Kids Makes

Bow-tied Halter Top

Constructed from a colourful T-shirt attached to the cut-off waistband from a pair of dark blue vintage jeans - this top is an outright showstopper.

The extremely long neck sash allows for various tying options. The blouson halter style can be worn with many different types of bottoms—long, flowing skirts, boot-cut jeans, or culottes. We suggest covering your legs, since your entire back is revealed.

This project is not only about the denim but the T-shirt as well—we recommend using a T-shirt with elaborate silk screening. Here we chose a royal blue T-shirt with a beautifully screened image of a Native American and an eagle, which complements the dark blue denim used at the waist.

A die-hard supporter of Sistahs of Harlem, Fatima Robinson, choreographer dancer-director extraordinaire, has sported our threads since the inception of the company. “I love the this halter top because it is versatile, free, and moving.”

 MATERIALS

•    L or XL T-shirt, your choice of color and print

•    1 pair of jeans, well fitting or one size smaller (dark denim as suggested)

•    Masking tape

•    Heavy-duty straight pins

•    Fabric Glue

•    Seam ripper

‘If we were to use a human term to describe a textile we might say that denim is an honest

fabric—substantial,  forthright, and unpretentious’ —American Fabrics Magazine, 1962.

Steps to make

1. Using iron, press T-shirt right side out, completely flat.

2. Fold T-shirt, right side out, in half along centre front, as shown - lay flat. Mark new cutting lines around neck, shoulders and sleeve as shown. For neck, mark line starting at shoulder seam, 1” out from neck band,  and ending about 1⁄2” below neckband at centre front.

For new armhole, start at same shoulder seam point as new neck cutting line, ending at a point about 4” below underarm. Using masking tape, label this piece A - as shown – this is the top of the halter.

2. Mark three horizontal cutting lines on body of shirt—one 14” down from shoulder seam, the next 6 inches below the first line, and the last 4” below the second line,as shown. Using masking tape, label pieces B–D, as shown. (B and C will become waistband and tie; D will become neckband and tie.) On sleeve, mark cutting line about 1 inch outside armhole seam, as shown in red; label this E.

3. Using scissors, cut through both layers, following cutting lines, as marked. On halter piece (A), cut the front away from the back at side seams, and keep piece cut from shirt front only, as shown below. Cut away side seams on pieces B and C, then stitch them together at one short end to create one long piece, as shown. Cut away one side seam on piece D and lay flat, as shown. Mark centre front at top and bottom of halter piece (A).

4.Take one piece E (formerly a sleeve) and cut it down the centre - as shown, saving both pieces for later. (Pin them together so they don’t get misplaced.)

5. Cut away a section of the front of jeans only, just inside the side seams and about 4-5” down from the waistband, following cutting lines - as shown. Using a seam ripper and embroidery scissors, remove zipper from pre-cut jean front. (Now remove all the extra layers of fabric from the jean waistband).

6. On piece A, gather neck and bottom edges by hand or machine stitching a row of basting stitches 1”down from top of neckline, and at bottom, 1” up from raw edge, as shown. Pull basting threads from both ends in a drawstring motion, until the top edge is the same measurement as your front neck and the bottom edge the same measurement as your front waist, as shown.

7. Take neck band/tie piece D and with right sides together, pin piece D to gathered neck- line of halter piece A, matching raw edges and center of D to center of A, as shown. With right sides together, pin waist- band/tie piece B/C to bottom of piece A, matching raw edges and center seam of B/C to centre of bottom edge of A. Stitch neck band/tie (D) to neck of halter (A), and waist- and/tie (B/C) to bottom of halter (A) with a 1⁄4”seam, following dotted lines as shown.

On right side, press neckband up over neck seam, and bottom band down over bottom seam.

8.Take pre-cut jean front (from Step 5)
and pin or glue the wrong side of the jean front waistband
over right side of the waistband/tie (B/C), matching top edge of jean front to top edge of band and zipper placket of jean front to center front of band, as shown. With the right side facing up, place all layers under presser foot of sewing machine and stitch jean front to shirt front about 1⁄4 inch from top edge of jean waistband, and again 1⁄4 inch from bottom edge of waistband. Press seams flat.

9. Now use the two pre-cut E pieces to fill the gaps between the sides of the halter top and the waistband/ties (this gap is labeled F in previous illustration). Mark cut lines in the shape of a triangle on the two E pieces, as shown. The shortest edge of the triangle should be the same length as the raw, side edge of the halter (labeled G in illustration), and the other two sides of triangle should be about 7” long.

Right sides together, pin triangle pieces to halter and waistband/ties, with the shortest side of triangle pinned to halter top, and one long edge of triangle pinned to waistband/tie, as shown. Stitch tri- angles in place as shown. Press seams flat.

Further information
This project has been reproduced from Denim Mania by Carmen Webber and Carmia Marshall, (ISBN 9780312359911). Denim fans will have a great time working their way through the projects in this super book. There are 25 fun and funky ideas for deconstructing and reconstructing jeans (old or new) into a variety of stylish garments and accessories including jackets, tops, skirts, shorts, bags and belts. This is a very thorough guide with useful information about different types of denim including special finishes and fibres. There is also a handy glossary showing popular styles of jean complete with a guide to selecting the most flattering shape according to figure type. Sewing techniques cover measuring, marking and stitching basics whilst each project includes detailed step-by-step instructions. Those who like plenty of bling on their denim will find lots of ideas for embellishing with crystals, applique, buttons and trims.


Many of the projects combine denim with other de-constructed garments so this is a great title for those who love to recycle and it’s also an ideal choice for trendy youngsters looking to create individual styles. Priced at £12.99 and published by St Martin’s Press and distributed by Search Press.

HANDY HINT: Note spaces marked F on illustration; these are important for next step.