sunnyswingtee-page-0 photo 4 (7) photo 4 (8)

I am so thrilled with how this top turned out. The A-line shape is so flattering, and I’l take a stripe and floral combo any day. I am even more excited to share my original pattern with you!! The pattern is available as a free download, but it is currently only in a size small.

PRINTING INSTRUCTIONS:
Most programs will automatically shrink or scale a PDF to print within your printer’s printable regions. It’s IMPORTANT that you set the scale option to 100%. If your printer does remove a small border when scaled to 100%, it’s easy to fill in the few missing gaps with a pen or pencil.
FREE DOWNLOADABLE PATTERNSunny Swing Tee Pattern

This tee is SO incredibly easy to make. Here’s how I made it:

First, you will need fabric.

The amount of fabric you need for the front center panel depends on the direction the pattern runs on your fabric; it will need to be at least 26″ long. I bought 3/4 of a yard for the length. The fabric I used is Meadow Vale Dark by Leah Duncan.

For the Rest of the top, pick a knit fabric that you like. I used a white and navy ponte de roma knit from Girl Charlee.  (It is currently sold out, but you can easily find this stripe pattern elsewhere). You will need about 1 1/2 yards.

Step 1: Cut out your fabric!

Step 2: I used a 1/2″ seam allowance, ball point needle and zig zag stitch. Sew the front bodice together with the front center panel and two front side panel pieces. Right sides together.

photo 1 (20)

Trim and iron your seams. When you’re finished it should look like this:

photo 2 (19)

Step 3: Sew the front and back bodice pieces together at the shoulder seams. Right sides together. Trim and iron seams.

photo 3 (15)

Step 4: Insert sleeves. Note the corners pictured below indicated by the yellow pins. This is where you will want to pin your sleeves at each end.

photo 4 (12)

But first, we need to hem our sleeves.

photo 2 (18)

Now pin your sleeve into place, make sure the center and outside edges are aligned first. It will look like this:

photo 3 (14)

Sew. Once you are finished, it should look like this:

photo 4 (11)

Step 5: Sew up the side seams. You’re going to sew from the bottom of the shirt to the underarm of the sleeve in one continuous seam.

photo 1 (18)

photo 2 (17)

Iron out your seams.

Step 6: Finish the neckline. First, fold your neckline facing in half and iron. Then pin the two ends together and sew.

photo 4 (10)

Then pin your facing to the neckline, right sides together. Sew. Trim and iron. When you’re done, it will look like this:

photo 2 (16)

photo 1 (17)

Step 7: Hem the bottom of your shirt. You’re done!! I would love to see your Sunny Swing Tees!!

Please share using: #sunnyswingtee

photo 3 (10)

The Sunny Swing Tee has been featured by Lindsey McLaughlin. Make sure to check out her awesome blog!

49 responses to “The Sunny Swing Tee Sewing Tutorial + Free Pattern”

  1. […] any day. I am thrilled to be sharing a pattern of mine for the first time ever. Head over to The Sara Project for a free download. […]

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  2. Karen Koenigs Avatar
    Karen Koenigs

    I can’t believe that so much talent can come from one family ! I have 3 seeing machines and don’t know how to use one. Id totally make this of I could.

    Like

    1. Judy Applestein Avatar
      Judy Applestein

      Of course you can. Keep it very slow. Follow these directions and you can make your own top. Be sure you are usung the right size pattern.

      Like

  3. Natalie @ Life Made Simple Avatar

    Love this!!! You’re amazing. I seriously need to step up my sewing game 🙂

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    1. The Sara Project Avatar

      You are too nice, my mouth waters when I see all of your yummy treats– amazing talent!

      Like

  4. Jen moison Avatar

    Thank you so much for the pattern and tutorial. It was clear and easy to follow. I am committed to sewing all my clothes this year and your sunny swing t was my first pattern and a success!
    Jen

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    1. The Sara Project Avatar

      Oh yay!! This makes me so happy!! I would love to see how it turned out! 🙂

      Like

  5. Tish Avatar
    Tish

    So so pretty! The stripe and floral are perfect together. Good job! Thank you.

    Like

  6. lhunt Avatar
    lhunt

    I love this Tee. I would love to purchase an XL or L if available. Please leg me know !!

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  7. C is for C. Wonder Seamed Stripes Swing Tee | Life by Ky Avatar

    […] used this free Sunny Swing Tee pattern & tutorial from Sara of The Sara […]

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  8. Kathy Avatar
    Kathy

    I would love this pattern in a size large, is it available yet?

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    1. The Sara Project Avatar

      I’m sorry, I haven’t gotten to it yet! I currently don’t have the time to make this pattern in other sizes, hopefully sometime in the near future! I’m sorry!

      Like

  9. honeyjoe Avatar

    Such a cute top! Thanks so much for your generosity in sharing the pattern–can’t wait to make it!

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  10. bibi Avatar
    bibi

    very beautiful!!!! it is size small?

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    1. The Sara Project Avatar
  11. Nea Avatar

    Super cute! Thanks for your generous sharing-

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  12. Amber Avatar
    Amber

    Cute! What type of fabric is the floral material?

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    1. The Sara Project Avatar

      It’s just a cotton! 🙂 Any woven fabric will do!

      Like

  13. […] comfortable too with a loose and flowy fit. First take a look at The Sara Project for lots of fun, free tutorials, DIY ideas and […]

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  14. […] comfortable too with a loose and flowy fit. First take a look at The Sara Project for lots of fun, free tutorials, DIY ideas and […]

    Like

  15. […] found a FREE pattern on Pinterest for a swing t-shirt (Check it out here!) but I have been putting off giving it a try, not knowing what my body is planning on doing. Last […]

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  16. […] Sara Project has the Sunny Swing Tee free sewing pattern and follow-along tutorial. This is a gorgeous loose t-shirt with a feature […]

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  17. Jaimie Avatar
    Jaimie

    Does the pattern include a 1/2″ seam allowance or did you add a 1/2″ Sean allowance? Thank you!

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    1. The Sara Project Avatar

      A 1/2″ seam allowance is included on the pattern 😀

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Julianne Avatar
    Julianne

    I was thinking about inserting a hidden zipper along the seam where the panel meets the sides to make this a ‘nursing’ shirt. I’ve never tried sewing a zipper into a knit. Is it hard?

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    1. The Sara Project Avatar

      I have never seen a zipper onto a knit either!! I bet it wouldn’t be too hard? I would YouTube it! I found this just taking two seconds to search: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yRxttOEA7V0
      Hope this helps! 😀

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sweet Sandals Avatar

        I had the same thought, only using plastic KamSnaps, but not for nursing. I need it to open for radiation therapy to kill the breast cancer cells that may be lingering. They normally don’t allow you to be covered on top at all, but I intend to preserve as much modesty as I can! I just hope I can enlarge your wonderful pattern because it will involve standing, and I’m in a wheelchair for two more months after breaking my leg! I love this pattern, and I thank you gratefully for giving it away! We women do sometimes need to get help from others when real life gets ugly! Thanks, from another Bernina owner of 30 years.

        Like

  19. Josie Avatar
    Josie

    Hi! Thanks so much for the pattern. I made it with a satin I found at the thrift store instead of a knit and did a slit in the back with a button loop so I could still get it on over my head 🙂 Hopefully this link works for a pic: https://goo.gl/photos/GLJkiwTDXMKv27M59

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    1. The Sara Project Avatar

      Love your variation so much! Thanks for sharing!!

      Like

  20. The Monthly Stitch Avatar

    […] a tee that I knew fit well (made one other time as a tee HERE), and lengthened it. It’s the Sunny Swing Tee pattern from The Sara Project… an awesome little free pattern if you haven’t seen it! I […]

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  21. Catching Up… July Makes! | Life by Ky Avatar

    […] used a tee that I knew fit well (made one other time as a tee HERE), and lengthened it. It’s the Sunny Swing Tee pattern from The Sara Project… an awesome little free pattern if you haven’t seen it! I love […]

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  22. […] Get the free pattern and tutorial for the tee here. […]

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  23. Val Avatar
    Val

    What size would the small be, 6 to 8?

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    1. The Sara Project Avatar

      Its probably closer to a 2-4!

      Like

  24. […] Find this awesome Tutorial Here! […]

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  25. […] The Sunny Swing Tee Free Pattern is for an A-Line tee and is available in size S.  This cute pattern was published in the blog The Sara Project […]

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  26. Pamela McCandless Avatar
    Pamela McCandless

    I noticed over the two years since the pattern was released, several comments are made for the larger sizes being added. Any plans to add them in the new year? I am just starting to learn grading, to get it from a size 2-4 to a busty 18-20 or XL/XXL, I am just trying to figure out.
    Adding measurements to the tutorial would be really helpful.
    Thanks for the share.

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    1. The Sara Project Avatar

      Hi Pamela! As of right now I do not have immediate plans to grade this pattern. I’m not very familiar with grading at the moment but it’s definitely something I want to learn more about! I apologize that I won’t have this available in the near future! Thanks for reaching out!

      Like

  27. Åsa Maria Borg Avatar

    LOVE the pattern combo 😍 Beautiful t-shirt!!

    Like

  28. Clarissa Avatar
    Clarissa

    Is this pattern going to be available in a size large eventually?

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    1. The Sara Project Avatar

      Hi Clarissa! I won’t be grading this pattern into larger sizes, I’m sorry for the inconvenience!

      Like

  29. […] The Sunny Swing Tee Sewing Tutorial + Free Pattern […]

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  30. LAURA Avatar
    LAURA

    About to give it a bash

    Like

  31. John Steinbecher Avatar
    John Steinbecher

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  32. Katarina Avatar
    Katarina

    Thanks for the great tutorial and pattern! Would it work for a woven instead of a knit?

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  33. Gift Avatar
    Gift

    Wow, very lovely. My dream is to know how to sew beautiful clothes like this. You’re good.great work. I wish i can sew like this.

    Like

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Welcome to The Sara Project! This is my space for sharing all things sewing. I primarily focus on garment sewing in this space, with a few other fun things popping up here and there. Join me in pattern reviews and sewing tips! Happy sewing!

I’m Sara.

I’m just a girl who loves to sew! I studied clothing construction at BYU, and loved every minute of it. I started sewing my own wardrobe shortly after my second child was born back in 2015, and I haven’t looked back since. Sewing is my outlet for creativity, and mindfulness amidst the craziness of life and raising my 4 kiddos.

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