DIY This Urban Outfitters-Inspired Velvet Top
Mid-December has come fast and the holidays are just around the corner. So if you’re like us, you’re ready to get all pretty and pampered to welcome the party season. Maybe you’re dreaming about classic Christmas-movie outfits but you don’t want to break the bank. That’s why we hunted down some lush velvet fabric and DIYed this top inspired by Urban Outfitter’s Urban Renewal Vintage Mock Neck Top ($28), all for under $10. It’ll keep you on point and on budget as you sip that bubbly.
Materials and Tools:
- stretch velvet
- matching thread
- sewing machine
- tailor’s chalk
- pins
- fabric scissors
- old top
Instructions:
1. Fold the fabric in half and be sure that the good sides (the sides you want to show) are facing in. Then place your old top on it.
2. Use the tailor’s chalk to trace the outline of the top. Ignore the sleeves for now and trace where the shoulder seam is instead.
3. Pin the fabric and cut. Leave an extra half-inch to account for the seam. Then sew following the dashed lines shown below.
4. Place your old tee sleeve onto the fabric fold. Trace all around the sleeve, leaving about half an inch of seam allowance. Adjust the sleeve length to whatever you like.
5. Cut and repeat with the second sleeve.
6. Fold half an inch of the sleeve’s outer edge and pin it. Sew the edge and repeat with the other sleeve.
7. Turn the top right side out. Match up the sleeve and the shoulder seam together, then pin the sleeve all the way around the arm hole and sew. Then repeat on the other side.
8. Cut a 4 x 20-inch piece of velvet, fold it in half and sew.
9. Turn the velvet strip right side out, then pin it all the way around the neck hole and sew.
Use a stretchy velvet fabric that you like and an old top with your desired fit. Then fold the fabric in half and place your old turtleneck on top. Be sure that you can horizontally stretch the fabric. Next, use the tailor’s chalk (or a washable marker) to trace all around the top. Don’t trace the sleeves for now — trace where the shoulder seam is instead. At this point, pin the fabric and cut, leaving a small seam allowance of about one inch. You should end up with two identical pieces. Next it’s time to sew the two parts together, so sew following the dashed lines shown in the picture above.
At this point, place your old top’s sleeve onto the fabric fold. Trace all around the sleeve, leaving about a half-inch seam allowance. Since it’s a completely custom project, feel free to decide how long you want the sleeve to be.
Use your fabric scissors to cut the first sleeve, then repeat with the other one. Now fold half an inch of the sleeve’s outer edge and pin it. Sew the edge and repeat with the other sleeve. Next, turn the top right side out, match up the sleeve and the shoulder seam together, pin the sleeve all the way around the arm hole and sew. Then repeat on the other side.
Now we’re creating a sort of turtleneck, so cut out a 4 x 20-inch piece of velvet, fold it in half and sew. Then turn the velvet strip right side out, pin it all the way around the neck hole and sew. Ta-dah! You’re done!
Pair your new top with a high-waisted skirt and black tights for an office-appropriate party look, or style it with a sequin mini for a fancy night out.
What’s your go-to way to wear your favorite velvet top? Follow us on Pinterest for more style inspo!
