BOW TOP - HACK PDF - ADD ON TO 'ZW CROPPED SHIRT' PATTERN
Please note: This PDF sewing pattern uses zero waste pattern cutting and comprises of instructions to draw shapes directly onto your fabric. There are no large pattern pieces to print out and the document can be viewed as a PDF, or printed on A4/US Letter Paper.
* Please note you will need to purchase the ZERO WASTE CROPPED SHIRT PDF pattern size ONE to complete this hack. The BOW TOP HACK is a PDF download that includes all additional instructions to make this garment. There are no templates included in this pattern as you will be using the same templates included in the ZW CROPPED SHIRT PATTERN.
*This pattern is for personal and non-profit use only and should not be used for commercial purposes in any way.
- The Method
- Description
- Size Chart
- Fabric + Notions
- Helpful Links + Tutorials
Zero waste pattern cutting is a bit like a puzzle. It is a method of pattern drafting where you utilise a length of fabric end to end by strategically planning your pattern pieces so that everything is used. This pattern does not require printing of large pattern pieces, instead you draw your pattern pieces directly onto your fabric with the aid of a cutting plan and templates. We love working with this method for 3 reasons:
1. More flexibility: This method allows for easy changes such as using different fabric widths and making simple fit and design changes yourself. Using patterns that fit into a zero waste square or rectangular block is a very efficient way to work. It means that it is easier to patchwork together remnants or use left over fabrics you already have lying around.
2. An easy way to learn to self draft your own patterns : Working this way will help you to start building a toolbox of skills, and you will learn an alternative method of self drafting your own sewing patterns, which are super easy for beginners to understand.
3. Less fabric and paper waste: Without having to print full scale paper patterns for all pieces you save on a lot of paper, and you will have little to no fabric waste during the cutting and sewing process!
This hack is based on the ZW Cropped Shirt pattern. The neck and centre front edges of the top are finished with a binding and close with thin ties. The sleeve features gathers at the hem with a split and thin ties to close.
Recommended Tools
Sewing machine, iron, chalk or dissolvable pen, scissors, large right angle ruler and/or long straight ruler.
Techniques used
Gathers, binding, rouleau ties.
PDF Pattern/Instruction Booklet: Includes measurements in both metric (centimetres) and US imperial (inches). Booklet/Templates are printable on both A4 or US Letter Paper size.
This is a ONE SIZE garment, with the determined by the fabric width used. It comes with 2 different cutting plans allowing you to use both narrow and wide fabric widths.
Choose which plan to use based on the FABRIC WIDTH you are using.
-CUTTING PLAN A is suitable for narrower widths, 110-115cm / 43-45”. This layout is suitable for a bust circumference of up to 115cm / 45” (this includes a generous amount of ease). If you want to make this suitable for a larger bust you can add to the length of the cutting plan the amount extra that you need. The instruction booklet includes more details on how to do this.
-CUTTING PLAN B is suitable for wider widths, 120-150cm / 47-59”. The size of this garment is determined by the fabric width. See below for the maximum recommended bust circumference by fabric width. This allows for a generous amount of ease.
Fabric Width : Maximum Bust Circumference
120cm / 47" : 95cm / 37"
125cm / 49" : 100cm / 39"
130cm / 51" : 105cm / 41"
135cm / 53" : 110cm / 43"
140cm / 55" : 115cm / 45"
145cm / 57" : 120cm / 47"
150cm / 59" : 125cm / 49"
Fabric Type
Use a light weight cotton or linen in a width of between 110 - 150cm / 43 - 59”. The length/usage required is based on the fabric width you are using, refer to the CUTTING PLAN A and B for more. You will also need quite a lot of bias binding strips cut for the binding and ties. If you want this to match allow for a little extra fabric on top of the main layout to cut your own binding from.
Recommended Widths : Yardage Requirements
110cm - 115cm / 43" - 45" : 140cm / 55"
120cm - 150cm / 47" - 59" : 95cm / 37.5"
Notions Required
This top requires bias binding strips for the neck binding and ties. You can either buy this by the meter in a light weight contrast fabric OR if you want these to match the main fabric allow for an extra length of fabric and cut your own.
The total lengths of bias strips you will need are......
BINDING- 4cm x 260cm / 1.5” x 103”
TIES- 2.5cm x 330cm / 1” x 130”
The Method
Zero waste pattern cutting is a bit like a puzzle. It is a method of pattern drafting where you utilise a length of fabric end to end by strategically planning your pattern pieces so that everything is used. This pattern does not require printing of large pattern pieces, instead you draw your pattern pieces directly onto your fabric with the aid of a cutting plan and templates. We love working with this method for 3 reasons:
1. More flexibility: This method allows for easy changes such as using different fabric widths and making simple fit and design changes yourself. Using patterns that fit into a zero waste square or rectangular block is a very efficient way to work. It means that it is easier to patchwork together remnants or use left over fabrics you already have lying around.
2. An easy way to learn to self draft your own patterns : Working this way will help you to start building a toolbox of skills, and you will learn an alternative method of self drafting your own sewing patterns, which are super easy for beginners to understand.
3. Less fabric and paper waste: Without having to print full scale paper patterns for all pieces you save on a lot of paper, and you will have little to no fabric waste during the cutting and sewing process!
Description
This hack is based on the ZW Cropped Shirt pattern. The neck and centre front edges of the top are finished with a binding and close with thin ties. The sleeve features gathers at the hem with a split and thin ties to close.
Recommended Tools
Sewing machine, iron, chalk or dissolvable pen, scissors, large right angle ruler and/or long straight ruler.
Techniques used
Gathers, binding, rouleau ties.
PDF Pattern/Instruction Booklet: Includes measurements in both metric (centimetres) and US imperial (inches). Booklet/Templates are printable on both A4 or US Letter Paper size.
Size Chart
This is a ONE SIZE garment, with the determined by the fabric width used. It comes with 2 different cutting plans allowing you to use both narrow and wide fabric widths.
Choose which plan to use based on the FABRIC WIDTH you are using.
-CUTTING PLAN A is suitable for narrower widths, 110-115cm / 43-45”. This layout is suitable for a bust circumference of up to 115cm / 45” (this includes a generous amount of ease). If you want to make this suitable for a larger bust you can add to the length of the cutting plan the amount extra that you need. The instruction booklet includes more details on how to do this.
-CUTTING PLAN B is suitable for wider widths, 120-150cm / 47-59”. The size of this garment is determined by the fabric width. See below for the maximum recommended bust circumference by fabric width. This allows for a generous amount of ease.
Fabric Width : Maximum Bust Circumference
120cm / 47" : 95cm / 37"
125cm / 49" : 100cm / 39"
130cm / 51" : 105cm / 41"
135cm / 53" : 110cm / 43"
140cm / 55" : 115cm / 45"
145cm / 57" : 120cm / 47"
150cm / 59" : 125cm / 49"
Fabric + Notions
Fabric Type
Use a light weight cotton or linen in a width of between 110 - 150cm / 43 - 59”. The length/usage required is based on the fabric width you are using, refer to the CUTTING PLAN A and B for more. You will also need quite a lot of bias binding strips cut for the binding and ties. If you want this to match allow for a little extra fabric on top of the main layout to cut your own binding from.
Recommended Widths : Yardage Requirements
110cm - 115cm / 43" - 45" : 140cm / 55"
120cm - 150cm / 47" - 59" : 95cm / 37.5"
Notions Required
This top requires bias binding strips for the neck binding and ties. You can either buy this by the meter in a light weight contrast fabric OR if you want these to match the main fabric allow for an extra length of fabric and cut your own.
The total lengths of bias strips you will need are......
BINDING- 4cm x 260cm / 1.5” x 103”
TIES- 2.5cm x 330cm / 1” x 130”
Helpful Links + Tutorials