Sew a cozy sweatshirt this fall for FREE!

Get your Free Pattern

Pattern Hackers: How to Draft a Funnel Neck

Break the rules with three pattern hacks for the Oliver top, by Chelsea Miller.

Posted in: Sewing Tutorials • October 31, 2019





Everyone knows that sewing gives you superpowers. First on that long list is the ability to break the rules and make garments that represent you and your taste. We want to encourage you to think of our patterns as a blank canvas that you can customize to truly suit your style. 

Our pattern hacks are designed to teach you hacking basics that help you customize patterns so that you can become a confident pattern hacker. Each month, we will show you how to draft and sew one new pattern hack, and we'll share links to two additional pattern hacks from our pattern hacks library.






These hacks help you give your Seamwork patterns a custom spin—all you need is paper, a ruler, and a pencil!

This month, we're teaching you how to add a funnel neck to your Oliver top. This is an easy hack to make almost any top cold-weather ready. Our other featured hacks include lengthening the Oliver top into a dress and adding a kangaroo pocket.

Note: For best results, be sure to make any necessary fit adjustments before hacking your pattern.




HACK ONE: Funnel Neck













Add a funnel neck to your Oliver top for some extra warmth for the upcoming cold months!








DRAFTING INSTRUCTIONS








01



Measure the neckline of the front and back pieces of the Oliver top. This measurement will be half of the total neckline.














02



Use your ruler and pencil to draw a rectangle as wide as the measurement from step 1. The height can be as tall as you would like. We chose 4" total so the finished funnel neck would be 2".














03



Use your ruler and pencil to draw a 3/8" seam allowance around the funnel neck piece. Do not add seam allowance to the edge that will be cut on the fold.














04



Label this piece "Funnel neck, cut 1 on fold.”














HACK TWO: Lengthening to a Dress











Lengthen your Oliver top into a dress using this hack from issue 34.





HACK THREE: Adding a Kangaroo Pocket











Add a kangaroo pocket to your Oliver top using this hack from issue 36.








Related Articles
5 Pattern-Matching Tricks for Sewing Stripes and Checks With Confidence
Stop avoiding your favorite fabrics. These techniques make matching stripes and checks easier than you think.
How to Sew a Perfect Neckband Every Time: 5 Tips for Clean, Professional Results
Stop ending up with a floppy, stretched-out neckband — these five techniques will help you troubleshoot the most common problems and get a polished finish on every knit top you sew
How to Sew a Fitted T-Shirt from Start to Finish (With a Perfectly Flat Neckband Every Time)
Master the basics of sewing a knit tee with this complete step-by-step guide — including the neckband technique that changes everything.
How to Sew Bias-Cut Garments: 5 Essential Tips for Beautiful Drape
Master bias cutting techniques with confidence and create flowing garments that move beautifully with your body

Join the Snippets Newsletter

And Get the Hansie Woven T-Shirt Pattern for Free!

(Plus a new free pattern every season.)

Get these free patterns instantly when you join over 300,000 readers who get clever sewing ideas in their inbox each week.

Want to comment on this article?

Sign in or become a Seamwork member to comment on this article.

Sign in            Learn More