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How to sew a V neckline on a tee or bodysuit

How to sew a v-neck tee

I know that for a lot of people sewing a V neckband into a t-shirt is a bit of a terrifying concept – but honestly, learning to sew a v-neckline on a tee or bodysuit is not as hard as you think. We can do this! :)

As per usual I think the trick to sewing a perfect V neckline in stretch fabric is preparation and taking your time. For our Rowan lookbook samples, we used self-fabric for the neckband, and in this tutorial, I’m using a contrast fabric to make it easier to see what’s going on. You can also use ribbing for your neckband to add a bit of a sporty look!

Ok ready to get sewing?

How to sew a V neckline on a tshirt // Rowan bodysuit and tee sewalong on Megan Nielsen Design Diary

Fold the V neckband [9] in half with right sides facing each other. Using a straight stitch, sew ¼” (0.6cm) from the raw edge along the inverted V. My favourite trick at this stage is to place some tissue paper behind the fabric as you sew. It helps when working with narrow seam allowances and slippery fabrics by giving the feed dogs something stable to grip to. Check out this post for more on sewing with tissue paper.

How to sew a V neckline on a tshirt // Rowan bodysuit and tee sewalong on Megan Nielsen Design Diary
How to sew a V neckline on a tshirt // Rowan bodysuit and tee sewalong on Megan Nielsen Design Diary

Clip into the corner of the V, being careful not the cut through the stitches. Press the seam open.

How to sew a V neckline on a tshirt // Rowan bodysuit and tee sewalong on Megan Nielsen Design Diary
How to sew a V neckline on a tshirt // Rowan bodysuit and tee sewalong on Megan Nielsen Design Diary

Fold the V neckband in half widthways with wrong sides facing each other. Ensure that the V-neck seam is lined up on both sides and that the raw edges of the neckband are lined up all the way around.

Once again using a straight stitch, sew a line of basting stitching ¼” (0.6cm) from the raw edge around the V to hold the band seam in place.

How to sew a V neckline on a tshirt // Rowan bodysuit and tee sewalong on Megan Nielsen Design Diary

Place the tee/bodysuit with right side facing outwards. Starting roughly 2” (5cm) from the centre of the V neckline, use a straight stitch and sew ¼” (0.6cm) from the raw edge pivoting at the V and sewing up the other side for roughly 2” (5cm). Did you notice I used tissue paper again? I love that stuff! Place a bit of tissue paper behind your v-neck point, pin it in place, and sew your basting stitches right through it. It will make your life SO much easier I promise.

How to sew a V neckline on a tshirt // Rowan bodysuit and tee sewalong on Megan Nielsen Design Diary

Clip into the corner of the V being careful not to cut through the stitches.

How to sew a V neckline on a tshirt // Rowan bodysuit and tee sewalong on Megan Nielsen Design Diary

This picture is really just here so I can show you how it is going to fit together.

How to sew a V neckline on a tshirt // Rowan bodysuit and tee sewalong on Megan Nielsen Design Diary

Place the V neckband on the neckline with right sides together.

How to sew a V neckline on a tshirt // Rowan bodysuit and tee sewalong on Megan Nielsen Design Diary
How to sew a V neckline on a tshirt // Rowan bodysuit and tee sewalong on Megan Nielsen Design Diary

Spread the neckline open at the clipped opening so that it lines up with the neckband. Ensure that the raw edges of the neckline line up with the raw edges of the band, and the basting stitches are aligned. Pin in place.

I find that it is easiest to do this with the body on top of the band so that you can see if everything is lined up correctly. I have photographed it the other way above, as you wouldn’t have been able to see the band underneath the body.

How to sew a V neckline on a tshirt // Rowan bodysuit and tee sewalong on Megan Nielsen Design Diary
How to sew a V neckline on a tshirt // Rowan bodysuit and tee sewalong on Megan Nielsen Design Diary

I always like to sew with the body on top and the neckband underneath, as I find it easier to see if everything is lining up as it should.

How to sew a V neckline on a tshirt // Rowan bodysuit and tee sewalong on Megan Nielsen Design Diary

Using a straight stitch sew the band to the body ¼” (0.6cm) from the raw edge for 2” (5cm) on either side of the V neck only.

Pin the rest of the neckband to the tee/bodysuit. The notches on the v-neckband will line up with the shoulder seams. The centre back of the v neckband should line up with the centre back neckline. Pin in place then sew ¼” (0.6cm) from the raw edge with a zig-zag stitch or overlocker/serger, to attach the v-neckband to the neckline. Ensure that the raw edges line up, and stretch the neckband as you sew so that all three layers of fabric are lined up.

Press the seams toward the body away from the neckband.

Optional: Topstitch next to the neckline seam using a zig-zag stitch or twin needle (on the tee, not the band), in order to hold the seam flat along the length of the neckline band piece.


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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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[…] How to sew a V neck on knit fabric  […]

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6 years ago

About The Printed Zig Zag V Neck T Shirt

[…] roughly 2” (5cm). Did you notice i used tissue paper again? I love that stuff! […]

Bozena MISSONI
Bozena MISSONI
2 years ago

What is the lenght of the V neckline tape..just as long as the necklime, shorter or longer..I have a problem..my neckline fits perfectly and after attaching a tape it starts to make waves and blow up from the body

Naomi
2 years ago
Reply to  Bozena MISSONI

Hiya Bozena, great question! The V-neckband should be slightly shorter than the neckline so that you have to stretch it when you attach it – that way it should sit nice and flat against your body. If you used the pattern piece but your band still isn’t sitting nicely against your body (maybe because your fabrics stretch percentage or recovery properties are a little different – every fabric reacts differently!), you might like to try trimming the band smaller so you have to stretch it more when inserting it. If you still don’t have success with that, you could also try using a stretchier fabric for the neckband like neckline ribbing! :) I hope thats useful – let us know if you have any other questions we can help with!

Marcela
Marcela
4 months ago

Thank you for this post! Super helpful to see a step by step.

Unfortunately my clip of the V-shape seems to have frayed and is now past the running stitch line. What can I do about that? I’m thinking of sewing that place and starting again. Any tips?

Another thing: I can’t seem to get the V shape of the neckline to match! There’s always one side of the neckline is aligned and looks good, but the other is a bit off-center. Is it worth cutting the neckline piece and starting again?

Thank you in advance :)