Cut-Out Jersey Top Sewing Tutorial (Vikisews Kendall)

An easy, trendy cut-out top in jersey, from the Vikisews Kendall pattern. A step-by-step tutorial for beginners, with the tricks I needed for the bulky neckline.

Why sew the Vikisews Kendall top

It's a quick project with a trendy cut-out, and a good way to practise sewing jersey. Extend the top into a maxi dress and it becomes a real showstopper. The only tricky part is the thick neckline, and the video shows how I dealt with it.

My tips for sewing a cut-out jersey top

• The instructions ask for 1 cm silicone tape. If you don't have silicone tape, try a narrow elastic tape instead. The one I had was very thick.
• Stay-stitch the armholes before you start, so they don't stretch, and stretch the side seams slightly while pressing, so the back hugs the figure (it has no darts).
• No coverlock? A twin needle imitates a coverstitch hem. It's important that the pack says "Stretch", and pay attention to the number (3.0, 4.0 and so on): it's the distance between the two needles, in millimetres. Choose a smaller or bigger distance to your taste.
• The ends of the neckline are very bulky: slip a height compensator under the presser foot (no need for a fancy tool: a regular plastic needle box works just fine), reduce the presser foot pressure, and pull the strap gently from behind.
• I shortened the top (a 3 cm hem, 2 cm on the sleeves) and took 1 cm off the side seams after the fitting.

What I used for the Vikisews Kendall top

• Vikisews Kendall pattern
• Jersey fabric from Mike Tecidos, a fabric shop in Portugal
• Silicone tape: Vlieseline Framilastic, 9 mm Find it ↗
• Narrow elastic tape if you don't have silicone tape
• Twin needle for stretch fabrics if you don't have a coverlock; it must say Stretch, and the number is the gap between the needles (e.g. 4.0 = 4 mm), to your taste Find it ↗
• Height compensator for the bulky neckline, or a plastic needle box Find it ↗
• Janome 2030 DC sewing machine Find it ↗
• Singer Heavy Duty 4432 sewing machine Find it ↗
• Elna 664 PRO overlocker Find it ↗
• Bernina L 460 overlocker my second overlocker: I won it in a Vikisews sewing competition Find it ↗