Necklines

Lesson card: necklines

• Round (jewel) neckline: follows the base of the neck; simple and classic. In a non-stretch fabric it usually needs an opening or a zip so the head can pass through.
• V and scoop necklines: open up a vertical space on the chest, which makes the neck look longer.
• Square and sweetheart: a square neckline has straight lines and corners that need precise clipping; a sweetheart has two curves meeting at the centre and is popular for evening and wedding dresses.
• Boat and off-the-shoulder: a boat (bateau) neckline is wide and shallow from shoulder to shoulder; an off-the-shoulder (Bardot) neckline sits below the shoulders. Both emphasise the width of the shoulders and the collarbones.
• Halter and cowl: a halter ties or fastens behind the neck and leaves the shoulders bare; a cowl has soft draped folds and is usually cut on the bias.
• Sewing: staystitching straight after cutting stops the curve stretching; the neckline is then finished with a facing or bias binding, the seam allowance is clipped, and understitching stops the facing rolling to the outside.