Draped Open Back Shell
Sleeveless with a draped open back
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A close-fitting sleeveless top in fluid jersey. At the front, a soft fold of fabric rolls over a high neckline. At the back, the top is cut away in a deep U, and the same drape runs down both sides of the opening and hangs in a loop across the middle of the back.
Pattern specification
- Size range
- XS–XXL
- Skill level
- Confident beginner
- Recommended fabric
- A fluid, stretchy jersey with a little elastane, such as cupro, viscose or modal jersey. Avoid anything crisp or spongy, or the drape will not fall into soft folds.
- Colours shown
- Grey
- Yardage
- At 150 cm wide: 0.80 m for XS and S, 1.20 m for M and L, 1.25 m for XL and XXL. At 140 cm wide: 1.10 m, 1.20 m and 1.35 m. Allow 20 cm more for a fabric with a directional sheen.
- Notions required
- None. A twin stretch needle or a narrow zigzag for the topstitching and hem.
- Stretch required
- Across the width, 10 cm should pull out to at least 14 cm and spring back.
- Seam allowance
- 0.8 cm at the neckline and armholes. 1 cm on the shoulder and side seams and the drape. Hem 1.6 cm, turned once.
- Format
- PDF, to print at home or at a copy shop
Size chart
| Size | Chest | Waist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 14.1 / 35.8 | 12.5 / 31.8 | 22.1 / 56.1 |
| S | 15.1 / 38.3 | 13.5 / 34.3 | 22.4 / 57.0 |
| M | 16.1 / 40.8 | 14.5 / 36.8 | 22.8 / 58.0 |
| L | 17.0 / 43.3 | 15.5 / 39.3 | 23.2 / 59.0 |
| XL | 18.2 / 46.3 | 16.6 / 42.3 | 23.6 / 60.0 |
| XXL | 19.8 / 50.3 | 18.2 / 46.3 | 24.0 / 61.0 |
Finished garment, measured flat. Chest and waist are half the measurement all the way round; the waist is the narrowest point, 17 cm below the underarm. Length is from the shoulder to the hem. Inches / centimetres.
Key details
- The drape is one double-layer band that goes all the way round the neckline. Behind the shoulders it is a little longer than the neckline, which is what makes it hang in a loop at the back.
- The neckline and armholes are bound on the inside, so no binding shows from the outside.
- Fits closely, with the finished chest about 6% smaller than the body. It suits a bust of about 76, 81, 87, 92, 98 and 107 cm, XS to XXL. Between sizes, or in a jersey with less stretch, take the larger.
- The open back is 28.6 cm deep from the shoulder at XS and 31.1 cm at XXL.
- The drape panel and the neckline binding for every size are on the XS layer. If you print only your size, keep the XS layer switched on.
Pattern pieces
- Front (cut 1, on the fold)
- Back (cut 1)
- Drape panel (cut 2, on the fold)
- Neckline binding (cut 1)
- Armhole binding (cut 2)
In the download
- A0 copy-shop file, 1 page
- US Letter / A4 print file, 20 pages
- Construction workflow, 14 pages
This is a digital pattern. Nothing ships. Your download link is emailed the moment you check out, and stays in your order confirmation.
Licensed for personal use only. Files may not be resold, redistributed, shared or used for commercial production without written permission from Kissing Parasites.
