Creating A Spaghetti Strap Tank Top: A Step-By-Step Guide

how to make spaghetti strap tank top

Spaghetti strap tank tops are a great addition to your wardrobe, especially for the summer. They are light, breezy, and easy to wear. You can make your own spaghetti strap tank top by following a simple pattern and sewing it together. This is a great project for beginners and can be made using a sewing machine or by hand. You can use a variety of fabrics such as cotton, linen, or stretchy jersey fabric, and decorate it with loop and knot closures. The process involves measuring and marking the fabric, cutting and serging it, pinning and sewing the straps and bodice, and adding any additional details like loops or ruffles. With some time and effort, you can create a stylish and comfortable spaghetti strap tank top that is perfect for the warmer months.

Characteristics of making a spaghetti strap tank top

Characteristics Values
Fabric Linen, stretchy jersey, cotton, leopard-print fabric, old t-shirts, knit
Tools Sewing machine, scissors, pins, tape measure, iron, needle, thread, loop turner, fabric chalk
Steps Measure and mark the fabric, cut and serge the fabric, pin and sew the straps, pin and sew the bodice, cut, pin and sew the loop detail, cut and sew the loops, pin and sew the facing, snip the curved edges of the seams, pin and sew the side seams, add a topstitch, hem the bottom of the tank top, hand-stitch the facings to the seams, tie the straps

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Measure and cut fabric

To make a spaghetti strap tank top, you will need to first measure and cut the fabric. The measurements will depend on your body size and the style you want.

If you are using a pre-existing tank top as a guide, fold your fabric in half and place the tank top, also folded in half lengthwise, on top. Trace around the tank top, adding a seam allowance of around half an inch all around. If your chosen fabric is not stretchy, you may need to add a few extra inches to your bust measurement to ensure the top will fit comfortably.

For a high-neck style, you will need to fold your favourite camisole in half and trace the armhole, neckline, and spaghetti straps with fabric chalk. Then, cut along the line you have drawn on the front of the top, and draw and cut a straight line just underneath the armhole at the back.

Cutting the fabric will also depend on the style of the top. For a simple spaghetti strap tank, cut two straps, each around 50cm by 5cm. For a loop and knot front closure, cut a thin strip of around 3cm, and then cut this into two 5cm pieces. For the bodice, cut two pieces, using the first as a guide for the second. You can also cut facing pieces by cutting around just the top half of one of the bodice pieces.

Finally, serge or finish the raw edges of all the pieces with a zigzag stitch to prevent fraying.

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Sewing the straps

Now that you have cut out the fabric for the straps, it is time to sew them. Take one of the straps and fold it in half lengthwise, so that the long edges align. Pin the edges together and sew them down. Repeat this process for the second strap.

Using a loop turner, turn the straps right side out. If you do not have a loop turner, you can use a safety pin attached to the end of the strap. This will allow you to pull the strap through the tube.

Now that the straps are sewn, it is time to attach them to the bodice. Place the back bodice piece with the right side facing up. Position the straps along the top edge of the bodice, leaving about a 4-inch (10 cm) tail at the centre. Pin the straps in place and then place the back facing piece on top, with the right side facing down. Pin the bodice and facing pieces together along the armholes and neckline, making sure to catch the straps in the pins. Sew the pieces together with a straight stitch.

Repeat this process for the front bodice piece, placing the loops in position before pinning and sewing the facing piece.

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Sewing the bodice

Now that you have cut out the fabric pieces for the tank top, it's time to sew the bodice! Place the back bodice piece with the right side facing up. Position the ends of the straps along the top edge of the top, and then place the back facing on top of the straps, with the right side of the fabric facing down. Pin the straps in place, and then pin the bodice and facing together along the armholes and neckline. Sew them in place with a straight stitch.

Next, you will create the loop detail in the front of the top. Cut a thin strip of fabric, about 3 centimetres or 1.5 inches wide. Fold it in half, and then in half again to create a thin spaghetti strap. Pin and sew this strap in place. Cut two 5-centimetre or 2-inch pieces from the strip and make loops with each piece, securing them with a straight stitch.

Now, pin the loops in place on the front bodice piece, with the loops pointing downward. Lay the front facing on top of the front bodice, with right sides facing each other, and pin them together along the armholes and neckline. Sew the facing to the bodice along these edges.

After sewing the facing to the bodice, use scissors to make small snips along the curved edges of the seam allowances. This will allow the fabric to lay flat when turned right side out.

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Attaching the straps

Now that you have cut out the fabric for the straps, it is time to attach them to the tank top.

Firstly, fold the straps lengthwise and pin them together. Sew them down along the long edges. You can use a loop turner to turn the straps right side out.

Place the back bodice piece with the right side facing up. Lay the ends of the straps along the top edge of the top, and then place the back facing on top of the straps, with the right side facing down. Pin the straps in place, and then pin the bodice and facing together along the armholes and neckline. Sew them down with a straight stitch.

For the front bodice, you can add a loop detail. Cut a thin strip of fabric, fold it in half, and then in half again to create a thin spaghetti strap. Pin and sew it down. Cut two equal-length pieces from the strip and make a loop with each, securing them with a straight stitch. Pin the loops in place on the front bodice piece, with the loops pointing downwards. Then, lay the front facing on top of the front bodice, with the right sides facing, and pin and sew along the armholes and neckline.

Finally, lay the front and back pieces with the right sides together, and pin and sew the side seams together. Turn the top right side out and topstitch along the edges of the armholes and neckline.

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Hemming

Preparing the Fabric for Hemming:

Before you begin hemming, it is essential to prepare the fabric. First, fold the fabric along the bottom edge of the tank top to create a neat and straight crease. This fold will serve as your guide for hemming. You can use an iron to press the fold and set a crisp edge, making it easier to work with. Ensure that the fold is consistent in width across the entire bottom edge of the tank top.

Pinning the Hem in Place:

Once you have created the fold, it's time to secure it in place with pins. Place the pins perpendicular to the folded edge, spacing them about 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart. This will hold the fold in place and ensure that the hem is even all around. Check the tank top on your body or a mannequin to ensure that the length is as desired after pinning.

Sewing the Hem:

Now, you can start sewing the hem in place. If you are hand-stitching, use a needle and thread that match the colour of your fabric. Begin by knotting the end of your thread and hiding the knot between the layers of fabric at the inner side of the hem. Use small, even stitches, and try to keep them as invisible as possible on the right side of the fabric. Sew along the folded edge, following the crease you made earlier.

If you are using a sewing machine, choose a straight stitch setting and a thread colour that blends with your fabric. Start sewing along the folded edge, backstitching at the beginning and end to secure the stitches. Sew slowly and carefully, ensuring that you are catching both layers of fabric in the stitch and maintaining an even distance from the folded edge.

Finishing the Hem:

After you have sewn the hem in place, it is essential to finish the raw edge to prevent fraying. You can do this by trimming the excess fabric close to the stitching line with fabric scissors. Be careful not to cut the stitches themselves. Finally, press the hem with an iron to set the crease and give it a neat, finished look.

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Frequently asked questions

You will need fabric, a sewing machine, a serger or zigzag stitch capability, scissors, pins, measuring tape, and an iron.

First, measure and mark your fabric. You can use an existing tank top as a reference to draw the pattern. Cut the fabric along the lines you marked, and then cut a second piece for the back of the tank top.

Cut long, thin strips of fabric for the straps. Fold the strips lengthwise and pin and sew them along the long edges. Use a loop turner to turn the straps right side out.

Place the back bodice piece with the right side facing up. Pin and sew the straps in place along the top edge. Then, pin and sew the bodice and facing together along the armholes and neckline.

After sewing the facings to the bodice pieces, snip the curved edges of the seams to allow the fabric to lay flat. Then, pin and sew the side seams together. Finally, hem the bottom of the tank top and hand-stitch the facings to the seam allowance.

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