Lately, I have been going through my closet trying to find some of the nicer tops that usually wear to more formal events and even date nights. Feeling frustrated, I decided to make a new one. Today on Happiest Camper, I’m going to show you How To Make A Dolman Top With Free Pattern! This is such a great top and you can sew this for much less than buying a similar one in-store. My sewing friend, Debbie, showed me this pattern and I think this top turned out so great. It is elegant and so soft. It looks great on a variety of body types. The free pattern makes it simple to size this to the perfect fit so you can have one more piece of perfectly fitting clothing in your closet. I paired this cute top with a fun skirt I made, but you could pair this with a pair of dress pants and it would still look professional. I love making my own clothing and this top is one of my new favorites. I always get lots of compliments on it when I wear it and if you’re like me you’ll love telling people that you made it yourself.
This sassy top will be a fan favorite with its comfortable batwing sleeves and comfy fitted waistband. Perfect for every occasion, sewing this top is so easy and great for beginners. Gather up your supplies from the list below and let’s get started!
What You’ll Need:
- 3.25 Yards Of 60″ Wide Fabric – knits with 30-50% horizontal stretch or knits with some drape (double brushed poly, bamboo lycra, interlock, sweater knits)
- Matching Thread
- Dolman Top Free Pattern
- Iron
- Pins
- Scissors
- Optional Rotary Cutter & Mat
- Measuring tape
- Thread nippers
- Sewing machine
- Fabric marker
Size Chart:
| Imperial (inches) | Small | Medium | Large |
| Chest | 34 | 36 | 38 |
| Waist | 28 | 30 | 32 |
| Hip | 38 | 40 | 42 |
This dolman top pattern is drafted for a height of 5’ 4”- 5” 5”. This sewing project not in the size you are looking for? Then check out our tutorial on Pattern Grading.
Printing Instructions
This pattern has layers, so that you can choose to print only the size you need. To achieve this Adobe Reader must be installed on your machine or device. Adobe Reader allows you to click on the layers icon which will show you each size with an eyeball beside it. Click on the eyeball beside the size you do not want to print.
Before printing check that your printer is set to No scaling or Actual size. Set the Page orientation to Auto or Portrait. And then print page 1. Measure the 2” test square to see if it measures exactly 2”. If it does, print the remaining pages.
Trimming Pages
Cut off the right and top margins of each printed page before assembling the pattern. You can use tape or school glue to adhere your paper pattern together.
Pattern Assembly
After the pages have been printed and trimmed as instructed above, use the quarter circles located at the corner of each page for perfect alignment. When done your pattern should look like this:
Pattern Pieces Checklist
Once you have printed and assembled your pattern you will cut:
- Front Bodice – Cut on fold
- Back Bodice – Cut on fold
- Waistband – Cut 2 on fold
- Neck band – Cut 1 on fold
Seam Allowance
Use a 3/8” seam allowance unless otherwise instructed.
General Instructions
Where applicable, sew all knits with a stretch stitch such as a zigzag or a lightning stitch. Always use a ballpoint needle when sewing knits.
Finish all raw edges with a serger or zigzag stitch.
How To Make A Dolman Top With Free Pattern
The first step on this how to make a dolman top with free pattern sewing tutorial is to wash, dry, and iron your fabric. I prefer to do this on all my clothing sewing projects as this process acts like a preshrink treatment so that my stitches don’t pull out or get messed up the first time I wash this cute top. Once you have done that, use the included free printable pattern to cut out your fabric pieces according to the cut list above.
Pin the front and back bodice right sides together at the shoulders and side seams.
Sew at the shoulders and the side seams using a zigzag or another stretch stitch with a 3/8″ seam allowance.
Now on this dolman top tutorial, we will work on the waistband. Pin the waistband pieces right sides together at the short ends. Sew them together.
Fold the waistband over on itself wrong sides together.
Divide the waistband and the hem of the top into quarters.
With raw edges aligned pin the band to the bottom of the shirt and sew. You will need to stretch the waistband slightly to fit.
Next on this cute DIY dolman top sewing tutorial, fold the neckband in right sides together and sew the short end. Divide the neckband and the neck of the shirt into quarters.
Pin the neckband to the neckline of the shirt and align the quarter marks right sides together. Pin the seam of the neckband to a shoulder seam.
Sew them together using that same seam allowance.
Understitch the neckline of the shirt by folding the neckband seam allowance towards the neckband and sewing 1/8” from the seam line.
Fold the neckline to the wrong side of the shirt, pin, and sew in place using a 1/2” seam allowance.
Trim off the excess neckband fabric.
To finish off this dolman top sewing tutorial, double fold the hem of the sleeves by 3/8” and sew.
And that’s it! Now you know how to make a dolman top with free pattern!
If you liked learning how to make a dolman top with free pattern, make sure to pin it to your favorite Pinterest board or share it with friends on social media. If you decide to make this simple project on your own, make certain that you take a picture afterward and tag us on social media as we love seeing the fabrics and color choices that people use!
How To Make A Dolman Top With Free Pattern
Sew this elegant dolman top. Great for work or a date night. Easy to sew and looks great with anthing.
Materials
Tools
Instructions
- Print and assemble included free pattern. Use it to cut out fabric pieces.
- Pin the front and back bodice right sides together at the shoulders and side seams.
- Sew at the shoulders and the side seams.
- Pin the waistband pieces right sides together at the short ends. Sew.
- Fold the waistband over on itself wrong sides together.
- Divide the waistband and the hem of the top into quarters.
- With raw edges aligned pin the band to the bottom of the shirt and sew. You will need to stretch the waistband slightly to fit.
- Fold the neckband in right sides together and sew the short end. Divide the neckband and the neck of the shirt into quarters.
- Pin the neckband to the neckline of the shirt and align the quarter marks right sides together. Pin the seam of the neckband to a shoulder seam.
- Sew.
- Understitch the neckline of the shirt by folding the neckband seam allowance towards the neckband and sewing 1/8” from the seam line.
- Fold the neckline to the wrong side of the shirt, pin, and sew in place using a 1/2” seam allowance.
- Trim off the excess neckband fabric.
- Double fold the hem of the sleeves by 3/8” and sew.
- Enjoy!
When I try to bring up the free pattern I get a 404 message and a blank screen. Do you know the cause and how I could get around it?
Sorry you are having an issue I just tested the links in the post and all of them pull up the pdf pattern so not sure why you are having the issue