Turn Sweatshirt into a Tunic

How I turned an ordinary sweatshirt into a tunic.

I cross stitched this fun design on to a sweatshirt and designed that I wanted to transform the sweatshirt into a tunic.

Watch this video and read on to see how to turn a sweatshirt into a tunic.

WHAT YOU NEED:

• Fabric
• Lightweight fusible interfacing

HOW TO TURN SWEATSHIRT INTO TUNIC WITH "V" NECKLINE

STEP 1: REMOVING NECKLINE RIBBING

Staystitch around the neckline. This mean using a standard straight stitch, sew about 1/2" from the ribbing all the way round the neck. The staystitching will prevent the neckline from stretching out of shape.

Cut off the neck ribbing about 1/4" away from the staystitching.

STEP 2: PREPARING THE FACING PATTERNS

Make facing patterns. Fold the sweatshirt in half, pinning the shoulder seams together.

For front facing, place a piece of paper under the sweatshirt front and trace the neckline extending the shoulder line 1/2". To complete the front facing pattern, at the shoulder measure 3" from neckline edge to make shoulder and at the center front measure down 4" from the edge. Then draw a curved line between these two point.

Place a piece of paper under the sweatshirt back neckline and trace the neckline also extending the shoulder line 1/2". To complete the back facing pattern, at the shoulder measure 3" from the neckline edge to make the shoulder and in the center back measure down 5" from the edge. Again draw a curved line.

STEP 3: MAKING FACINGS

Cut one front facing and one back facing out of folded fabric.

Cut one front facing and one back facing out of fusible interfacing.

Fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of each fabric facing.

Stitch shoulder seams together using a 1/2" seam allowance.

Finish the outer edge of the facing by turning it under 1/4" and stitch.

STEP 4: MAKING "V" NECKLINE ON INTERFACING

At the center of the front facing, on the interfacing side, measure down 2 1/2" from neckline and draw a line. At the neckline, mark 1/2" on each side of center line. Draw lines from the 1/2" neckline mark to the 2 1/2" center line mark, forming a "v" shape.

STEP 5: ATTACH INTERFACING TO NECKLINE

Pin the facing to the neckline with right sides together.

Stitch around neckline using a 1/4" seam allowance. At center front, stitch along the marked "V" lines. At "V" point, sew one stitch across the point.

Clip curved seam allowance, being careful not to clip into the stitching. At center front, cut along the center marked line and trim the seam allowance. Do not clip into the stitching.

STEP 6: FINISHING NECKLINE

Turn facing to the inside of the sweatshirt and press.

Understitch the facing seam allowance around the neckline but not at the "V" portion. For a tutorial on how to understitch, click the link.

Turn facing to inside the sweatshirt, press and topstitch close to the edge around the neckline. Learn how to topstitch (edgestitch) by clicking the link.

STEP 7: MAKING CUFFS

Cut off sleeve cuffs.

Pin and stitch bias tape along the ends of the sleeves.

Cut fabric 6" (height) by the width of folded sleeve time two plus 1/2". Example if width of bottom edge of folded sleeve measures 7". You will need 7" + 7" + 1/2 = 14 1/2". So the fabric you would cut will be 6" by 14 1/2".

With right sides together, stitch short ends together using a 1/4" seam allowance., Press seam open.

With right side of fabric, pin to inside of sleeve. Stitch using 1/2"" seam allowance.

Turn under the other raw edge of cuff 1/2" and press.

Fold cuff to front and stitch.

Repeat with other sleeve.

STEP 8: FINISHING BOTTOM BORDER

Pin and stitch bias tape along the bottom edge.

Measure front and back of the sweatshirt from seam to seam. Cut two pieces of fabric, one for the front and one for the back, the width plus 1" seam allowance by 7".

Fold border fabric pieces in half, right sides together, and sew side seams.

Pin the right side edge of border to wrong side of sweatshirt, aligning raw edges. Stitch in place using a 1/2" seam allowance. You may need to open the side seam a little to get the border piece in place.

Turn other border raw edges under 1/2" and press. Fold border piece in half lengthwise. Pin to the sweatshirt front along bias tape.

Topstitch in place. Press.

Repeat with back border piece.

If you had to open the side seam a little, now sew it closed.
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