DIY simple woven top

I hacked the Peppermint Bardon Dress pattern into a DIY top, and I’m in love with the result! Every wardrobe needs a simple woven top, and the Peppermint pattern is just great – it’s an easy and quick sewing project, totally beginner-friendly, and is available for free in 12 sizes.

The banded hem adds a nice finishing touch to this DIY simple woven top and a welcome bit of extra weight.

The Peppermint Bardon Dress is easy to wear, throw-on style, featuring a semi-fitted bodice and a tiered skirt. Download the pattern and instructions

To make my tank top, I hacked the dress pattern and did the following:

I made a size B, which corresponds to my typical measurements, and I cut only the bodice pattern (did not change its length). I got each of these simple tops out of only a 1/2 yard of fabric. For the beige top, I used cotton fabric; I made the blue one with chambray.
I had to adjust the darts to make them fit me – I raised them by 1″ (check this tutorial to learn more about adjusting the darts)
Then, I decided to add a banded hem.

DIY simple woven top – How to add a banded hem

So, I cut two band pieces, both the same width as my tank top but double the desired length. My bands were 5″ long.

I stitched the two bands together down the short side seams, folded the tube in half lengthwise with the wrong sides together, and pressed it well with an iron.

After that, I placed the folded band over the bottom edge of my top, with the right sides together.

I stitched them together, pressed the seam allowance towards the top, and topstitched 1/4″ away from the seamline.