Gone Batty Top :: A Halloween Freebie!

Halloween is my favorite holiday ever.  EVER.  It’s so fun and kitchy and full of creativity.  All the best things, right?

I’ve been seeing ads for these batwing shirts floating around and I NEEDED one.  And since we love to give our P4P family fun freebies, we thought this would be the perfect thing to help you create this Halloween.  It’s totally wearable as just a fun, festive top.  Or you could use it as a last minute costume idea.  Either way, I hope you love it!

Want to make this top for yourself?

Go grab yourself a copy of the Gone Batty Top (for FREE!!) and then come back and learn how to make your own.

This pattern is a “one size fits most” adult pattern.  It’s a circle top with some added details and the measurements are based upon your high hip.

**Want to learn more about how to measure yourself for this pattern?  We’ve got you covered with an in-depth blog HERE.  And in case you’re new to Patterns for Pirates and PDF patterns in general, we have a great blog full of new user tips HERE to help you get started!  And, as with all of our current releases and updates, the pdfs can be found in Letter, A4 and A0 sizes.

Recommended fabrics: Practically any knit fabric with at least a 20% stretch will do!  Cotton lycra, poly/rayon blends, dbp, ity, etc.
Note: Due to the style of the curved “bat wings”, I’ve left the edges raw and unhemmed.  You’re welcome to hem if you’d like, I simply chose not to with this top style.

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Supplies needed:

Main Fabric: 1-5/8 yard
Neckband: cut piece 2″L x 19″W (pattern piece also provided)

Step 1: Cut out the bodice piece.  You will be cutting on a double fold.  First, folding selvedge edge to selvedge edge.  And then folding down lengthwise.
**If you’re wanting to skip printing all of the pages, print only page 8 and use the cut-out pieces provided.

When using the cut-out pieces, measure 25″ from the neckline cutout.

Keeping your bodice piece folded, take the “Bat Wing” cut-out and remove the shape from the bottom hem four times, beginning with the bottom corner and working your way toward the second folded edge.

Step 2: Sew your side seam.

— Take your “high hip measurement” and divide by 4.
— Open up your top, so the stretch is going width-wise but it remains folded at the top.
— Find your center line, and measure your high-hip/4 measurement.
— Using a stretch stitch: sew a 12″ line, slightly angled toward the neck opening.  Repeat for the opposite side.

Step 3: Stitch your “bat wings”.
This step is totally optional, but highly recommended.  It allows for your “wings” to stay together nicely.

Starting at your side seam, edge stitch the “bat wings” together, ending at the second to last point.  Repeat for the other side.

Step 4: Add the neckband.  (If you struggle with neckband installation, here’s a super helpful blog with videos!)

— Fold your neckband piece, right sides together, meeting the short ends together.

— Using 1/2″ seam allowance, stitch short ends.

— With wrong sides together, fold the raw edges together to meet each other.  Mark 1/4 points of raw edges.

— Mark the 1/4 points on the bodice piece.

—  Slide the neckband over the bodice, aligning the raw edges and matching the quarter-marked points.  Note: The neckband is slightly smaller than the bodice.  Stitch, using 1/2″ seam allowance.

— Flip neckband up and enjoy your new batty top!

As always, we love when you share what you’ve made with us.  Head over to the Patterns for Pirates Facebook group and show us how bat shirt crazy you’ve become with our Gone Batty Top!