Why is it Called a Boat Neck? How to Alter a Boat Neckline (Cut, Sew, Make It Smaller)

Inspired by a well-known actor or actress. It does happen when movie stars wear new trends, and the name of the movie or the star’s name is tied to the design of the clothing they wear. With Sabrina, Audrey Hepburn, and this neckline in particular, this neckline became synonymous.

Changing the neckline of a boat can be done by using a straight edge ruler and lining up the seam. Finally, add an extra inch to each shoulder seam by drawing an imaginary line that extends from one side to the other. For the most part, it’s a simple procedure that requires only a few minutes of your time.

Continue reading our post to find out more about the boat neckline and the name it has been given. That and more is included. If the alteration styles don’t work for you, spend a few minutes trying them out.

What is a Boat Neckline?

From the French navy came this neckline. It was designed to make it easier for French sailors to remove their shirts if they ended up in the water. France led the way in 1858 with this design, and other countries quickly followed suit.

When it comes to the collarbone, the boat neckline travels horizontally across both shoulders. Sweaters, shirts, and dresses, especially party dresses, all use this style to draw attention to specific characteristics.

However, you won’t find this pattern on many winter-appropriate garments. This design exposes too much of the neck and shoulder area of the body, and it will be significantly colder when the weather isn’t warm.

It’s a classy look that works well on just about any woman’s body type and is sure to attract the attention of any male onlookers you come across.

Why is it Called a Boat Neck?

There are a variety of explanations as to why it has been given this demeaning moniker. For one, the design is based on the French navy’s specifications. Thus, the connection to naval vessels. The French term for boat, bateau, is another name for this fabric design. Bateau has a more enchanting name than boat.

A boat’s hull design would fit the bill. The curving bottom may evoke images of a boat’s hull or even a massive ship’s hull. It’s not out of the ordinary to have such an outlook. It’s what some people imagine when they see the collar’s shape.

This neckline was popularized by Hollywood in the late 19th century. Before Audrey Hepburn wore it, Coco Chanel sported it in the 1930s. The film Sabrina, another name for this fashion design, certainly didn’t diminish its appeal and really increased it.

There was a time in the 1950s and 60s when beatnik culture began to employ this motif frequently in their apparel. Famous celebrities are continuing to wear the design, which is still a big hit in the fashion world today.

How to Alter a Boat Neckline

It’s a good thing that this design is so adaptable. The neckline of a second t-shirt was brought in roughly 3/4 of an inch by a single sewer. To see the T-shirt clearly, she lowered the front of the car by an inch and a half.

For those who like a more tailored boat neckline, there’s a lot of flexibility here. It’s up to you how much you change it. You can take the boat neckline as a starting point and then alter it to your heart’s content.

The neckline can be raised, lowered, or narrowed to suit your unique style. Measurement and other arithmetic skills will be required to ensure that you make the necessary adjustments. Depending on the new neckline you’d want, you’ll need to measure a different amount, etc.

Measure the shoulder seams using a ruler to ensure a proper fit.

How do I Make my Boat Neck Smaller?

To begin, a transparent quilting ruler would be helpful. 6 by 24 inches, and note where your neck is in relation to the edge of your neck and your bra straps.

After that, you can use the ruler to measure how much closer you need to get to the edge of the fabric in order to achieve a tighter collar. According to most individuals, the biggest region of your face should serve as a guide for how wide the collar should be.

However, you have complete freedom to come and go as you choose. Using a ruler, draw in the shoulder seams to the desired location. Once you’ve marked your design, you may start cutting.

Measure twice, cut once. Simple arithmetic errors can be avoided in this manner.

How to Cut a Boat Neckline

To begin, keep in mind that a boat neckline may be created from nearly any T-shirt pattern. The first step is to draw your t-shirt pattern and extend the CF line up to the shoulder.

Once this is done, measure 2 1/2 inches from the outside edge to determine where to place your shoulder seams and 3 inches from the point where your shoulders meet your neck. Aside from the size, it is possible to create it any length.

Third, use a French curve to create a new neckline in your pattern, which means no seam allowances are needed. Then, using the same measurements as on the front, duplicate the design on the back. Once again, design the new neckline with the French curve.

To ensure a neat cut edge, design your facing in pencil before you begin cutting. Use a rotary cutter or some good scissors to do the final cut, depending on what you have at hand. Before you begin cutting, there is a lot of preparatory work that has to be done.

Sew together the neckline and the facing once you’ve made the two cuts.

How to Sew a Boat Neckline

Sewing your fabric pieces together is the next step after cutting them out. Cut little cuts in the facing and the neckline to ensure a proper fit while sewing. When it’s time to sew them together, they’ll be much easier to align this way.

After aligning the parts, the shoulders will be sewn together. After that, you sew the shoulder seams of the facing to the shoulders of the boat neckline. ‘ The next step is to pin the right side of the boat neckline toward the right side of the facing right.

Before sewing the facing in place, double-check that the notches are aligned. After sewing the facing edge to the neckline, turn the material over the cut edge and put it in place using a slip stitch. Press the facing to the inside of the neckline to ensure a neat appearance.

When that’s done, fix the neckline with a beautiful cover or straight stitch. When sewing, start about a quarter of an inch from the edge, then finish with a cover stitch and clip away any extra.

A Little Guide to a Great Looking Neckline

Depending on your body type, you may not be able to wear every neckline. As long as you match these necklines to your body type, you don’t need to spend a fortune on the latest trends.

Necklines and body types that go well together are discussed in detail in the next section.

• Wide shoulders and small to medium busts go hand in hand with a crew neck.
• Pear-shaped women with slim shoulders and a small to medium breast look great in boat neck dresses.
• Small to medium breast; small to wide shoulders; athletic, curvaceous, or pear-shaped figures can wear button-up blouses.
• For women with large busts, wide shoulders, and a straight or hourglass figure, the halter style is for you!
• Small to large busts; athletic, pear, hourglass, and petite shapes; a shorter neck or decolletage. 5. Scoop neck:
• Women with small to large bust sizes and petite to apple-shaped bodies can wear the V-neck style with ease.
• Pear, athletic, petite, and hourglass-shaped women; slim or narrow shoulders; small to medium busts.

It’s important to know what to wear with these necklines in order to get the best results.

Some Final Words

However, if you wear the boat neck with the proper attire, it may be rather appealing and charming. When you wear it, you’ll look more like Audrey Hepburn than a French sailor.

Even though this neckline doesn’t always fit your particular style and fashion preferences, it’s a good idea to wear it because of this reason.