Today we’ll be covering how to add a neckline binding – unlike a neckline band, fabric is used to bind and enclose the raw edges of the neckline, rather than being attached to the neckline edges.
This neckline works really nicely on the Briar sweater and tee, Mini Briar sweater and tee and Cara maternity tee sewing patterns.
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 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.
Okie dokie lets get going!
Fold your binding strip in half length ways, 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 tshirt neckline.
Match up the notches and pin the binding to the neckline with right sides facing each other. Ease the binding in to the curve as you go.
Sew 1/2″ from the neckline edge all the way round. (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 topstich on the binding close to the seamline.
Trim away the excess fabric as close to the stitching as you care
Don’t forget to 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 the armsyces of a sleeveless tee!
[ PATTERNS THAT USE THIS TUTORIAL ]
SHOP: BRIAR // CARA // MINI BRIAR
