Darling Ranges sewalong: how to raise the neckline

The Darling Ranges dress is a low cut dress with a deep v neck – so if you’re not particularly a fan of low cut styles – you may want to learn how to raise the neckline a bit.

Once again, it’s not too hard! Here’s how:

Add some more pattern paper behind the neckline of your bodice pattern and tape it in place.

Decide how much higher you’d like the neckline. I wish I could give a guide for you on this, but unfortunately how deep the neckline is will differ based on your body shape and your personal preferences – the best indication you can get is from where it sits in relation to things like the bust points and armsyces.

Once you’ve decide how much you’d like to raise it by, use your ruler to mark a point above the centre fold of the placket. I did 1″.

Extend the fold lines.

Fold the placket along the fold lines as you would do with the fabric.

Now draw a new neckline from the top of the new fold line you drew and the inner of the shoulder.

Pull out your scissors and cut along this line while the paper is still folded. This is the easiest way to accurate transfer the new neckline shape along the placket.

Unfold your pattern, and you’re ready to go!

Keep in mind that by raising the neckline you may need to add more buttons or change the arrangement of the buttons so that the finished dress closes nicely.

// LOOKING FOR MORE TUTORIALS? //

Here’s the full list of Darling Ranges tutorials:

• Project preparation
• Pattern alterations: full bust adjustment
• Pattern alterations: small bust adjustment
• Pattern alterations: lengthen the bodice
• Pattern alterations: raise the neckline
• Pattern alterations: rounded neckline
• Pattern alterations: fishtail hem
• Pattern alterations: add darts to the back bodice pattern piece
• Sewing & construction: Bodice & darts
• Sewing & construction: Skirt & pockets
• Sewing & construction: Attaching the skirt & bodice
• Sewing & construction: Placket & Neckline
• Sewing & construction: Sleeveless version
• Sewing & construction: Attaching the sleeves
• Sewing & construction: Hemming
• Sewing & construction: Ties & beltloops
• Sewing & construction: Closures
• Sewing and Construction: Sleeveless variation
• Sewing and Construction: Dartless Versions (V2 &V3)
• Don’t have the Darling Ranges sewing pattern yet? Get it in store here! We absolutely love seeing what you make, so don’t forget to tag your creations with #MNdarlingranges and @megannielsenpatterns if sharing on social media.