Happy new year! I like to start the year with a belly dance practice outfit series. This year is a bit different and special because I’m pregnant!
But I realized there aren’t many lesson outfit options that are cute and comfortable for our baby bumps.
So I made this cute 2-piece practice outfit that is maternity friendly and will make your lessons even more fun! Of course, you can enjoy it when you’re not pregnant too.
Today I’ll show you how to create this comfy batwing crop top. Let’s get started!
Click here to learn more about the flare pants course!
To make this batwing crop top, you need:
About 1m (1yd) of stretch fabric – I recommend lightweight stretch fabric for this top.
Less than 1m (1yd) of 2.5cm (1in) wide elastic
T-shirt to use as a pattern
Matching color thread
DIY Batwing Crop Top
Batwing crop top pattern
First, put on your T-shirt, and see where the underbust line is. Mark it with a pin or safety pin.
And around the end of the sleeves, measure the circumference of your arm. If you want longer sleeves than your T-shirt, let’s say 10cm (4in) longer, then measure the circumference of your arm at that point.
Next, place your fabric on a flat surface, and see which direction it stretches. If it is a 4-way stretch fabric, that’s great. Just check which direction it stretches better.
Then fold your fabric right sides together.
Place your T-shirt on top of the fabric, and make sure the direction of stretch you checked earlier is parallel to the width of your T-shirt.
And fold up your T-shirt at the pin.
Now trace the T-shirt’s outline. I made my neckline a bit wider than my T-shirt to make it a boatneck style. I marked the ends about 3cm (1 1/4in) away from the original neckline and followed the front side of the T-shirt for the depth of the neckline to make it a little looser fit.
Around the shoulder seams, make the lines flatter and smoother so there are no sharp corners.
You can simply trace the sleeves, but I made mine about 10cm (4in) longer.
Then at the bottom end of the sleeve, trace a line parallel to the sleeve, and mark half of your arm measurement minus 1cm (3/8in) from the top of the line.
Then keep the width of the sleeve the same about 2cm (3/4in) from the end. Then connect it to the folded end of the T-shirt with a curved line like this.
Repeat the steps on the other side of the shirt.
And trace the folded end of the shirt.
Now extend the bottom end by 5cm (2in). This is a seam allowance plus extra to give the shirt a little more room.
At this point, check to see if the shape looks more or less symmetrical. If it is, let’s start cutting!
Cut fabric
Cut out the panels while adding a 1cm (3/8in) seam allowance except for the bottom edge.
Once the panels are cut, measure the length of the neckline.
Cut a narrow strip that is 4cm (1 1/2in) wide and the length is double the neckline measurement plus 5cm (2in).
Alright, let’s start sewing!
Sew your Batwing Crop Top
Keep the panel’s right sides together, and first, do a zigzag stitch along one of the shoulder seams with a 1cm (3/8in) seam allowance.
Then open up the panels, right side up. Take the long strip, and fold it wrong sides together lengthwise.
Place the raw edges of the strip against the edge of the neckline like this, right sides together. And do a zigzag stitch with a 5mm (1/4in) seam allowance.
Trim the excess strip, and match the shoulder seam. Flip the strip out so you can match the ends of the strip. And do a zigzag stitch with a 1cm (3/8in) seam allowance.
Turn the strip towards the wrong side like this. Make sure the seam is right at the fold or slightly towards the wrong side, so it won’t show from the right side. And do a straight stitch right next to the edge of the strip.
Now the neckline is finished neatly.
Next, match up the sides and do a zigzag stitch with a 1cm (3/8in) seam allowance.
Then at the ends of the sleeves, fold 1cm (3/8in) from the edges and do a zigzag stitch.
Now cut your elastic into a length that’s nice and snug around the underbust line, plus 2.5cm (1in). Overlap the ends by 2.5cm (1in) and sew the ends together.
And quarter mark this elastic. Quarter-marking is easy. Simply fold the elastic and mark the folds. And match up the marks and mark the new folds. Now you have 4 equally distributed marks on the elastic.
And quarter mark the bottom end of the shirt. We can use side seams as 2 marks, so fold the shirt in half to find the midway points. Now it’s quarter marked.
Turn your shirt right side out, and place the elastic on the wrong side of the shirt. And match up the edges and the quarter marks.
Do a zigzag stitch along the edges. The shirt and elastic are slightly different lengths, so pull the layers to match the lengths as you sew.
Now flip the elastic part towards the wrong side to encase the elastic. And do a zigzag stitch along the raw edge of the shirt, while pulling the layers for a neat finish.
And your batwing crop top is complete! It’s comfy and a great alternative to a plain t-shirt to wear to your dance lessons!
And next week I’ll show you how I made this matching, high-waisted hip scarf. Now that I’ve got a baby bump going, I made this adjustable in size, and it’s great for maternity or regular practice outfit.
If you’re curious about making this hip scarf, make sure to sign up for my newsletter below!
Also, if you’re curious about these lace pants I’m wearing here, I have good news!
These comfy, custom-made pants are what I’m going to be teaching in my upcoming course! If you always struggle to find flared pants that are not too long, not too short, and fit you well, this course is for you!
I’m doing a pre-sale of this course next Friday! The pre-sale has ended, but the course is still available with 2 additional design options!
Click here to learn more about the pants course & see other pants designs!
Hope you liked this DIY batwing crop top tutorial, and if you did, please share this tutorial with your dancer friends!
And if you want to make more belly dance costuming bits, join my free course, Belly Dance Costume Making 101. You’ll get lots of beginner-friendly tutorials in this course!
Thanks for reading, and keep sparkling!
P.S. Pin this image on your practice outfit board!
Like what you read? Want to make more costuming bits yourself?
Learn more and sign up for my free email course, Belly Dance Costume Making 101 here!
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