Craft Your Own Cool Tank Top

Tank tops are a staple in many people's wardrobes, and they can be easily made at home. Whether you want to modify an existing tank top or create one from a T-shirt, there are simple ways to do both. Since tank tops and T-shirts are made of stretchy jersey, they don't fray, meaning you don't need to hem them, making DIY tank tops an excellent project for crafters who don't know how to sew. There are several ways to make a tank top, including using a T-shirt, sewing, or cutting wider straps into thin double straps. You can also add your own creative touches, such as fringes, beads, or macramé.

Basic tank top sewing pattern

A basic tank top is a great garment to have in your wardrobe and can be made from scratch or by repurposing an old T-shirt. Here is a step-by-step guide to sewing a basic tank top.

Materials:

• Sewing machine (optional)
• Matching thread (optional)
• Knit fabric (e.g. cotton spandex rib knit, cotton spandex jersey, or rayon spandex blend)
• Bias tape (optional)
• Basic sewing supplies (scissors, pins, etc.)

Steps:

• Find a tank top that fits you well and use it as a template, or use a sewing pattern.
• Choose your fabric, ensuring it has good stretch and recovery. For a basic tank top, a medium-weight knit fabric is a good option.
• Cut out the front and back pattern pieces from your fabric, ensuring there is at least 50% stretch horizontally across the tank.
• Place the front and back pieces right sides together and stitch across the shoulders and down the side seams using a stretch stitch.
• If using bias tape, steam iron it into curves to match the neckline and armholes. Unfold the bias tape and stitch it to the back neck, front neckline, and arms to finish the raw edges.
• If not using bias tape, you can create knit bands for the neckline and armholes. Cut the bands shorter than the armscye and neckline, using the formula provided in the Melly Sews tutorial. Sew the bands to the garment, using a stretch stitch.
• Finish by turning the tank top right side out and trying it on.

Tips:

• If you are new to sewing, consider using an old T-shirt to practice before cutting into your chosen fabric.
• You can also make a basic tank top by cutting and altering an existing T-shirt. This is a good option if you don't have sewing equipment or want a quicker project.

With these steps and tips, you'll be well on your way to creating your own basic tank tops!

Racerback tank top

Materials:

• Fabric marker or chalk
• Jersey knit/ballpoint pins
• Old T-shirt
• Sewing machine
• Fabric scissors
• Dressmaker's shears
• Ballpoint pins
• Permanent fabric pen
• Non-slip ruler
• Ballpoint machine needles
• Thread
• Bias tape maker

Steps:

Step 1: Draw and Cut the Pattern

Draw a racerback shape onto your T-shirt with a fabric marker or chalk. Cut about 1/2 inch beyond the lines you drew (this extra 1/2 inch is your seam allowance).

Step 2: Sew the Sides and Straps

Pin and sew the sides and shoulders of the front and back pieces together, facing each other. Use a zigzag stitch on the half-inch seam allowance with a ballpoint needle. Trim the edges when finished.

Step 3: Finish the Outer Edges

Turn the tank top right side out. Make 1/4 inch snips along the front and back neckline and armholes. Fold and pin the fabric, then stitch along the armholes and neckline. Trim the seam allowance on the inside.

Step 4: Make the Bias Tape

Cut bias tape strips at a 45-degree angle between the selvage and fabric width. Insert the strips into the bias tape maker and iron them as they come out.

Step 5: Sew the Bias Tape

Fold and pin the tape along the edges of the armholes and neckline. Stitch the two sides together, leaving a 1/2 inch seam allowance at the end. Iron the bias tape when finished.

Step 6: Hem the Bottom

Fold, pin, and stitch a 1" hem on the inside of the tank top. Iron the hem for a polished finish.

DIY braided racerback

To make a DIY braided racerback tank top, you will need a t-shirt that is 1 to 2 sizes larger than your normal size. It is important to note that the shirt should not be fitted, otherwise, the racerback will turn out too small. The shirt can be blank or have a design in front, and its length should be at least as long as you want the racerback to be.

First, cut the sleeves off the shirt, starting 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) below the armpit and finishing just inside the top shoulder seam. Then, cut the back of the arm holes wider. Begin cutting at the armpit, scoop down 1⁄2 to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 cm), cut towards the center by about 2 inches (5.1 cm), and finish at the top of the original cut edge. Make sure you are only cutting through the back of the shirt. Trace and cut the same shape on the other armhole.

Next, cut the collar off at the stitching, starting from the left shoulder and working your way around the shirt. You can cut the front of the collar 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) below the stitching to make it larger. Then, cut across the back of the shirt, 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) below the collar, from the left armhole to the right armhole. This will separate the top of the shirt from the bottom.

Now, you can cut the corners off the back collar to make it more rounded and blend with the rest of the collar. You can also cut the bottom hem off your shirt if you want to complete the raw-edged look. Cut along the bottom hem, right at the stitching.

To make the braid, cut two vertical slits down the back of the shirt to create three equal-sized strands. Pull on each strand to make them longer and skinnier, and curl the cut edges of the fabric inwards. Braid the strands by crossing the outer ones over the middle one. Sew or glue the end of the braid to keep it together.

To attach the braid, first, fold the back collar in half to find the center. Pin the top of the braid to the center of the collar and try the shirt on. Adjust the length of the braid as needed. Sew or glue the braid to the center of the collar. Cut a 1 1⁄2 by 4-inch (3.8 by 10.2 cm) strip of fabric from one of the sleeves and wrap it around the top of the braid to conceal the stitching. Cut off the excess fabric and sew or glue it down.

Refashioning a T-shirt

Step 1: Choose a T-shirt

First, select a T-shirt that you are comfortable cutting up. If you want a fitted tank top, choose a fitted shirt. For a tank top with a fringe, opt for a longer T-shirt.

Step 2: Cut off the sleeves

Cut off the sleeves of the T-shirt, using the seams as a guide. Remember that sleeves are wider in the front than in the back, so cut through the shirt material rather than straight down the sleeves.

Step 3: Cut the armholes (optional)

If you want deeper armholes, cut further into the shirt, being careful not to cut too much into the front.

Step 4: Remove the collar

Cut off the collar, using the stitching as a guide. Cutting the collar while the shirt is flat may result in a tank top that is too deep at the back, so cut around the bottom edge of the collar instead.

Step 5: Shape the neckline (optional)

You can modify the front of the collar into a V-neck or scoop neck. For a consistent look, cut the back collar to match the front.

Step 6: Create a fringe (optional)

Fold the shirt in half lengthwise so that the shoulders match up. Cut a fringe, about 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) wide, into the bottom of the shirt. Make vertical slits about 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) apart, starting at the bottom hem and ending where you want the fringe to start. Cut through both layers of fabric if the material is thin enough; otherwise, cut the front first and then the back.

Step 7: Separate the fringe (optional)

Turn the shirt inside out and cut the side seams to separate the front and back fringe. Then, turn the shirt right-side out again. Skip this step if you did not add a fringe.

Step 8: Curl the cut edges

T-shirt fabric does not fray, so you don't need to hem your tank top. However, you can neaten the cut edges by gently tugging on them to make them curl inwards. Be careful not to pull too hard, or the edges may tear and unravel.

And that's it! You now have a stylish new tank top made from a refashioned T-shirt.

Cutting wider straps

To make wider straps for a DIY tank top, you can follow these steps:

First, choose a t-shirt that you are happy to cut up. Wash and dry the shirt if it is brand new, as fabric tends to shrink after the first wash. You will want the t-shirt to be the right size before you start working on it.

Next, turn the t-shirt inside out and place a tank top over it, aligning the shoulders. If you don't have a tank top to use as a template, you can simply cut the sleeves and collar off your t-shirt, perhaps folding the shirt in half first to ensure both sides are even.

Now, cut the t-shirt using the tank top's armholes and neckline as a guide. Leave a 1/2-inch (1.27 cm) seam allowance if you would like a finished hem around the armholes and neckline.

Once you have cut the t-shirt, unpin the tank top and put it away. Make sure the t-shirt is still inside out. At this point, you can cut the front neckline and armholes wider, if desired. Remember to leave a seam allowance if you plan on having finished hems.

Finally, fold the cut edges down by 1/2-inch (1.27 cm), pin them in place, and press them flat with an iron. You can then stitch the folded edges down using a sewing machine or by hand.

And there you have it—a DIY tank top with wider straps!

Frequently asked questions