Adjusting Tank Top Straps: A Guide To Shortening Them

how to shorten straps on a tank top

Tank tops are a staple in many people's wardrobes, but what happens when the straps are too long? Slipping straps can be a constant worry, and no one has time for that. There are several ways to shorten tank top straps, from sewing to no-sew solutions like using a string, clip, pin, or even a long, fluid ribbon for a more elegant look. The key to strap security may also lie in turning your straps into a racerback. This article will explore various methods to shorten tank top straps, ensuring a perfect fit and strap security.

Characteristics Values
Problem Tank top straps are too long
Solutions Sewing, The Strap Saver, turning straps into a racerback
Tools Straight pins, safety pins, sewing machine, hand sewing needle, fabric chalk, marker, scissors, ribbon, string, clip, pin
Steps Measure how much to remove, prepare the top for the machine, sew over the basting line, cut the excess sleeve, put a stitch on the edge to prevent fraying

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Measure how much strap length to remove

To determine how much strap length you need to remove, start by pulling the shirt up at the shoulder seam until the strap reaches your desired length. You may want to wear the tank top inside out to do this. Pin the strap at the shoulder, and repeat this process on the other side. Note that the amount of fabric you adjust may not be equal on both sides, depending on your body and the fit you desire. For example, if you have forward-facing shoulders, you may need to remove more fabric from the front than the back.

Check the armpits and neckline to ensure the pins haven't raised the straps too high. Once you're happy with the length, make sure the straps are the same width at the pinned area.

Now, you can cut off the excess fabric, leaving some fabric above the pin for a seam allowance. For example, you could leave a 1/2-inch seam allowance.

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Prepare the tank top for the machine

Before you start sewing, it's important to prepare your tank top and ensure it's ready for the machine. This will involve trying on the garment and marking the desired length of the straps, as well as securing the fabric to ensure a neat finish.

Firstly, put on your tank top and decide how much you want to shorten the straps. This can be done by trying on the top and pulling the shirt up at the shoulder seam until the strap reaches your desired length. You can then use straight pins or safety pins to mark this point. Alternatively, you can use a measuring tape to determine the exact length you want to remove. Mark this point with a pin. It's important to do this for both straps to ensure they will be even.

Once you've marked the desired length, remove the top and lay it flat. You can then begin basting the straps. Basting is a technique where you use a long, loose stitch to temporarily secure two pieces of fabric together. This will help to keep the fabric in place while you sew, reducing the risk of slipping and ensuring a neater finish.

Make sure to secure the sides of the straps well with the basting thread to prevent any unwanted movement of the fabric. This extra step will be worth it to achieve a professional-looking result.

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Use a sewing machine to adjust strap length

If you want to use a sewing machine to adjust the strap length of your tank top, you can follow these steps:

Firstly, put on the tank top and decide how much you want to shorten the straps. Pull the shirt up at the shoulder seam until the strap reaches your desired length. You can use straight pins or safety pins to pin the strap in place at the shoulder. Check the armpits and neckline to ensure the straps are not too short, and that they are still the same width at the pinned area.

Next, remove the tank top and cut off the excess fabric, leaving some fabric above the pin for a seam allowance. For example, you could leave 0.5 inches. Then, flip the shortened strap so that the pieces are right side together, and pin them in place.

Now it's time to start sewing. Stitch across the strap where the pin was. If your tank top is made from stretch fabric, you don't need to worry about using a stretch stitch as this part of the garment won't need to stretch much. If your tank top is made from woven fabric, you may want to add fray check to the raw edges to prevent fraying.

Finally, open the seam and press the seam allowances flat to the sides of the seam. Then, topstitch them in place. You don't need to use a zigzag stitch, serger, or other stretch stitch for this part, unless you want to.

And that's it! Your tank top straps should now be the perfect length.

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Cut excess fabric

Once you've pinned your tank top straps to the desired length, it's time to cut the excess fabric. This step will vary depending on the style of your tank top and the method you're using to shorten the straps. Here's a detailed guide:

For Traditional Tank Tops:

  • After pinning the straps to the desired length, cut off the excess fabric, leaving about a 0.5-inch seam allowance. This will ensure you have enough fabric to create a neat seam.
  • Flip the shortened strap so that the right sides of the fabric are together. You may want to pin the fabric in place to secure it.
  • Stitch across the strap where the pin was placed. If your tank top is made of stretchy fabric, you don't need to worry about using a stretch stitch.
  • Open the seam and press the seam allowances flat to the sides. This will create a neat finish.
  • Topstitch the seams in place. You don't need to use a zigzag stitch or serger unless you prefer a stretchier finish.

For Racerback Tank Tops:

  • When converting a T-shirt into a racerback tank top, cut the sleeves and collar off, then cut a deep V-shape into the back of the shirt between the shoulder blades.
  • Take the fabric strand you created by cutting the hem, and tie it around the bottom of the V-shape. Gather the fabric between the armholes as you wrap the strand downward.
  • Continue wrapping the strand tightly until you reach the bottom of the armholes. Then, wrap it back upwards and secure the end by tucking it under the wound fabric or tying a knot.

For Double Thin Straps:

  • Cut a notch into the shoulder seam, staying within the collar and armhole hems. This will ensure the shirt stays intact.
  • Cut around the armhole, following the binding or stitching as a guide. Stop when you reach the same level as the bottom edge of the collar. Repeat this step for the back of the tank top.
  • Cut around the collar in a similar fashion but stop just before it curves horizontally. Repeat for the back, keeping in mind that the collar will be shallower.
  • Cut the strips of loose fabric at an angle to create two intact thin straps.
  • Clean up the cut edges with smaller scissors for a neater finish. Cut as close as possible to the fabric wrapped around the collar and armholes to create the appearance of slender spaghetti straps.

Remember to cut carefully and measure twice, cut once! It's always a good idea to leave a little extra fabric when cutting, as you can always trim more, but you can't add fabric back once it's cut.

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Finish with a zig-zag stitch

Once you've stitched the ends of the straps down on both shoulders, it's time to finish with a zig-zag stitch. This is an important step to neaten your work, strengthen the seams and prevent fraying.

First, stitch your seams as normal, then trim them down, leaving at least 7mm or 1/4 inch to accommodate the zig-zags. Set your machine to the zig-zag stitch setting, attaching an overlock/overedge/overcast foot if you have one. If you don't have this foot, be sure to test out the placement of the zig-zag by turning the handwheel towards you before you start stitching.

Line up the raw edges of the fabric with the guide on the foot. On light- to medium-weight fabrics, finish the seam allowances together as one; on heavier fabrics or where there is an opening in the seam, finish each seam allowance layer separately. Keep the edges lined up with the guide on the foot as you stitch. The right-hand point of each zig-zag should just reach the edge of the fabric.

Some machines will backtack (reverse stitch) on the zig-zag setting, in which case you should backtack at both ends of the seam. If your machine doesn't do this, you can either tie the loose threads in a double knot by hand or backtack on the straight stitch setting at either end of the seam.

Finally, press the seams either open or to one side, depending on whether you stitched them separately or as one. And that's it! Your tank top straps are now the perfect length and your seams are neatly finished.

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  • Byeon
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