Crafting A Cool Tank Top: A Step-By-Step Guide

Tank tops are a great addition to anyone's wardrobe. They are easy to make and can be worn in hot or cold weather. You can make a tank top by either tracing a tank top you already own or by taking your body measurements. Once you have your pattern, cut it out and pin it to your fabric. Cut out your fabric, sew the pieces together, and hem the raw edges. Now you have a tank top!

Draft the pattern

To draft the pattern for a tank top, you can either use an existing tank top as a guide or take your own measurements.

Using an Existing Tank Top as a Guide:

• Fold the tank top in half along its vertical center, making sure the front neckline remains visible. Place it on top of a large sheet of paper, such as brown drafting paper or blank newsprint.
• Trace around the entire outline of the tank top, then draw a second outline 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) outside the first. This extra 1/2 inch will be your seam allowance.
• If you're drafting the pattern from a knit tank but want to make a woven version, add another 1 inch (2.5 cm) around the perimeter and inside of the seam allowance.
• Carefully fold the back neckline between the straps and trace around the outline again, adding a 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) seam allowance. Make sure the rest of the perimeter remains even after folding the neckline.
• Cut out both pattern pieces, including the seam allowances, and label them "Back" and "Front." Mark where the fold sits on each pattern piece.

Drafting the Pattern from Scratch:

• Take the following measurements: bust/chest, armhole depth, neck depth, neck width, and desired length.
• Draw a rectangle with a height matching your desired length and a width matching half your bust/chest size. You will draft the front and back pattern pieces within this rectangle.
• To create the neck opening, measure and mark the neck depth and half of your neck width plus 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the top left corner of the rectangle. Draw a curved line between these two points to create the neckline.
• To create the armhole, measure and mark 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8 cm) along the top of the rectangle, depending on the desired strap width. Also, mark the armhole depth from the upper right corner. Draw a curved line between these points to create the armhole.
• Draw a second outline 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) outside the first to create the seam allowance.
• Cut out both pattern pieces along the outside perimeter of the seam allowances and label them "Front" and "Back." Mark the fold line of both pieces, which lies to the left of the pattern, beneath the neckline, and opposite the armhole.

Cut out the pattern pieces

Now that you have your pattern, it's time to cut out the pieces for your tank top. This process will differ slightly depending on whether you're using a pre-made pattern or one you've drafted yourself.

If you're using a pre-made pattern, start by printing it out and assembling it if necessary. Then, cut out the front and back pattern pieces, making sure to include the seam allowances.

If you've drafted your own pattern, carefully cut out both the front and back pieces, including the seam allowances. Label the pieces clearly as "Front" and "Back" to avoid confusion later on. It's also a good idea to mark the fold lines on each pattern piece.

At this point, you may want to make a test version of your tank top using inexpensive fabric to ensure that the pattern fits well and the pieces line up correctly. This is called making a "muslin" or a "toile," and it's a crucial step in ensuring the final garment fits well.

Once you're happy with your pattern pieces, you're ready to move on to the next step of cutting your fabric.

Fabric Cutting Tips:

• Fold your fabric in half, right sides together, and place your pattern pieces on the fabric according to the grain line indicated on the pattern.
• Pin the pattern pieces in place to prevent them from shifting, taking care not to distort the fabric.
• Use fabric scissors or a rotary cutter to cut out your fabric pieces, being careful to follow the cutting lines accurately.
• If your fabric is slippery or prone to fraying, consider using fabric weights and a rotary cutter instead of pins to avoid snags and ensure a clean cut.
• After cutting, carefully transfer any markings from the pattern pieces to your fabric, such as notches or dart placement lines.

Sew the pieces together

Now that you have your fabric cut out and ready to go, it's time to sew the pieces together. Place the front piece face-up, then place the back piece face-down on top of it. Evenly align both perimeters and pin the two pieces together. Make sure that the ""right" sides of the fabric are facing each other and the ""wrong" sides are facing outward. Pin the shoulders and sides in place. The remaining edges do not need to be pinned.

Machine stitch along the upper part of the shoulder straps and along both side edges, using a seam allowance of up to 1/4 inch (0.6 cm). This will create seams at the shoulders and sides, which are the only seams you need for this garment. Use a zigzag stitch instead of a straight stitch to give the material more stretch and help minimise fraying.

Try on your tank top to make sure it is fitting correctly. At this point, it is still possible to make adjustments to the sides, length, and neckline. If it feels awkward, try adjusting the strap length, neckline, and curve around the bottom. If it is too wonky, you may need to abort the mission and try again with new pattern pieces.

Once you are happy with the fit, finish off all the raw edges. Cut a long strip of fabric that is 1" wide and line it up with the neckline, leaving about 1" of overlap on either side. Sew a very narrow seam with the fabric strip and neckline, then press the strip toward the inside of the tank. Fold the raw edge of the strip in towards the tank, and then fold it again so that the raw edges are hidden inside. Sew all the way around the pressed edge and the folded edge to neatly finish off the neckline.

Repeat this process for the armholes and the bottom hem of the tank top. For the armholes, attach the strips in a circular fashion by leaving the ends near the side seam and attaching them with the right sides together. Sew a narrow hem of about 1/8" all around the bottom of the tank top, folding it under twice to hide the raw edge. Press the hem if desired, or skip this step for a more relaxed look.

Hem the raw edges

Hemming is a great way to finish the raw edges of your tank top and prevent fraying. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

Preparation

Before you start hemming, you need to prepare the raw edges of your tank top. Fold and press the raw edges of the fabric. For the bottom hem, fold and press the edge by 1/4 inch (0.6 cm). Repeat this twice so that the raw edge is enclosed within the folds. For the armhole openings and neckline, do the same—fold and press the edges by 1/4 inch (0.6 cm). However, for the sides and shoulder edges, simply fold and press by 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) without doing a second fold. Make sure to pin and iron press the folds in place to keep them secure.

Stitching

Now it's time to stitch the hems in place. Use a sewing machine to stitch along the open bottom, neckline, and armholes of your tank top. Use a seam allowance of no more than 1/4 inch (0.6 cm). Sew around the entire opening, ensuring you don't stitch the front and back pieces of the tank top together. Use a standard straight stitch for this step.

Finishing

Once you've stitched the hems, your tank top is almost complete! Give it a final press to ensure the hems are neat and flat. Try on your new tank top and admire your handiwork! You can now wear your custom-made tank top with pride, knowing that the raw edges are securely hemmed and won't fray.

Try it on

Now that you've sewn your tank top, it's time to try it on. This is an important step to ensure that your garment fits correctly.

Put on the tank top and assess how it feels. If it feels awkward, try adjusting the strap length, neckline, and curve around the bottom. If it's still a bit too roomy, you can adjust the side seams to cinch it for a better fit. On the other hand, if it feels too tight, you may need to let out the seams or adjust the pattern for more ease.

Additionally, try moving around in the tank top to ensure that it fits well and allows for a comfortable range of motion. Raise your arms, stretch, and twist to make sure that the armholes and side seams are in the right place and that the top isn't too tight or restrictive.

If you're happy with the fit, you're all set! Your tank top is ready to be worn and shown off. However, if adjustments are needed, don't be discouraged. Sewing is often a process of trial and error, so make the necessary changes and try it on again until you achieve the perfect fit.

Frequently asked questions