I've just taken up Yoga and wanted to sew some simple exercise wear, and in so doing not only did I create a great fitted top for wearing to the gym, but also a great top to wear every day. Make it a size smaller for a fitted finish for exercise wear, as the red version above, or make the next size up for a looser fit for wearing to work – see the print version below. Looks great under a jacket.
Please enjoy this free gathered front top pattern.
Easy to sew sleeveless top with princess seams front and back and a gathered front bodice on one side. Front panel is reversible so you can choose to have the gathers on either side, or make one of each! Sewn using an easy turn and sew method, suitable for beginners. For stretch knit fabrics only.
Features:
- Princess seams front and back
- Range of sizes
- Shaped to be flattering and look slimming
- Gathering on one side
- Make it fitted for exercise wear or a little looser for everyday wear – depending on how you like it!
Skill level:
Beginner. The instructions for this top assume that you already have basic experience in sewing with stretch fabrics and making basic fitting adjustments necessary in any pattern to achieve a good personal fit.
If you want to learn more about tips and techniques for sewing with Knit Fabrics, please read this article we published on sewing with stretchy knits.
Useful tutorials. You can find a range of useful sewing tutorials and videos at So Sew Easy – tutorials page.
How To Download
We will continue using the new Payhip web store to distribute our patterns.
Our patterns are still free, but now you have the option of making a small contribution if you like our work! We'd appreciate it, and it will help us keep going with new and fun designs like this. Even a dollar or two goes a long way.
Thanks so much in advance for helping us out. You can use any credit card, and you don't need a Paypal account, although you can use one if you have one.
Can I see some more pics before I decide?
Of course you can. Here are some other views. This plain version tends to show off the shaping and gathers better than the print version.
Choosing your fabrics
Only suitable for stretch knit fabrics. Not really suitable for stripes, but plain colors, large or small prints all look great. Pick a light weight fabric with a soft drape for the best results. Heavy weight fabrics won't gather as well.
What Size Do I Need?
Please use this table as a guide only as although our body measurements may be similar, different body shapes may require fitting differently. Fabrics with different thickness, drape and stretch will also effect the finished result and fit on this top.
Bust measurements:
- Size 1 – 34 inches
- Size 2 – 36 inches
- Size 3 – 38 inches
- Size 4 – 40 inches
- Size 5 – 42 inches
You can measure the paper pattern pieces to determine fit – want it closer fitting, pick a pattern size closest to your bust measurement. For a looser fit, pick the pattern size including a little more ease.
The pattern is fairly simple, so you should be able to upgrade to a larger size if you need to. Always test the fit using the paper pattern pieces, or an inexpensive test fabric before cutting your expensive fabric for this top. If in doubt test the larger size and adjust for fitting at the side and princess seams during construction.
Gathered Front Top Sewing Instructions
Seam allowances – 5/8th of an inch (1.5cm) throughout unless mentioned.
Abbreviations used: RST – right sides together.
This sewing tutorial is also available in video format.
You can watch at YouTube –click this video picture to be taken to the tutorial. Once the video starts, you can get a clearer picture by clicking on the little ‘gear’ icon to select a higher video quality.
Subscribe to the YouTube channel:
Let’s start to sew ! (Full step by step instructions included in the pattern download)
- Print and assemble your pattern. Check the size of the test square. Cut out your pattern pieces.
- Pre-wash and iron your fabric according to fabric care instructions.
- Use your pattern pieces to cut your fabric. Remember to cut the center back piece on the fold.
- Transfer marking for the gathering area to your front fabric piece and run a long set of basting/gathering stitches between the marks, ¼ inch from the edge.
- Pin front side panel to gathering side, pinning from top to gathering stitches and from the bottom to the gathering stitches.
- Pull up gathering stitches until this area matches the length of the front side panel. Pin gathers in place. Stitch entire seam.
- Pin and stitch in other front side panel.
- With RST, pin then stitch the two back side panels to the center back.
- With RST, pin then stitch ONE shoulder seam. (Optional- If you are using a very stretchy knit, you may wish to stabilize shoulders seams with some clear elastic or a stay tape.) If you are a confident sewist, you may stitch the other shoulder and side seams and finish the neck and armholes in the round, then finish the bottom hemline.
- For the neck and armhole edge, turn in 5/8th inch or 1.5cm to the wrong side and stitch neatly and evenly from the folded edge.
- Pin then stitch the other shoulder seam.
- Turn in and stitch the remaining armhole edge.
- RST, pin and stitch side seams.
- Try on and check for fit. Make any fitting adjustments necessary.
- Trim, neaten and finish all of your seams. Press.
- Check the length. Mark where you want your hemline to come, turn up, pin and stitch. You may use a twin needle finish on the bottom hemline, or sew with a ½ inch (1.5cm) turn up and a narrow zig-zag stitch. Neaten the seam, trim off any excess fabric and press.
- Wear your finished top, love it and make another!
Sew the Gathered Front Top. Easy to sew and flattering too. Full video tutorial to show you exactly how to sew, as well as step by step instructions.
Flattering, comfortable, easy to sew - perfect!
This is beautiful
I really like the pattern but I think I want the gathering to be even on both sides. How would I adjust to do that? Thank you
At least you look good and shapely in your designs ??!!!!
I have downloaded this pattern, but it is on one A4 sheet which is no good, should i be able to print it off full size
You can still used it if you print on Actual Size, you will have to cut some of the paper off.
Hi Myra, No selecting print on “Actual Size” in Acrobat reader, still did not work for me, I still got 1 page, with showed part of the front t-shirt. that is you will not get multiple pages. The only altenative seems to be, is to draft your own pattern from the 1 page, using the test square.
It is possible the link is broken, sadly since this is hosted on Bluprint I can not change it. I am going to have to republish this pattern with a new link.
Is there a new link? I am having the same problem, 1 page only
I just downloaded the PDF for the pattern and printed it (from Craftsy site). I had a lot of issues trying to get this download to open properly (Craftsy changes??). When I finally got it to print properly, there were no numbers on the pages to put the pattern together like I have had when I have printed your patterns in the past
bonjour comment se fait il que je ne peut pas imprimer le model au dimentions voulu
J’ai vérifié le lien et cela fonctionne bien. Je me demande si vous avez un bloqueur de page sur votre ordinateur…
Have just made this, in a rush in time for a holiday in Spain where the weather would make it worth wearing not like here in the UK. It came out beautifully – thank you Deby I am so pleased with this.
And I’m so happy too. Love to hear when something turns out well. Do enjoy your holiday.
[…] This easy to sew knit fabric sleeveless top is comfortable, and versatile. It’s a great fitted top to wear at the gym, but is also a great top to wear everyday. Make it a size smaller for a filled finish for exercise wear, or go a size up for a looser fit that would be perfect for everyday wear. It also would work great under a cardi or jacket. The top gives you princess seems front and back and has a gathered front bodice on one side (always a flattering touch). This free pattern will guide you every step with directions, and video and youtube clips and is suitable for beginners. You can find this great pattern at sew-so-easy […]
I love this! I have downloaded the pattern, though I think I will have to wait a few months for the weather to get warmer before trying it out! thanks, Deby! 🙂 Lisa
love it Deby, it looks fantastic on you as well! Thanks for linking up to Create Link Inspire, you are featured today. I’ve spread the word all over social media, I would love for you to do the same ;o) Check out all the great sewing tutorial features… Emily
‘Hopping over from your “Threading My Way” feature. What a GREAT pattern! Thanks! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
The princess seams and gathers make a very pretty top, Deby. I like it in both fabrics but I really, really like the one in the print fabric… not totally sure why I prefer it, but possibly the subtlety of the gathers.
I’ve featured your top today, Deby.
Thank you so much Pam – you are a star!
Very cute and it looks great on you! Thanks for stopping by Wonderful Wednesday blog hop. I pinned you post!
Blessings,
Diane Roark
What a beautiful top, they both look great on you. I love making clothes as well as altering old items, but tend to stick to basic shapes when I’m making my own stuff up. I love the shaping and extra details you have added here, Thanks so much for the pattern.
Glad you like it Julie, thanks for taking the time to let me know.
Hello Lovely, curious; w/ the gathers on the patterned top, are the gathers seemingly at a slant due to the pattern, looser size or did you do this on purpose? Maybe it is just me but I LOVE the way the gathers created make the creases seem to be slanted up, versus straight across the top. BUT, I do love both tops! Thanks in advance, Chelle
It’s all just to do with the sizing Chelle. In the red one, the tighter fit, the fabric is more stretched taught across the bust so the gathers run in the same way as the stretch, more straight across. In the larger size, because the fabric is more loose and drapes across the front, the gather lines follow the loose drapes of the fabric and are softer and more curved. Glad you like it, Deb
This top is very nice but it’s not for me,I still need to lose about 30 pounds to get into something like that but thx.
Looks amazing think I might have a go!
I also love princess seams and love the printed top. I will have to try to make one for myself. I usually wear an 18/20 top. Trying to lose some weight but for now, how much do you think I should increase each seam?
Hi Brenda and thanks for following along. You would need to compare your bust measurement with that given for the largest size on the pattern, and find the difference. There are 6 pieces for the top, 3 on the front and 3 on the back so that makes 6 seams. Divide how much you want to add by 6 and add that to each of the seams. You might also want to add just a little bit more so that it gives you some wiggle room in the seam allowances if you want to take it in or loosen it a little for your own particular shape. I hope this helps, Deby
Just discovered your blog and signed up to follow…nice to meet you! I am looking forward to sewing my first top as soon as I replace my sewing machine with one that actually works!
Very nice top, I really like your free patterns 🙂
I think it looks better using solid color fabrics.
Glad you like the pattern Mimzi. I really make patterns that I like myself and I assume if I like them, then there will be people out there like me who will want to try them too. Certainly you can see the gathered detail in this pattern in the plain fabrics more than in the patterned. It just adds that extra little bit of detail…
Cute top, Deby! I always like things that have princess seams. These look great on you!
Thank you very much Kimberlee. As a new sewer, I was always a bit intimidated by princess seams and the pinning two opposite curved seams together, but I’ve come to realise that they give great fitting options by having extra seams to work with. Thanks for following along.
What a great pattern. I LOVE gathers. It looks great on you too. Thank you for sharing and for such a great blog.
And thank you for following along Nellie and taking the time to leave a comment. I love the gathers too!
Hi Deby, I saw this at Tatertots and Jello link party. What a great top. I really love the finished product, it looks great. Thanks so much for the free pattern, I can’t wait to try it out 🙂
You are very welcome Meg. I hope you enjoy sewing it.
This top is really quite fantastic! Thank you so much for sharing. I love the princess seams, the shirring and it can be great to sew up for everyday wear AND activewear!! Love!!
I hope I’ll see you running about in one soon Kathy – love all the active wear you sew on your site. I’m just getting into Yoga so its nice to be able to wear leggings and tops I made myself.