Transforming Tank Tops: Adding Long Sleeves, Diy Style

Adding sleeves to a tank top is a great way to update your wardrobe and increase the wear of your clothes. It can be a simple process, but it's not as easy as sewing on a sleeve. The armhole of a sleeved top is different from that of a sleeveless one, so you'll need to make some adjustments. First, find a shirt with a similar armhole size and use it as a pattern. Cut out your sleeve pattern, adding a seam allowance, and hem the edges. Then, with right sides together, sew up the inseam. Turn your tank top inside out and slip the sleeve into the armhole, matching the seams. Sew around the armhole and repeat for the second sleeve. Finally, finish your seams and press. Now you have a tank top with sleeves!

Find a shirt with a similar armhole size to your tank top and use it as a pattern

Adding sleeves to a tank top is a great way to change up your style and make it more versatile. If you want to add long sleeves to a tank top, you can use a shirt with a similar armhole size as a pattern. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Find a Similar Shirt for the Pattern:

• First, find a shirt in your closet that has a similar armhole size to your tank top. It should lay flat on the floor or a table. You can use a shirt with long sleeves, short sleeves, or any sleeve length that you prefer.
• Lay the chosen shirt flat on top of pattern paper. You can use parchment paper, medical paper, or regular paper for this step.
• Carefully cut around the sleeve of the shirt, creating a basic sleeve pattern.

Cut the Fabric for the Sleeves:

• Take your fabric of choice and fold it in half. Lay your pattern piece along the folded edge, adding a 1/2 inch seam allowance.
• Cut two sleeves using your pattern. You will need two sleeves for a standard tank top.

Hem the Sleeves:

• Open up one of the sleeves and work on the bottom edge first. Fold the edge over twice to create a neat hem. Repeat this step for the second sleeve.
• With right sides together, fold each sleeve in half and sew up the inseam with a straight stitch. This will give the sleeve its shape.

Attach the Sleeves to the Tank Top:

• Turn your tank top inside out. Take one sleeve, also with the right side facing in, and slip it into the armhole of the tank top. Match up the seams at the armpit and pin the sleeve in place.
• Sew around the armhole, securing the sleeve to the tank top. Repeat this process for the second sleeve.
• Trim and finish your seams with a zigzag or serged stitch, and press them flat.

By following these steps and using a shirt with a similar armhole size as a pattern, you can successfully add long sleeves to your tank top. Feel free to get creative and use contrasting fabric or add unique details to your sleeves!

Cut your sleeve fabric with a seam allowance

Adding sleeves to a tank top can be a simple process, but it's important to remember that it's not as straightforward as just attaching the sleeves to the tank top. You'll need to make some adjustments to the armhole of your tank top pattern first.

Here's a step-by-step guide to cutting your sleeve fabric with a seam allowance:

• Trace your sleeveless top pattern: Begin by tracing a copy of your sleeveless top pattern without the seam allowance. This makes it easier to make alterations. Don't forget to mark any design features and notches.
• Adjust the armhole: Place your sleeved top pattern over the sleeveless one, aligning the centre fronts, centre backs, shoulder seams, and side seams as closely as possible. Use transparent paper to make this step easier.
• Create a new pattern: Using a fresh piece of pattern paper, start by marking the centre front and centre back of your new pattern, referring to the original sleeveless top pattern. Then, trace the front and back neckline using the lines from the original pattern.
• Redraw the shoulder seam: Start redrawing the shoulder seam from the neckline end of the original sleeveless top pattern, and join it with the end of the shoulder seam from the sleeved top pattern. This adjustment ensures that the neckline binding still fits while accommodating the sleeve.
• Trace the new armhole curve: Trace the armhole curve from the sleeved pattern, remembering to transfer the sleeve notches.
• Adjust the side seam and hemline: Start from the new armhole and join the side seam of the sleeveless pattern at the hemline. Then, trace the original hemline.
• Add seam allowance: Once you have your new pattern with the adjusted armhole, add seam allowance to each piece. You can use the original pattern as a guide for the hem, side seams, and neckline. For the armhole, shoulder panel, and sleeve, refer to a tutorial on adding seam allowance.
• Cut your sleeve fabric: Now that you have your adjusted pattern, it's time to cut your sleeve fabric. Fold your fabric in half and place your new pattern piece along the folded edge, adding the desired seam allowance. Cut two of these sleeves from your fabric.
• Prepare the sleeves: Open up one sleeve and fold the bottom edge over twice to create a neat hem. Repeat this process for the second sleeve. Then, with right sides together, fold each sleeve in half and sew up the inseam with a straight stitch.
• Attach the sleeves to the tank top: Turn your tank top inside out and slip the sleeves into the armholes, ensuring they are right side out. Match up the seams at the armpit and pin the sleeves in place. Sew around the armholes, and you're almost done!
• Finish the seams: Trim and finish the seams with a zigzag or serged stitch, and press them. Your new long-sleeved tank top is now ready to wear!

Hem the sleeves

Hemming sleeves is an easy, economical, and quick process. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to hem the sleeves of a tank top:

Step 1: Choosing the Thread

Buy a spool of thread that closely matches the colour of the tank top. Select a good-quality thread that is smooth and fine.

Step 2: Selecting the Stitch

Most sewing machines have standard settings for blind hems. You can also use a straight stitch, with a standard stitch length of 10 to 12 inches, for sewing hems.

Step 3: Marking the Hem

Use a hemming gauge to mark the hem. You can also use pins to mark and secure the hem.

Step 4: Pressing the Hem

Use steam to press the hem. For delicate fabrics, use a pressing cloth to protect the fabric.

Step 5: Folding the Hem

Turn up the hem again, matching the width of the fold, and pin it to create a double-folded hem. Press the hem again.

Step 6: Sewing the Hem

Hand sew the hem using an invisible hemming stitch, or select the invisible hemming stitch on your sewing machine. You can also use a straight machine stitch to sew the sleeve hem in place.

Additional Tips:

• Always line up the side seams when shortening sleeves.
• Finish the hem with a zigzag stitch or a serger for a neater finish.
• For a quick finish, sew a lettuce edge hem, which is especially suitable for knits or lingerie.

Sew the sleeves together

Sewing the sleeves together is a crucial step in adding long sleeves to a tank top. Here is a detailed guide on how to do it:

Prepare the Sleeves:

• Cut the Fabric: Fold your chosen sleeve fabric in half and place your tank top on it at a slight angle. Trace the sleeve along the armhole, using pins or tailor's chalk to mark the outline. When you reach the end of the armhole, adjust the armpit corner and continue tracing until you achieve the desired sleeve length. Cut out the sleeves.
• Hem the Sleeves: Fold and hem the bottom edge of each sleeve. You can use a double needle for hemming.
• Sew the Side Seams: With the right sides of the fabric facing each other, fold each sleeve in half and sew up the inseam using a straight stitch.

Attach the Sleeves to the Tank Top:

• Pin the Sleeves: Turn your tank top inside out and slip the sleeves into the armholes, ensuring the right side of the sleeve fabric is facing out. Match the seams of the sleeves with the armpit seams of the tank top and pin them in place.
• Sew the Sleeves to the Tank Top: With the sleeves pinned in place, carefully sew around the armholes, securing the sleeves to the tank top.
• Finish the Seams: Trim and finish the seams with a zigzag or serged stitch, and press them for a neat finish.

By following these steps, you will have successfully sewn the sleeves together, creating a seamless and comfortable addition to your tank top.

Slip the sleeve into the tank top's armhole

To slip the sleeve into the tank top's armhole, you must first turn the tank top inside out. Then, with the sleeve right side out, place it inside the armhole of the tank top. Make sure to match up the seams of the sleeve and the tank top at the armpit. Pin the sleeve in place, and sew around the armhole. Repeat this process for the second sleeve.

• Turn your tank top inside out.
• Take your sleeve and ensure it is right side out.
• Slip the sleeve into the armhole of the tank top, matching up the seams at the armpit.
• Pin the sleeve in place.
• With the sleeve tucked inside the tank top and pinned, sew around the armhole.
• Repeat the above steps for the second sleeve.

It is important to note that before slipping the sleeve into the tank top's armhole, you should have already created the sleeve by tracing and cutting it out, and sewing it closed. Additionally, ensure that the armhole of the tank top is straight and simple, without any angular or raglan styles, as this will make it easier to attach the sleeve.

Frequently asked questions