The Ultimate Guide To Wearing Tank Tops

Tank tops are a staple in many people's wardrobes, and they can be made at home with relative ease. Whether you're an experienced sewer or a beginner, there are several ways to make a tank top. You can make a tank top from scratch by sewing, or you can repurpose an existing T-shirt by cutting and sewing. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even add your own creative flair with ruffles, knots, or fringes. So, whether you're looking to upcycle old T-shirts or create a unique fashion statement, making your own tank top can be a fun and rewarding project.

Cut the sleeves off

Cutting the sleeves off a T-shirt is a great way to create a trendy muscle top, a sleeveless crop top, or a cool subtle tank top. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Test the Look

Roll the sleeves up or tuck them into the seam to see how the sleeveless shirt looks. You can also place sewing pins in the sleeves and put the T-shirt on to check the fit on your shoulders. If you plan on cropping the shirt, roll up the bottom of the hem to decide where you want it to lay.

Step 2: Decide How Far to Cut the Sleeves

You can either cut the sleeves at the seam or leave the seam intact. Leaving the seam will give your shirt a smaller armhole and prevent it from unravelling or looking shabby. Cutting out the seam will give a more casual, loose look. If you want to make a muscle shirt, cut the seams out. For cap sleeves, mark a line from the bottom of the sleeve, with the top about 2 inches out from the seam.

Step 3: Mark Your Cut

Lay the T-shirt on a flat surface. If you're cutting out the seam, mark a line about 1 inch from the seam with chalk or an erasable pen. Curve the line around the seam, ending at a right angle about 1 inch under the sleeve. To keep the seam, make the line about 1/4 inch from the outside of the seam. If you want to crop the shirt, mark a straight line across the bottom where you want the hem to lay.

Step 4: Cut the Sleeves

Hold the fabric taut and carefully cut along the marks. Cut in a smooth, even line around the sleeve. Repeat on the other sleeve, or fold the T-shirt in half before cutting to ensure an even cut on both sides. You can use the leftover sleeves as headbands, rags, or cut them into squares for quilting or other sewing projects.

Step 5: Hem the Edges (Optional)

If you want to prevent the sleeves from curling or fraying, fold the edge of the fabric 1/4 inch inside the sleeve and pin it down. Sew two straight lines by hand or with a sewing machine around the ends of both sleeves to attach the hem. If you cropped your shirt, do the same along the bottom to prevent it from rolling up.

Step 6: Add Additional Cuts for a Distressed Look (Optional)

To make your shirt look distressed, cut holes into the fabric with scissors or a box cutter. Make small, sporadic cuts in the hem and on the front and back of your shirt. For larger holes, pinch the fabric and cut into the fold, then stretch the hole a little with your fingers to prevent fraying.

Fold the t-shirt in half

Folding a T-shirt in half is a great way to ensure that any cuts you make are symmetrical and even. This is especially important when you are cutting armholes, as you want to make sure that they are the same size and shape on both sides.

To fold the T-shirt in half, first lay the shirt flat on a table or other work surface. Smooth out any wrinkles or creases, and make sure that the sides of the shirt are lined up evenly. Then, fold the shirt along its vertical centre, so that the two sides are lying on top of each other. You may want to place a heavy object like a book on top of the shirt to keep it from shifting or unfolding as you work.

Once your shirt is folded, you can begin cutting. If you are using another tank top as a template, place it on top of the folded shirt and use it to guide your cuts. Make sure that the armholes and neckline of the template tank top are aligned with the folds of the T-shirt to ensure symmetry. Carefully cut through both layers of the T-shirt at the same time, following the outline of the template.

If you are cutting freehand without a template, you will need to mark the cut lines on the back side of the folded shirt before cutting. Use a ruler or measuring tape to mark the desired width of the armholes and neckline, making sure that your marks are mirrored across the fold. Then, cut through both layers of the shirt at the same time, following the marks you have made.

Remember to cut slightly outside your desired cut lines to allow for a seam allowance. You will also want to leave extra fabric if you plan to hem the armholes and neckline.

Cut along the curve of the sleeve seam

Cutting along the curve of the sleeve seam is a crucial step in creating a well-fitting tank top. Here's a detailed guide on how to approach this step:

Firstly, it is important to understand the concept of a seam allowance. A seam allowance refers to the small extra fabric border that ends up inside the garment after sewing. Proper management of seam allowances is essential for achieving a neat and professional finish. When cutting along the curve of the sleeve seam, ensure you follow the seam allowance guidelines provided in your chosen tank top pattern. Typically, a seam allowance of 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) is common for tank tops.

When cutting the sleeve seam, use sharp scissors or a rotary cutter to ensure precise and clean cuts. Cut along the curve of the sleeve seam, following the seam allowance guidelines. Take your time and cut slowly to avoid any mistakes. If you're a beginner, it might be helpful to cut slightly outside the seam allowance and then trim closer as needed.

If your tank top pattern involves sleeves with outward curves, you may need to trim the seam allowance to achieve a smooth curve. Cut small triangles along the seam allowance, spacing them evenly. This technique will help you achieve a smoother curve once the garment is turned right side out. Avoid cutting large and sparse triangles, as they may result in an uneven finish.

In the case of inward curves, you'll want to create slits in the seam allowance instead of removing fabric. Make small cuts or snips perpendicular to the seam allowance edge, about every 1/2 inch to 1 inch (1.25 cm to 2.5 cm). These slits will release tension along the curve and allow the fabric to sit smoothly.

After cutting the sleeve seam, carefully finish the raw edges to prevent fraying. You can use a serger or an overcasting stitch on your sewing machine to finish the edges. Alternatively, you can fold and press the raw edges inward and stitch them in place, creating a neat finish.

Remember to cut one sleeve seam for the front piece of your tank top and another for the back piece, ensuring they are mirror images of each other. Always cut fabric pieces with the fabric grain running parallel to the sleeve seam to ensure proper stretch and drape.

Cut the neckline

Cutting the neckline of a tank top is a simple process, and there are several ways to go about it. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cut the neckline of a tank top:

Preparing the Tank Top:

• Choose a tank top that fits you well and has a neckline you like. This will be your template.
• If you don't have a tank top to use as a template, you can use a T-shirt instead. Make sure the T-shirt is inside out and ironed to remove any wrinkles.
• Place the tank top on top of the T-shirt, aligning the shoulders and making sure the front sides are facing upwards.
• Pin the tank top to the T-shirt along the edges to keep it from moving while you cut.

Cutting the Neckline:

• Using fabric scissors, carefully cut along the neckline of the tank top, using it as a guide. Leave a seam allowance of about 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) if you want a finished hem.
• If you don't have a tank top to use as a guide, you can cut the neckline freehand. Decide how deep you want the neckline to be and cut accordingly.
• For a more unique look, consider cutting a V-neck or scoop neck. You can even cut the back neckline to match the front.

Finishing the Neckline:

• Once you have cut the neckline, you can leave it raw if you like. T-shirt fabric does not fray, so there is no need to hem unless you want a neater finish.
• If you prefer a finished look, fold the raw edge of the neckline inwards by about 1/2 inch (1.27 cm). Secure it with pins and press it flat with an iron.
• Stitch the folded edge in place using a sewing machine or by hand. Use a zigzag stitch for more stretch and to minimise fraying.

Tips and Tricks:

• When cutting the neckline, make sure to cut slowly and carefully to avoid any mistakes.
• If you are unsure about the depth of the neckline, it is better to cut it smaller first. You can always cut more fabric off later, but you can't add fabric back on.
• For a more personalised tank top, consider adding embellishments to the neckline, such as lace or trim.

Hem the raw edges

Hemming the raw edges of a tank top is an important step in the garment's construction, serving to neaten and secure the fabric. Here is a detailed guide on how to achieve this:

Preparation:

Firstly, decide on the width of your hem. A narrower hem is better suited for lighter fabrics, while a wider hem works well with most fabrics and allows for easier management. A 1" hem allowance is recommended for beginners, providing ample excess fabric to work with.

Folding:

Begin by folding and ironing the hem ½" towards the garment's interior. Repeat this process, creating another ½" fold to enclose the raw edge. Use pins placed horizontally along the hem to secure the fold in place.

Stitching:

Using a sewing machine, start stitching at any point along the interior of the hem, using the fold line as your guide. Keep your stitches close to the fold line as you work.

Reinforcement:

Upon completing the stitching around the entire hem, reinforce the stitches by either back-stitching with your sewing machine or overlapping the end and beginning stitches to lock them in place.

Final Steps:

Remove the pins and iron the hem one last time for a clean, professional finish.

Tips:

• When working with delicate fabrics like silk or chiffon, avoid using a zig-zag stitch as it may cause bulkiness and wrinkling.
• For a more decorative finish, consider using a contrasting thread colour for your stitching.
• Always ensure your fabric is free of wrinkles and creases before beginning any cutting or stitching.

Frequently asked questions