of the bodice pieces to reduce fraying.

Step 2 – Connect Bodice Pieces

The first thing to sew is the darts on the front bodice pieces. Mark where indicated on the pattern pieces and then sew the darts into place. I find it helpful to pin the darts so that I can follow the line of the dart.

Place the front bodice pieces onto the back bodice piece, right sides together. Pin at the shoulders and head to the sewing machine. Sew together at the shoulder seams.

Step 3 – Sew the Sleeves

The first thing to do with the sleeves is to sew gathering stitches along the top edge. This will help gather the sleeves in where they are connected to the top, giving it a puffed sleeve look. To sew these, turn the stitch size to the largest possible on the machine and sew two even rows of stitching where indicated on the pattern. Ensure a long tail is left on either side. Using the top two threads, gently pull to gather to the desired length.

Then lay the bodice of the top flat, and pin the sleeve to the armhole part of the bodice, right sides touching. This will be sewn in a raglan style and is an easy way of adding in sleeves. I used this method to make my DIY hoodie and Pyjamas. Head to the sewing machines and stitch the two together.

The sleeve will now be attached, with the underneath still unsewn, as well as the side seams.

Step 4 – Sew Side Seams

Now is the time to sew the side seams, following this seam up into the sleeves where they are open. Remember to backstitch at the start and end of each of these seams.

Then, it is time to finish the neckline, by rolling the edge once and then once again, approx. 0.5cm each time. Press into place to help keep the shape, and use pins if needed. Then sew a stitch along the edge of the fold to complete the rolled neckline.

Step 5 – Create the Channels

The top is coming together, however now, we need to create the channels for the ties. For this, the strips of fabric are folded like bias binding and attached to the bodice of the top. I used a bias binding maker, however, you can easily fold without this. Start by folding one edge of the strip towards the centre of the strip, repeating on the other side. The bias binding maker does this movement for you whilst you are pressing with an iron.

The strips will be much longer than the bodice of the top.

Then, it is time to mark out where you want the ties to sit on the top. To do this place the top on, and begin pinning the strips around where you like. Then, mark with a fabric marker or tailors chalk where the channel will sit. Repeat this for the second channel.
At this point, I realised that the copped top was too cropped, and the bottom tie sat more or less on the bottom edge of the top. I added an extra strip of material after attaching the channel. Cut the channels at each end of the bodice, leaving approx. 2cms over. Fold the ends inside so that the raw edges are enclosed inside the channel, but so there is still space for the tie to pass through.  Sew the channels in place, sewing on each outside edge to the bodice of the top.

Step 6 – Create the Ties

Next, it is time to sew the ties. Take the designated strips and fold them in half lengthways, right sides together. Sew a seam to join together into a tube. Then, it is time to place a safety pin at the end of the tie and thread this through the inside to turn it right side out.

Finish off the tie by folding the end inwards once and folded again. Secure in place with stitching. You may find this bulky on the machine, so hand-winding the sewing machine may help with sewing this.
Using a safety pin again at the end of the complete tie, thread this through the channel until you have equal amounts on either side. Make sure that the ties don’t twist inside the channel when threading through.

Step 7 – Finish Sleeves

The sleeves of this top are elasticated to help give a puffy shape to them. Complete a small rolled hem on the open edge of the sleeves. Then, fold this again, making it wide enough for thin elastic to fit through. This will create a channel for the elastic. Pin in place and sew, leaving a small opening to add in the elastic.

Measure the amount of elastic you need by wrapping this around your arm until two ends meet. You want it to be snug, but not too tight to make the puffy sleeve. Remember you are going to be wearing this so you want the elastic to be comfortably tight around your arms.

Place a safety pin through one end of the elastic and begin threading it through the channels. Once it has come back around and out of the gap, sew the two ends of elastic together. Place the elastic inside the channel/casing and then close up the opening. The sleeves should now be complete.

Step 8 – Add on Extras

If the top is fitting well, then at this point the top is nearly complete and you can hem the bottom edge with a rolled hem. However, I added an extra strip of fabric to add length and a slight ruffle/peplum to the top.

Lay the top out and measure from one side to the other. This should give you a rough measurement of how long the strip of fabric needs to be. Add on a few more centimetres to each end. Then sew two rows of gathering stitches to give the added piece a bit more of a ruffle. Then place the strip and bottom of the bodice right sides together, pinning in place. Gather the peplum piece to fit the bodice. Then, head to the sewing machine to sew together.

Finally, finish any seams with a zig-zag stitch or overlock, and hem the bottom of the peplum with a rolled hem. Try the ties, and if required add on a hook and eye closure above the top tie.

Then the DIY cropped tie front top is complete and ready to wear!

What do you think of this DIY cropped tie front top? Will you be having a go at making your own, and would you make any adjustments? Let me know in the comments below!

DIY Cropped Tie Front Top – Video

Here is the video version of this post and the making of the cropped tie top. Don’t forget to give the video a like if you have enjoyed it, and subscribe to my channel to keep up with all my creative antics over on Youtube!

DIY Cropped tie Front Top – Save it!

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