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Briar Sewalong: How to sew a knit neckline binding (the standard method)

How to sew a knit neckline binding (the standard way) // Tutorial by the Megan Nielsen Blog

As I mentioned earlier in the Briar sewalongmy “Megan Nielsen” method of knit neckline binding is different to the standard or more traditional method. So in case, you’d like to try the “normal” way, today I’m going to show you how!

Just to make things easy we’re going to use the binding pattern piece from the Briar pattern – but if you did this on another pattern, you’d just want to cut a binding strip that was either the same length as the circumference of your neckline (along the stitch line, not the raw edge) or an inch or so shorter. I prefer to make it a bit shorter, I find it conforms to the curve better, but most texts/instructions will tell you to cut the exact same length for a binding.

(and remember, a neckline band is a different thing. I know, too much stuff to remember!)

Okie Dokie let’s get going!

Fold your binding strip in half lengthways, and sew 5/8″ from the edge on the raw edge. You may use a serger/overlocker or a zig-zag stitch on a regular machine. Press seam flat.

Make sure to mark your notches and centre front and back on the binding piece and the t-shirt neckline.

Match up the notches and pin the binding to the neckline with right sides facing each other. Ease the binding into the curve as you go.

Sew 1/2″ from the neckline edge all the way around. (you may obviously choose to do a different width binding if you like, but I like chunker things)

Turn your top inside out. (ps. don’t forget to use a stretch or ballpoint needle! I totally forgot to change my needle, and left my denim needle in. big mistake – check out those crazy skipped stitches!)

Now fold the binding strip over the neckline edge to encase it.

Then topstitch on the binding close to the seamline.

Trim away the excess fabric as close to the stitching as you care

Don’t forget to press your binding! This will help to set the curve and get any crazy puckers out.

You can use this same technique on the armscyes of a sleeveless Briar!

PS. I wish this fabric was photographed better – because it’s totally awesome… sad face.


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About Author

Meg is the Founder and Creative Director of Megan Nielsen Patterns, and is constantly dreaming up ideas for new sewing patterns and ways to make your sewing journey more enjoyable! She gets really excited about design details and is always trying to add way too many variations to our patterns.

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Rebby
Rebby
10 years ago

Thank you so much for this! I’ve been struggling how to sew a neck line and your visuals help me!

Mia
Mia
10 years ago

Thanks for this tutorial. It’s great! I’ll finally get it right!
I love your designs!!

Kerry
10 years ago

The knit neckline tutorials have been incredibly helpful- I find it the trickiest bit on a knit project

trackback

[…]  Before we finished up for the day I had my shoulder seams sewn, the neckline finished with my new favorite method, and my side seams sewn.  All I had left was to bind the arm holes and hem […]

trackback

[…] been satisfied with the bands that most patterns call for so when Lauren at Lladybird posted about this binding method from Megan Nielsen, I was all over it.  I LOVE the results and don’t think I’ll ever go back to the bands […]

Carol
9 years ago

I missed something, where is the finished zig zag on the front of the
shirt ?

trackback

[…] New binding for knit necklines […]

Donna Thiemann
Donna Thiemann
8 years ago

Megan, Do you have instructions on making a v-neck? I also wonder if it’s possible to change a shirt from Round neck to v-Neck? I have some T-Shirts that are cut too high since I have a short neck. I would love to change these necklines to V-Neck. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you!

Donna