Batwing top – Free sewing pattern download PDF #UP1046

This batwing top features three-quarter sleeves and a relaxed, voluminous fit, making it a stylish and comfy addition to any wardrobe. Its simple design is suitable with a wide range of knits, whether in solid colors or fun prints. Perfect for beginners, it’s an easy and enjoyable sewing project that results in a versatile, flattering top.

Download the FREE PDF sewing pattern, and sew your own handmade top now!

1 cm (3/8″) seam allowance included!

Material

1.4 m (1 5/8 yd) 4-way stretch jersey or interlock with spandex (60% stretch)
All-purpose thread
Stretch or ballpoint needle

PLEASE NOTE! Fabric requirements are based on a width of 150 cm (59″). If your fabric is narrower, you may need more fabric!

Download the free PDF sewing pattern…

… and once you’re done, share a photo of you wearing proudly your new handmade top with #unfetteredpatterns or tag us @unfetteredpatterns!

UP1046-A4-Letter_compressed Download

Need help to print your pattern? Check our detailed tutorial here! Also, find out how you can customize your pattern for A0 printers and projectors here.

Need help completing the project?

Check our Kofi store for printable sewing tutorials, including detailed sewing instructions, line sketches, a sizing guide, and a list of the materials needed!

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Sizing Guide

This pattern is drafted according to the following body measurements. Standard height is 1.64 m (5.4 ft). Check this tutorial if you want to add sizes to your pattern!

	XS	S	S/M	M	M/L	L	XL
Bust	85 cm (33 1/2″)	89 cm (35″)	93 cm (36 1/2″)	97 cm (38″)	101 cm (39 1/2″)	105 cm (41″)	109 cm (42 1/2″)
Waist	64 cm (25 1/2″)	68 cm (27″)	72 cm (28 1/2″)	76 cm (30″)	80 cm (31 1/2″)	84 cm (33″)	88 cm (34 1/2″)
Hips	92 cm (36 1/2″)	96 cm (38″)	100 cm (39 1/2″)	104 cm (41″)	108 cm (42 1/2″)	112 cm (44″)	116 cm (45 1/2″)

Finished garment measurements

Negative ease is included in the measurements below to make the garment smaller than the body.

	XS	S	S/M	M	M/L	L	XL
Bust	92 cm (36 1/2″)	96 cm (38″)	100 cm (39 1/2″)	104 cm (41″)	108 cm (42 1/2″)	112 cm (44″)	116 cm (45 1/2″)
Hips	81.5 cm (32 1/4″)	85.5 cm (33 3/4″)	89.5 cm (35 1/4″)	93.5 cm (36 3/4″)	97.5 cm (38 1/4″)	101.5 cm (39 3/4″)	105.5 cm (41 1/4″)
Length	57 cm (22 1/2″)	58 cm (22 7/8″)	59 cm (23 1/4″)	60 cm (23 5/8″)	61 cm (24″)	62 cm (24 3/8″)	63 cm (24 3/4″)

Sewing Notes

Here are some tips we recommend for a successful sewing project:

Fit and style

Start by choosing a size with your bust. Refer to the body measurements chart. Then, if needed, you may want to widen or narrow the pattern at the hips if your hips correspond to another size. However, be sure to check the finished garment measurements. Note that the hips measurement of this top has negative ease, so it’s normal that the measurement is smaller than your hips.
On the finished garment measurements chart, you can also check the length of the garment and see if it’s suitable for your height. You may want to compare the length with a similar piece of clothing. The finished length should be slightly above the hip.
If you need to shorten or lengthen the garment to achieve this look, slash the pattern above the bottom edge of the garment. Slash perpendicularly to the grainline, and spread to add length, or overlap to shorten. When you spread the pattern, fill in the gap with scraps of paper. Tape everything back in place.
Adjust also the sleeve in the same manner by adding a line parallel to the sleeve hemline. The amount to adjust should be similar to the body.

Fabrics

4-way stretch means that the fabric can stretch both lengthwise and crosswise.
Be sure that your fabric has the correct amount of stretch. For this style, we recommend 60% stretch, which means that a section of 10 cm (4″) can be stretched to 16 cm (6 3/8″) without a problem. If you feel any tension in the fabric before you reach the measurement, it means that your fabric doesn’t stretch enough.
On another note, if you notice that it doesn’t spring back to its original shape once you’ve stretched it, your fabric might not have a good recovery. This means that you might end up with a lot of wavy seams and a garment that is 3-4 sizes up at the end of the day. To help with this problem, be sure to use a knit with spandex (or Lycra).

Cutting out

Preshrink the fabric before you start cutting it out. To do so, wash and dry the same way you would with the finished garment. This means you should also take into account the fabric type and its content.
Once the fabric is washed and dried, press it to remove all the creases. Be sure that you’ve set your iron to a temperature that is suitable to the fabric. As a rule of thumb, synthetic fibers (acrylic, spandex, polyester…) should be pressed at low heat, and natural fibers (cotton, wool, linen…) should be pressed at high heat.
When you’re ready to cut into the fabric, fold it lengthwise, right sides together. The fold should not twist and lay flat. If it’s twisting, unfold and fold again, until it lays flat. Then, place the pattern pieces so that the grainline is parallel to the selvages.
Be sure that you don’t cut the notches too much, they should be about 0.3-0.4 cm long (1/8″).

Sewing

If you’re using a sewing machine, be sure that it’s equipped with a stretch needle. A stretch needle has a rounder tip that prevents snags. If your machine is skipping stitches, the size of the needle may be too small, so be sure to have an assortment of needles with varying sizes.
If your seams are very wavy, you might want to check for a walking presser foot for your sewing machine. On an overlocker, check to increase the differential or the stitch length.
When you press your seams, press one section at a time, lifting the iron when going from one section to another. If you let the iron glide over the fabric, you might stretch out the seam.
If the seams crack when stretched, be sure that you used a stretch stitch, and that the thread is all-purpose polyester, not 100% cotton. You may also reduce the thread tension. On an overlocker, reduce the tension of the needles, not the loopers, and reduce the differential or stitch length.

Good luck with your sewing project!

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