It’s no secret that I love sewing with knits. I actually find them easier than a lot of wovens to work with. And they’re such a comfy, every day option. There are many ways to finish a knit neckline, but my favorite is a neckband made from the same fabric as the shirt or dress. This is such an easy and fast method and the results are gorgeous!

a close up of half of a knit neckband sewn with white serging

the top of a knit shirt hanging against a beige wall displaying a beautiful neckband

Instructions

First, you need to sew the shoulder seams of your shirt. For knit tops I usually just serge all my seams. It’s literally so fast!

the top portion of a blue kit top with the shoulder seams serger with white thread

Next, cut a rectangle for your neckband.

NOTE: all seam allowances in the measurements below are 1/4 inch because that is the width the serger sews at. If using a zigzag on a sewing machine, you can sew it with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

You can draft your own neckband by measuring the neckline of your shirt, then subtracting an inch from it. I find that subtracting an inch works well for t shirt neckbands. If your neckline is quite wide, you may need to subtract a bit more than an inch. This measurement will be the length of your neckband. Then decide how wide of a neckband you want, then double the number and add 1/2 inch. I decided on a 1 inch wide neckband; so the width I cut was 2.5 inches (1 inch+1 inch+1/2 inch). Here is a visual representation of how to cut your neckband for all you visual learners out there:

measurements to make a knit neckband

Now sew the short ends of the neckband together (right sides touching) to form a loop.

the short ends of the rectangle neckband are serged to form a loop

Next, press the seam allowance to one side, then press the neckband in half lengthwise with wrong sides together.

blue knit neckband pressed in half lengthwise to form a pretty neckband with the bottom edge still open

Place four equally spaced pins in the neckband, starting with a pin at the seam (which will be the center back of the neckband.

neckband shown laid flat in an oval shape to show four equally spaced pins

Next, place four equally spaced pins around the neckline of the shirt; starting with the first pin at the center back. Just remember, the pins may not line up with the shoulder seams: this is completely fine, it just means the front neckline is a different length than the back neckline.

equally spaced pins in the neckline of the shirt

Then pin the neckband to the RIGHT side of the neckline, lining up the pins (make sure the seam in the neckband lines up with the center back of the shirt). Just line up the pins and re-pin where they meet.

neckband pinned to right side of the shirt neckline

Now you can just take it to your serger (or sewing machine) and sew the neckband to the shirt, stretching between the pins so that the neckband fits the shirt. This will allow for a nice snug fit with no gaping.

neckband serged to shirt neckline with white thread

Then iron the neckband up, pressing the seam allowance down. And you’re done! Easy!

beautiful neckband sewn on a blue knit top

 

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pinterest graphic showing sewing a knit neckbandhow to sew a neckband graphic