How to Make a Cozy DIY Long-Sleeve Crop Top You Can Lounge In
If you’re looking for a really cozy lounge crop top, then follow this tutorial! This DIY long sleeve crop top has split, flared sleeves so it’s super comfy to wear and really cute. The long sleeve crop top sewing pattern begins with your own t-shirt, so really, all you’ll need to buy is some stretch-knit fabric.
Tools and materials:
- Stretch-knit fabric
- An old t-shirt
- Scissors
- Sewing pins
- Sewing elastic
- Tape measure
- Sewing machine with zigzag foot
1. Make the crop top sewing pattern
Lay your old t-shirt flat on your work surface with the front facing up. Measure from the top of the t-shirt down to the length you would like your final crop top to be and place a sewing pin at that mark.
Fold your t-shirt under at that pin mark and place it on a single layer of your stretch fabric.
2. Cut the fabric
Cut your fabric along the outline of your t-shirt, adding a ¼-inch seam allowance all the way around.
Use the piece you just cut as your pattern to cut a second piece exactly the same.
3. Sew the crop top bodice
Pin the two pieces of fabric together with right sides facing in. Use a zigzag stitch on your sewing machine to sew the top and bottom sleeve seams and the side seams.
For better comfort, you can cut the neckline a bit deeper, if you wish.
4. Make the crop top split flare sleeves
Fold your remaining fabric in half. Place your crop top sleeve on your fabric, with the top seam of the sleeve lining up with the fold of the fabric and overlapping the fabric a bit.
Now, measure your own arm from your neckline to your rest, and mark that measurement on your fabric. Cut the sleeve bottom at the wrist mark.
Move the crop top out of the way and complete cutting your flare sleeve fabric along the length.
Use the first sleeve as your pattern to cut a second sleeve exactly the same.
Measure 5 inches from the top end of the sleeve and place a pin at that mark. Repeat on the other sleeve.
With the right side of the sleeve facing in, sew from the top end of the sleeve to the pin using a zigzag stitch.
Turn your sleeves right-side out. With the crop top inside-out, place the flare sleeve into the short sleeve of the crop top, making sure that the side seams of your sleeve align with the seams on the crop top.
The open seam should be at the bottom of the sleeve, but when you insert it into the crop top, put the slit end in first.
Remember, the t-shirt is inside-out so if you put the slit end all the way in, then when you turn the top right-side out later, and pull the sleeve through, the slit will be at the bottom of the sleeve where it belongs!
Sew the upper edge of the flare sleeve to the bottom edge of the short sleeve using a zigzag stitch.
This is how the completed sleeve will look after you attach it.
Finish the bottom edge of the sleeve with a straight-stitch hem.
5. Make the crop top neckline and waistband
Cut a piece of fabric on the fold, the length of the neckline of the crop top. Cut another piece of fabric the width of the bottom of the crop top.
Sew the side seam on both of those pieces using a zigzag stitch.
Fold the neckline fabric in half lengthwise and pin it into the neckline of the crop top. Make sure the seam on the neck piece is positioned at the center back of your top, and the raw edges of the neck piece and neckline are together.
Fold the waistband piece of fabric in half lengthwise and pin it into the bottom of the crop top. This time make sure the seam of the waistband is aligned with a side seam of your top. Make sure the raw edges of the waistband and the top are together.
Sew the neck and waistband pieces in using a zigzag stitch. Then top stitch both seams for a clean look.
DIY long sleeve crop top tutorial
You’re done! What a gorgeous crop top you’ve made! If you’d like to make the matching pair of pants, then you can see my previous tutorial on how to sew high-waist pants.
Leave a comment if you liked this tutorial and let me know how yours turned out.
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