Making my 1970s halter neck top;

To start with I took a halter neck I already owned and a pattern I wanted to replicate , in order to use it as a template for the top. I decided i wanted to do more of a twist , however, and give it a handkerchief hem rather than a normal straight length. 

Here was the template i used : 

I then began by sourcing my fabric , I repurposed an old satin dress with ribbons I could use for the straps as a way of cutting down on fabric cost and clothing waste. 

I then used chalk to trace the outline of the halter neck top to gather an idea of what size and where to cut, this left me with three triangles, two for each cup of the top and one for the handkerchief hem. 

I then sewed the two top triangles together by overlapping and cinching the bottom of each to give more of a cup shape for the top. The ribbons I cut so they were already attached to the top and saved me sewing them on. 

I then used the third triangle for the bottom of the top and sewed it to the two cups. I chose to make it a handkerchief so less fabric was used , and sewing, but when worn with a jacket and high waisted jeans as typical of the 70s, it would give an illusion of fitting like a normal top. 

I then had to make the band for the back of the top which would be zip together to hold both sides. As you can see in the picture , I had difficulties working with the satin as it would fray easily. I solved this by individually cutting each loose thread off as sewing up the bottom of the fabric would ruin the satin. 

Here is where I attached the zip, I had taken it off of the original dress I used the material from which is why it suits so well, and saved me from having to attach the zip myself. This worked well in doing up the back of the top. 

Here is the finished product, very reminiscent of 70s showgirls or party girls.