August 22, 2017
Curvy Sewing Education Week: Learn how to fix a gaping neckline
Hi everyone! First up today, I’m sharing a video from ourFitting for Curves online workshop.
Gaping necklines are a pretty common problem, and often one that’s hard to anticipate before you have a muslin. Sometimes, it just indicates that the garment is too big for you – check to see if the shoulders are falling off your shoulders, or the whole thing seems baggy, in which case you should start by going down a size.
However, sometimes, even if the rest of a garment fits, the neckline doesn’t. That can happen for a number of reasons: for instance, you might have a lower bust than the pattern is designed for, or the angle of your shoulder to bust is slightly different. But not to worry: fixing a gaping neckline is actually pretty easy. In this video from theFitting for Curves online workshopI show you how to diagnose a gaping neckline, how to fix it, and what it will look like after the alteration.
I hope you found that helpful! Do you have any other questions about fixing a gaping neckline?
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Debbie Cook says:August 22, 2017 at 9:42 am
Good video Jenny. And fun to hear your cute accent! (I know … YOU don’t think you have an accent!)
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- Saara says:
August 22, 2017 at 2:13 pm
Thank you for this video, it is very useful!
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- Dara Harper says:See Also10 Tops That Make You Look Thinner – Fashion DiaryFive Ways to Fix a Gaping NecklineNeckline Finishing - Bias piece, Facing, BindingHow to Keep a Wrap Dress Closed
August 23, 2017 at 4:11 am
Thank You “SEW” Much!😃
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- Val Clements says:
August 23, 2017 at 8:40 am
Very clear instructions for gaping neckline. I always have this problem with RTW. Thank you so much.
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- Claudia says:
August 23, 2017 at 9:27 am
Thank you so much for the mini tutorial. Now I can fix all my patterns the right way. I would just make a center seam down the whole front to fix the gapping in my tops and pull over dresses.
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- Michelle says:
November 14, 2017 at 3:27 pm
Thank you!
Is the navy dress you’re wearing in the blog title one of yours? I see it has bust and waist/skirt darts but I can’t pick the pattern 😊
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- Jenny Rushmore says:
November 14, 2017 at 3:45 pm
Hi Michelle – yes, it’s the Rivermont Dress! https://www.cashmerette.com/products/rivermont-dress-top-pdf-pattern
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- Sue Brown says:
August 27, 2018 at 1:52 pm
Thanks for that Jenny, that was very helpful. I’m making your Springfield top and I was going to cut a wedge out the centre back yoke and realised if I did that the pattern on my fabric wouldn’t have been straight when I sewed it up. One quick video and all has become clear. My other halves suggestion to the problem was to grow a hunch. He on the other hand is not very helpful !!!
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- Diana says:
October 23, 2018 at 5:23 pm
thank you so much for your advice, I’m going to try this next time
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- Leann says:
April 30, 2019 at 6:17 am
A HA! This is wonderful, I have one question …. is it ok to let the bust dart stay larger? It wont affect the fit?
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- Kim Bee says:
May 5, 2019 at 4:10 pm
Hello!
I just made for the first time the concord t-shirt but I ended up with a huge gap behind my neck of almost 15cms. (First time ever that my breast was not the issue!!!) I am uncertain if next time i make it i need a smaller size for the back piece or how to adjust the pattern. I used a size 18 G cup for the front and a size 18 at the back. Thank you in advance!!!Reply
- Kathey N Hunter says:
August 3, 2019 at 10:04 am
I am making the Montrose top and made this gaping neckline adjustment. It appears to me that the angle of the shoulder has moved in toward the neck slightly, does this affect the seaming of the front to back shoulder?
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- Ayelet says:
August 12, 2019 at 12:12 pm
Hi Kathey,
Yes, the slight change in the angle of the shoulder is necessary for fixing the gaping.
-Ayelet at Cashmerette
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- Kathey Hunter says:
August 12, 2019 at 1:07 pm
So what do I do about the back neckline to get them to match? The same type of adjustment? I also did a 1″ broad back adjustment, so do I just redraw the back neckline/shoulder to match the front?
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- Vicki McKernan says:
August 29, 2019 at 6:07 am
Your detailed instructions make these wonderful tutorials. Thank you!
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- Iris says:
August 1, 2021 at 8:50 am
I am new to making my tops, the neck was always a problem but not any moor thanks to your expert advice.
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- Suzie says:
May 12, 2022 at 4:02 pm
I am making the Springfield top, size 16GH, graded to an 18. I needed to make a 1 inch gap adjustment, which fit beautifully. But now, my dart is too big! How can I fix this? (It’s really baggy from mid point to tip.)
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- Jenny Rushmore says:
May 16, 2022 at 10:27 am
Hi Suzie – the best bet is to split the dart! There’s a section on that in Ahead of the Curve, or you can try this tutorial: https://sewbusty.com/2021/07/14/community-blog-sewing-perfect-darts-for-you-on-the-roseclair-dress-with-christy/
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- Andrea says:
June 17, 2023 at 3:53 pm
Just saying. I always had that problem and get that fixed easily without increasing the bust dart. i just pinch the excess of fabric like you just did in the video and going to nothing towards the point of the bust dart or the apex. I replicate that “dart” on my pattern and retrace the curve of the neckline. Voila. That easy fix always worked well for me.
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Saara 
Dara Harper 
Val Clements 
Claudia 
Michelle 
Sue Brown 
Diana 
Leann 
Kathey N Hunter 
Ayelet 
Vicki McKernan 
Iris 
Suzie 
Andrea 