Our first summer project is going to be an easy-to-make spaghetti strap top pattern. It's a classic casual piece of clothing that's probably in every woman's wardrobe. But….
This is a big but, and one that I had a hard time understanding until I had a talk with my mom, a friend, and one of my aunts. They all had the same thing to say about this style of dressing. They all agreed that there comes a time in a woman's life when you do not want to show your arms. I wanted to ask, what happens on very warm days? Wearing long sleeves in the heat seems like torture to me.
So I thought I would come up with a few options for you ladies who don't care about showing your arms and want to look and feel comfortable in the summer heat. Here is the first project for Summer 2021. In a subsequent project, we'll explore options to add to this top for the ladies, like my aunt, who don't want to show their arms. But let's start with the basic spaghetti top pattern here.
This design features a lingerie style in keeping with the current trend. It has gathers at the bust to accommodate your girls without the need for a bra.
And elastic at the back for ease and comfort.
With crossed straps at the back for a sexy detail.
Materials
- choice of linen, cotton batiste, cotton eyelet, silk, rayon woven or knit (1 to 1/2 yards, 54″ wide)
- thread to match
- 3/8″ elastic enough for the back depending on your size
Tools
- sewing machine (optional)
- sewing machine Needle Size 70
- loop turner
Fabric Recommendations from Fabric.com
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Sewing Level: Beginner
This spaghetti strap top pattern is a perfect first project. Almost any sewer can make this in no time at all.
How To Print And Download The Spaghetti Strap Top Pattern
Please use Adobe Reader, print in Landscape Mode and do not scale.
Pattern Download
Pattern Layout
Sizes
| Size | Bust | Waist | Hips |
| S | 36-38 | 25-27 | 37-39 |
| M | 38-40 | 27-29 | 39-41 |
| L | 40-42 | 29-31 | 41-43 |
| XL | 42-44 | 31-33 | 43-45 |
| 2XL | 44-46 | 33-36 | 45-47 |
Cutting Instructions for the straps
Below are suggested measurements, please measure from your arm pit over the shoulder across the back to make sure the strap is large enough to cross your back.
| S | 26″ X 1″ |
| M | 27″ X 1″ |
| L | 28″ X 1″ |
| XL | 29″ X 1″ |
| 2XL | 30″ X 1″ |
Sewing Instructions
There is no seam allowance included in the pattern. Please add 1/2″ to 5/8″ to the project.
Although this is an easy project to make you will require the basic knowledge of sewing, or at least how to avoid some of the most common sewing mistakes.
Step One: Sewing The Upper Part
You will need to cut four pieces to make the upper part of the top.
Place print side together. Sew the upper side at 1/2″. Sew the sides.
Trim the seam allowance by half.
Turn print side out. Sew a stitching line 1/2″ along the rounded part making a channel.
Insert the spaghetti strap and stay stitch it at the bottom.
Step Two: Sewing The Lower Part
Print sides together join the back and front of the lower part of the top.
Align the sides starting at the hem. You will notice that the top side at the back will have a 1/2″ more. This will be because of the casing for the elastic.
You can finish the seam using the turn under method, zigzag or with your serger.
We will work on the back before we join the two sides together. Serge the back and turn 1/2″ then sew, making a channel for the elastics.
Use the loop turner to insert the elastic on the back
Place the back print side out and sew the sides. Print sides together pin the sides together.
Step Three: Attaching The Elastic, Strap, And Hemming
Pin the elastic on the other side.
Sew the sides, catching the elastic con both sides.
Pull the strap at the front making gathers and crisscross the strap. Sew in place leaving around 7″ distance when the elastic is stretched.
Finally serge the hem and sew at 1/2″.
There are no instructions for making the straps because I will be making a separate tutorial for them.
This spaghetti strap top pattern is part of a set, so wait for the rest of the patterns to put the look together. I have used muslin for my top to try out the pattern, but I will be shortening the length and using silk or rayon for a more fluid look.
As you can see this was quite an easy project to make. I will be looking forward to your pictures on Instagram so please share and tag! If you do not have Instagram you can send them to me via email and I will share them on our account. I am hoping to share many of your projects there and make Instagram an interesting part of our little community.
Join me next week when I will be sharing with you either a curvy friendly contemporary corset, or the linen over a blouse that goes with this top. Please let me know which one you want to see in the comments section below.
Until Next Time, Happy Sewing!
How do I find out how big the bust pieces have to be?
I haven’t downloaded the pattern yet, but I’m looking forward to it. I had a mastectomy in 2019 and currently going through reconstruction. I think once my procedure is done, I will enjoy wearing something fun like this.
Good Luck with your surgery, and yes I am hoping I get to see a picture of you wearing the top.
Would this fit a DD bra cup size?
Hi, Cheryl, I would love to help, can you send me the measurements? Either through an Instagram private message, a comment here or an email at mayra@so-sew-easy.com
If it is non stretch material, it may be 40-42″ underbust and DD cup size. If it is cotton/poly, it would be 38″ underbust and still DD cup size. Will this pattern accomodate plus sized bosoms? I run into a lot of cute tops like this not accomodating anything larger than a C/D cup size(if that :/)
No This would not accommodate a DD cup.
I need it to fit a 38DD. If it is using non stretch material, it would be 40/42 DD. I always run into this problem with cute tops liks this not fitting plus sizes.
How about for a 43 in’ under bust measurement and DD cup? I too rarely have cute tops like this. It is SO adorable! Thank you!
I dont know if anyone else has trouble putting the pattern together? It took a long time trying to match the layout with the pieces, with no guides on the pattern paper. How easy would it be to place a letter or number somewhere to match pieces. I am not even sure if I got it right. Is that how to put the pattern together, match the layout, like a puzzle?
Hi Mary Jo, it took me 16 hours straight to write the article and it was 3 am when I finished. Did not notice I forgot to place the numbers on the pattern. There is a pattern layout picture above.
Hi there, just wondering if it would be possible to make the bottom of this blouse have more of a flare rather than straight down? Would I have to cut out a larger size and then gather it to the appropriate size? Or would I need a different pattern entirely? Love the top part of it, so cute! Thanks for your help. – Kyla
Hi Kyla, you need to flare the bottom and not touch the underbust part, for that you need to use the slash method and retrace the hemline. The gathers are possible but only if you are very flat in the tummy otherwise it will make you look as if you were expecting a child which is fine if you don’t mind the look.
Great, thanks for the help!
It never fails to amaze me that women will let everything else hang out, but have a problem with showing their arms *snort* If it’s ninety degrees in the shade, I am certainly not going to wear sleeves! That said….this top would probably require too many adjustments for me, since “the gals” are no longer riding as high as they used to-shelf bras just don’t cut the mustard anymore!
I love that you put elastic on top of the bra part. I like wearing this type of tops for yard work but am tucking or holding floppy breast back. I even wear a bra with my spaghetti strap tops for endowment problems. I plan to increase the breast curve by splicing to point to give more room. Simple alteration for the endowment problem.
Indeed this is important for larger breasts, just make sure the under bust area fits the altered part.
Please let me know which color in the pattern corresponds with what size.
ty hildebrandtjane@gmail.com
From S to 2XL smaller in the inside the larger in the outside.
I had to purchase tops with a shelf bra because my girls need it, if I could make some I would be very happy.
Cute little top, can’t wait to see the additional looks!
Next one coming soon.
I have arrived at the age group where I don’t want to show my arms either. I would wear a sheer tunic over this.
But I have always been big-breasted, so I dunno about this thing fitting me.
You will need to measure the pattern and measure your girls and find out how much you need to add. Not difficult to do, but definitely have to if you are bigger than a D Cup.
Cute! And though I am not afraid to show my arms, I’d love to see the overblouse.
I wou I would live to see the curvy version next!
I would love to see a curvy version next!
I would like to see the linen over blouse, I don’t mind showing my arms, but I am cold most of the time.
This is very nice, how would I increase the bust? My oldest great-granddaughter is starting to develop and I would like to make a couple summer tops for her.
Thank you for your generosity. Even though I have been sewing for many years, when I review your site, I learn more, whether it is a new way to do something, or something new to do! Thank you.
Hi Silvia, it is absolute pleasure to share what I know with appreciative people. I have been lately inundated with requests from young women, this top is perfect for your great-granddaughter. I will write a post on how to increase the bust in this type of pattern. Stay tuned, please.
Agree that linen over blouse would be my choice also.
really cute but not for those of us with a larger rack 😉
Agree! I need the built in or shelf bra. My size J ta-ta’s need stronger support! The pattern is adorable though and I will totally make it for someone else. ❤️
Hi. I agree with you, Malinda. I hope that some day So-Sew-Easy will write about how to increase the sizes for those of us with not-so-average measurements. IE. larger bust and larger hips/waist. I couldn’t wear this because I need much more support. I mostly read the site for crafts and everything other than clothing. I do enjoy the articles and have made some purses.
Thank you for making a bust size 40-42 a large. Being that big, when I try to find clothing in stores, I keep getting pushed to a xl or xxl because of how big I am on top.
You have 2 pieces labeled Lower Front cut one on Fold. The not as “pointy” one needs to be Lower Back.
The pointy one is the front and must be cut on a fold. Indeed human error on my behalf.
FYI. I printed out the pattern and there are TWO lower fronts. I believe Pages 5 & 9 and surounding pages pattern piece should be marked LOWER BACK. Thank you for posting this pattern! Love it!
I have a comment to make about the title of this pattern: Spaghetti Top Pattern for EVERYONE?? Really? You forget that those of us that HAVE to wear bras cannot wear these thin little strappy tops. Oh, that we could go braless! I see being endowed as a curse but please don’t say these cute little tops are for everyone.
I don’t particularly mind showing my arms, (and I’m late 60’s) but I hate armholes that show the flab around the edges, ie. side boobs!
I’d like a linen over blouse too. The other thing I’d like is a plain camisole (for a pyjama top in summer) with a built in “shelf-bra” so it’s more comfortable for D or E cup ladies.
I have no problem showing my arms, and I suffer from summer heat, so would love to have a good spaghetti strap top. My problem – large bust which developed with menopause. I am looking for a very supportive built in bra.
There just has to be one!!!
Definitely an overblouse would be terrific – I’m a senior, so I agree with your mom & aunts. The upper arm is not attractive displayed in the summer, at least not mine!
Either I am blind or just not thinking straight but I cannot see how you are displaying the sizes in the pattern section. I see the different colors but no size numbers for each.
Neither, it was my fault I will add this to the post, so please look for it over the weekend when I am back at my computer. Currently at the farm and we live on solar power and very little data to be able to log into the computer.
Thank you for sharing another pattern. The linen over blouse would be my choice. Love your emails. Joan
Very nice top. I would also like to see the linen overblouse with this look. Thank you!
Ha! I’ve been harassing my two older sisters for years about this nonsense. They’re happy to boil and sweat rather than show their arms. I am 59 and put on weight over the pandemic but I will continue baring my older flabby arms because I want to be comfortable and if anyone doesn’t like my arms, well, don’t look at them! Middle sis is finally coming round to it too. Ladies, get over it. Be comfortable and be proud of your arms that work and do things for you! Look at older men on their sleeveless tops and with overhanging tummies- do they care?
Good for you!
Love her response as i sit her with my 76 yr old flabby arms out for all to see
Thank you,once again, for your enerosity in sharing this pattern. A linen over blouse would be perfect for me. Christine