Binding Under Tank Tops: Techniques For A Seamless, Comfortable Fit

Tank tops are a staple in many people's wardrobes, especially during the summer. However, some people may want to bind under their tank tops for various reasons, such as achieving a flatter chest or creating a more fitted look. One way to achieve this is by wearing a binder under the tank top, but this option can be uncomfortable in hot weather. An alternative solution is to sew your own binding into a tank top. This process involves cutting the sleeves off a T-shirt and finishing the armholes with a rolled hem, creating a unique and customised tank top. Another option is to purchase muscle tees or workout tanks, which have a higher neckline and looser fit, providing more coverage and a comfortable binding option for the summer.

Binding a tank top with a t-shirt

Step 1: Prepare the T-shirt

Start with a T-shirt that you won't mind cutting up. If it is a new shirt, wash and dry it first as fabric tends to shrink after the first wash. Iron the T-shirt to remove any wrinkles and make it easier to work with.

Step 2: Cut the Sleeves

Turn the T-shirt inside out. Cut the sleeves off the T-shirt, starting from just under the armpits and cutting straight up towards the shoulders. You can also cut off the collar if you want a lower neckline.

Step 3: Create the Armholes

Decide how deep you want the armholes to be and mark the cutting line with a chalk pen or an erasable pen. Cut the armholes, making sure to cut through both layers of fabric. Try on the shirt to ensure you are happy with the armhole size.

Step 4: Finish the Armholes (Optional)

If you want to finish the armholes with a neat edge, fold the raw edge of the fabric over towards the wrong side of the shirt by about 1/4 inch. Then, fold it over again and pin it in place. Thread your sewing machine with a matching colour thread and sew along the folded edge using a straight stitch.

Step 5: Create the Neckline

Decide on the desired depth of your neckline and mark it with a chalk pen. Cut the neckline, making sure to cut through both layers of fabric. Again, try on the shirt to ensure you are happy with the neckline.

Step 6: Finish the Neckline (Optional)

If you want to finish the neckline with a neat edge, follow the same steps as for the armholes. Fold the raw edge over by about 1/4 inch, then fold it over again and pin it in place. Sew along the folded edge with a matching thread.

Step 7: Try on Your New Tank Top!

Turn the tank top right side out and try it on. You have now successfully bound a tank top with a T-shirt!

Binding armholes and neck

Now that you have cut out the armholes and tried on the tank top, it's time to bind the armholes and neck. This will give your tank top a professional finish and ensure that the fabric does not fray.

To start, you will need to measure the armhole, starting at the shoulder seam and going down to the side seam. Double that measurement and then subtract 1 inch. This will be the length of the armhole binding. Cut 2-inch strips of stretchy knit fabric on the bias (diagonal) to this length. You will need two strips, one for each armhole.

Next, place the strips right sides together and sew the short ends together using a ¼ – 3/8 inch seam allowance to form a ring. Do this for both strips. Fold the rings in half and mark the halfway point with a pin. Do the same for the armholes, finding the halfway point from the side seam and marking it with a pin.

Now, with the shirt wrong side out, line up the binding seam with the side seam of the armhole and pin in place. Line up the halfway points and pin them in place as well. The binding piece will be slightly shorter than the armhole, so you will need to stretch the binding slightly as you sew. You can pin the quarter points if you wish, but it is not necessary.

Using a sewing machine, start at the underarm seam and sew all the way around the armhole using a 3/8 inch seam allowance and a regular straight stitch. Backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam. Repeat this process for the other armhole.

Once the binding is sewn on, fold it over to the wrong side of the shirt, with the seam facing outward and towards the binding. Pin or clip it in place all the way around, making sure that the seam is enclosed within the binding. From the top side of the fabric, stitch in the ditch, which is the point where the shirt meets the binding. Start sewing, easing and stretching the fabric slightly as you go. Backstitch at the end.

Trim any excess fabric close to the seam, being careful not to cut the fabric underneath. Your armholes are now bound!

You can bind the neck in the same manner if you wish. Simply measure the neckline, double that measurement, and subtract 1 inch to get the length of the binding strips. Cut and sew the strips as before, then attach them to the neckline, stretching slightly as you sew. Fold the binding over to the wrong side, pin or clip in place, and stitch in the ditch from the top side. Trim any excess fabric and you're done!

Binding a sleeve edge

Preparing the Binding:

• Cut the binding fabric: For a basic binding, cut the binding fabric into strips that are approximately 2 inches wide. If you want to create a bias binding, cut the fabric on a 45-degree angle (the bias) to give it some stretch and allow it to curve around the sleeve edge.
• Determine the length: Measure the sleeve opening and double that measurement. Then, subtract 1 inch from the total length. This will be the length of your binding strips.
• Join the strips: If your strips are not long enough, you can join them together. Place the strips right sides together and sew the short ends using a ¼ to 3/8 inch seam allowance.
• Fold the strips: For a basic binding, fold the strips in half lengthwise. For a double-fold bias binding, press the raw edges into the centre and then press the strip in half again.

Attaching the Binding:

• Pin the binding: With the shirt wrong side out, line up the binding with the sleeve edge. Start by matching the halfway points of the binding and sleeve, and then pin the rest. The binding should be slightly shorter than the sleeve edge, so you will need to stretch it slightly as you sew.
• Sew the binding: Using a sewing machine, start at the underarm seam and sew all the way around the sleeve edge. Use a straight stitch and a 3/8 inch seam allowance. Backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam.
• Fold the binding: Fold the binding over to the wrong side of the shirt, making sure the seam is enclosed within the binding.
• Stitch in the ditch: On the top side of the sleeve, stitch along the point where the shirt meets the binding. This will secure the binding in place.
• Trim the excess fabric: Carefully trim any excess fabric close to the seam, being careful not to cut the fabric underneath.

By following these steps, you can add binding to a sleeve edge, giving your garment a unique and charming look. Feel free to experiment with different types of binding, such as single-fold or double-fold bias binding, to create a variety of effects.

Using a sewing machine

First, you will need to measure the armhole, starting at the shoulder seam and going down to the side seam. Double that measurement and then subtract 1 inch. This will be the length of your armhole binding. Cut 2-inch strips of fabric on the stretch of your binding fabric to this length.

Next, place your tank top wrong side out and pin the binding to it. Line up the seam of the binding with the side seam of the tank top and pin that in place. Also, find the halfway points of both the binding and the armhole and pin them together. The binding will be shorter than the armhole, so you will need to stretch it slightly as you sew.

Using a straight stitch, sew the binding to the tank top, starting at the underarm seam and sewing all the way around. Backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam for extra security.

Now, fold the binding over to the wrong side of the fabric, making sure that the seam is enclosed within the binding. Pin or clip it in place all the way around.

Finally, stitch in the ditch from the top side of the fabric, i.e. sew in the crease where the shirt meets the binding. Stretch the fabric slightly as you sew and backstitch at the end to secure it.

You can also use this technique to bind the neckline of the tank top if desired.

If you are binding a closed edge, such as a neckline, you will need to be more precise in your measurements as you won't be able to cut away any excess fabric. Sew your binding fabric into a circle first, then follow the rest of the steps as above.

Binding with a muscle tee

If you want to create your own binding muscle tee, you can do so by cutting the sleeves off an existing t-shirt. First, decide how long you want the sleeves to be, keeping in mind that a muscle tee typically has a higher neckline than a regular tank top. Once you've determined the desired sleeve length, use a chalk pen or erasable pen to mark the cut line. Cut the sleeves, then try on the shirt to ensure you're happy with the fit.

Another option is to purchase a pre-made muscle tee. Old Navy offers a variety of muscle tees in different colours and styles that can be paired with a binder underneath for a comfortable and discreet binding experience.

Frequently asked questions