I am back today with another simple hack for the Rio pattern. Today I am going to show you how to create a scoop neck version of the pattern instead of the crew neck style that it comes with.
To create this pattern you are going to make adjustments to the main front and back pieces and also the neckband. The sleeve and sleeve band pattern pieces will not be changed at all.
First take the back pattern piece. You are going to want to widen the neck opening a bit so we will make the shoulder seam shorter. I decided to take 1" off of the neck edge of the shoulder seam. This is on a size 8. You may want to make it a bit more or less depending on your size and the look you are going for.
Now draw a nice curved line back to the original back neck cut line. Be sure that the line that intersects with the shoulder seam is at a 90 degree angle. Trim your neck back neckline.
Just like you did on the back, make a mark 1" (or whatever measurement you decided on) on the shoulder seam closest to the neckline.
Make another mark down the center front that will be for the depth of the scoop. I decided to mark 4" down for this one. Next time I may increase that a bit, but this is personal preference.
Now, connect the two markings with a nice curved line, making sure that the beginning and end are perpendicular to the CF and shoulder seam.
Cut along your new neckline.
Measure your new front neckline and your new back neckline. Add them together, multiple by 2 and subtract 3/4" for seam allowance (because of the way the Rio in constructed we only need to account for the front and back shoulder seam allowance of one shoulder seam). Then multiple this number by 70% (.7). This will be the new neckband length. Here is an example.
Back Neck (4.6") + Front Neck (10") = 14.6" x 2 = 29.2 - Seam Allowance (.75") = 28.45 x .7 = 19.92"
So I will cut my neckband as the same width as the original pattern but the length with be about 20".
Now cut out all of your pattern pieces and sew it up.
The construction does not change at all from the original instructions.
That is it. I am so happy with the way this hack turned out. I already am planning to make a few more for easy summer wardrobe essentials. If you want to purchase the Rio pattern you can do so here.
