Haltered States

This is one of my favorite looks for Cher, wearing a halter style dress, 1972.

  
Current sleeveless tops with gathered neckline and banded collar.

A re-issue of a 1960's pattern from Burda’s 1960’s vintage collection:  halter style tops

Size:  Misses’ EUR  32-44 or US 6-18  I sewed a Misses 40 or US 14.

Fabric: stretch cotton sateen

I have already made 5 tops, with the cotton sateen being my favorite fabric to work with using this pattern. The one shown is my 4th version.

 

Directions:  They were logical and easy to follow with helpful diagrams.  I really like the Burda commercial patterns.  The seam allowances are also included.

Favorite Features/Other Features: The “cutaway” sleeveless style, ruched front and mock collar.  It has the halter look from the front, without having bare partial back.

Designed to fit those who are taller, with longer torsos.  I need to more adjustments to the pattern  such another petite adjustment between the waist and lower armscye.

Have to gather and place the neckband precisely to the corresponding markings on the neckline (front and two back edges).  It helps to baste the neckband  and try on the top, noting the distribution of the gathers, placement of the neckband so that the front armholes are level.

Directions:

Prepare the neckband: apply interfacing,  fold in half and press; press up seam allowance on facing portion

Attach zipper at the center back which starts approximately 6" below a keyhole opening at the back.  I omitted the zipper and replaced it with a center back seam since there was enough allowance to slip an out of the top.  The stretch of the fabric also allowed me to pursue this option.

Sew side seams below the armscye.

Apply bias strip to the armscyes.

Gather the neckline.

Baste interfaced neckband to the neckline, matching dots .  Try on top, and make adjustments if necessary to align the neckline for symmetry.

Stitch the neckband to the neckline, stitch the ends, right sides together, and turn to the inside

Topstitch the lower edges of neckband

Attach closures at ends

Alterations/Modifications

*My typical 1” petite adjustment at the waist

*Narrow the upper back from the center

*instead of using a zipper for the center back, I stitched center back seam up to the base of a  keyhole opening, 6" below the neckline.  Turn in topstitch hems of opening.

*Stitch  the bias strip to the inside (instead of the outside as directed) ¼” from the raw edge (right side of strip to wrong side of garment), turning to the outside, press raw edge under , and topstitch.  I wanted to forgo handstitching the  facing edge from the inside.

 

Conclusion:

A nice classic top that looks au courant and sleek. With only two available views, the possibilities are endless with changes in fabric.