Enlarging Your Tank Top: Easy Steps To Go From 8 To 10

Tank tops are a staple in many people's wardrobes, but sometimes they can be too small or too big. Luckily, there are ways to upsize a tank top without too much difficulty. One way is to cut the sides of the tank top and insert triangular-shaped pieces of fabric into the slits. This method is perfect if you want to preserve the original tank top, such as if it's made from a comfortable material or has graphics that you don't want to mess with. Alternatively, you can use a tank top that fits you well as a template and cut the sides of a T-shirt while the tank top is placed on top of it. After cutting, you can either leave the edges raw or fold and stitch them for a neater look.

Cut sleeves off to make a tank top

If you have a shirt that is too tight around the shoulders or arms, you can turn it into a tank top by cutting off the sleeves. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare the Shirt

• Choose a shirt that is too tight around the shoulders or arms.
• Lay the shirt flat on a table, smoothing out any creases or wrinkles.
• (Optional) Place a tank top that fits you well on top of the shirt, aligning the shoulders. This will serve as a template for cutting.

Step 2: Cut the Sleeves

• Using a pair of scissors, cut off one of the sleeves, following the natural curve of the sleeve seam. Start cutting from the bottom of the sleeve, about two inches below the armpit, and aim for the shoulder seam.
• Fold the shirt in half, lining up the neck seams. This will ensure that your cuts are symmetrical.
• Cut off the other sleeve, using the first sleeve as a template.

Step 3: Finish the Armholes (Optional)

• If you are happy with the raw edges of the armholes, you can skip this step as t-shirt fabric does not fray.
• To finish the armholes, use clear elastic to create a neat edge. Pin the elastic along the edge of the fabric, taking care not to stretch it. Stitch it down with a zigzag stitch, then turn the elastic over to the wrong side of the tank top and zigzag stitch again.
• Make sure to use thread that matches the colour of your shirt, as the stitching will be visible.

And that's it! You now have a custom-made tank top with a wider range of motion in the arms and better ventilation. This is a simple way to upcycle old t-shirts and give them a new lease of life.

Add side panels to increase size

If your tank top is too small, don't throw it away! You can easily upsize it by adding side panels. This method works well if you want to make your tank top a couple of sizes bigger. It is a great way to make the circumference of the body and the circumference of the sleeves a little bigger.

To add side panels to your tank top, follow these steps:

Prepare the Tank Top and the Panels:

First, you will need to measure the side of your tank top from the bottom of the hem up to the hem of the underarm. Decide how much extra you need to add to the sides of the tank top for it to fit you better. This will be the width of your panels. For example, if you want to add 2 inches to each side, cut your panels to be 3 inches wide. Don't forget to add an extra inch to the width to allow for seams.

Next, cut open the sides of your tank top along the side seams from the bottom hem up to the hem of the underarm. You can cut off the seams if it is easier than unpicking them.

Sew the Panels to the Tank Top:

You can choose to hem the ends of your panels before sewing them into your tank top, or you can hem them as you sew. Pin one of your panels to one side edge of your tank top, with the right side of the fabric against the right side of the tank top. Fold up the end of the fabric on each end to match the hem of the tank top and the hem of the underarm. Baste stitch the panel to the tank top, sewing 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch from the edge of the fabric.

Now, flip the tank top and baste the right sides together on the other edge. Repeat this process to baste the other panel into the other side of the tank top.

Try on the Tank Top and Adjust as Needed:

Try on your tank top to check the fit. If it is still too small, take out the panels and cut them wider, then sew them back in. If it is now too big, make your panels thinner and sew them back in.

Finish Up:

Once your tank top fits the way you want it to, sew over your basting stitch with a regular-length straight stitch. Sew the bottom hem and underarm hem to match the hem of the tank top. And that's it! You're done and ready to enjoy your new and improved tank top!

Cut wider straps into thin double straps

To cut wider straps into thin double straps, you'll need a ribbed tank top with wide shoulder straps. The exact width of the shoulder straps does not matter, but something that’s at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide would be good. For best results, choose a tank top that has a binding around the armholes and collar, rather than hems.

• Cut a notch into the shoulder seam, within the collar and armhole hems. Do not cut straight across the top of the shoulders, or the shirt will fall apart. Just cut a small notch into the shoulder of your tank top, but don't cut past the hems on the armhole or collar. Try to make the notch go across the entire shoulder, while still staying within the hems. This will make it easier to cut the fabric later.
• Cut around the armhole, stopping just below the collar level. Start at the notch you made and cut down the front of the tank, using the armhole's binding as a guide. Finish cutting when you’re at the same level as the bottom edge of the collar, or just below it. Use the edge of the binding or stitching as a guide. Repeat this step for the back of the tank. Keep in mind that the collar in the back will be a lot higher up.
• Cut around the collar in a similar fashion but stop just before it curves. Begin at the top of the collar, at the shoulder notch, and finish at the bottom, just before it starts to curve out horizontally. Repeat this step for the back of the tank. Remember, the collar will be shallower! You're cutting the collar side of the strap shorter than the armhole side because you’ll be cutting the final piece off at an angle. Cut alongside the vertical part of the collar, not the horizontal section.
• Snip the strips off at an angle in the front and back of the tank. After you’ve cut around the collar and armhole, you’ll end up with strips of loose fabric in the front and back of your tank. Cut these strips off at an angle where they connect to the rest of the shirt. This will give you 2 thin straps that are intact at the shoulder.
• Clean up the cut edges with smaller scissors for a neater finish. Cut as close as possible to the fabric that's wrapped around the edges of the collar and armholes. This helps the straps look more like slender spaghetti straps. Once you’ve finished one strap, repeat the entire process on the other side.

Sew in elastic to armholes

Sewing elastic into a tank top is a great way to upsize it and make it more comfortable. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Measure and Cut the Elastic

First, you need to measure the area where you'll be attaching the elastic, which in this case, would be the armholes. Measure the circumference of your arm where you want the elastic to sit. Cut the elastic slightly shorter than this measurement, as it will stretch. It's important to note that if you want a snug fit, you should subtract 2-4 inches from the measurement. This will ensure that the elastic is not too loose.

Step 2: Sew the Ends of the Elastic Together

Overlap the ends of the elastic by about 0.25 to 0.5 inches and use a zigzag stitch to sew across the overlapping elastic 2-3 times. This will ensure that the ends of the elastic are securely connected and can withstand the stretch. You can also sew the ends together using a scrap piece of fabric. Line up the edges of the elastic with the fabric and zigzag stitch across.

Step 3: Pin the Elastic to the Armholes

Divide the elastic into four evenly spaced sections by folding it and placing pins at each natural fold. Then, place these pins on top of each other so that the elastic is divided into quarters. Now, take your tank top and divide the armholes into four equal parts as well. Align the pins on the elastic with these four points and secure the elastic in place. This will ensure that the elastic is evenly distributed around the armhole.

Step 4: Sew the Elastic to the Armhole

Set your sewing machine to a zigzag stitch and begin sewing along the top edge of the elastic, stretching it out as you sew so that it remains taut and doesn't pucker. Make sure to stretch the fabric slightly as well to ensure an even stitch. Sew all the way around the elastic, overlapping the beginning of the stitching when you're done.

Step 5: Fold the Fabric Over the Elastic

Once the elastic is sewn in place, fold the fabric over the elastic, hiding the elastic inside the armhole. Make sure the elastic is lying flat and there are no wrinkles in the fabric. This will give your tank top a neat and polished look.

Step 6: Sew Along the Bottom Edge of the Folded Fabric

With the elastic still stretched out, sew along the bottom edge of the folded fabric using a zigzag stitch. This stitch should be right along the bottom edge of the fabric, overlapping the stitching by about 1 inch to ensure that the elastic is secure.

And that's it! You've successfully upsized your tank top by sewing in elastic to the armholes. Now you can enjoy a more comfortable and stylish fit.

Add a V-neck

If you want to upsize a tank top by adding a V-neck, you can follow these steps:

Firstly, decide how deep you want the V-neck to be. Measure and mark this point on the centre of the neckline at the front of the tank top.

Then, cut the existing neckline, making sure to cut slightly further than your marked point to account for the seam allowance. Cut the fabric at a slight angle so that the back of the neckline remains higher than the front.

Next, try on the tank top to check the fit of the new neckline. If you are happy with it, you can hem the new neckline using a narrow zigzag stitch, or leave the raw edge for a more casual look.

If you want to make the V-neck deeper, mark the new desired depth and cut the fabric again, following the same slightly angled line. Try on the tank top again and repeat this process until you are happy with the fit.

Finally, if you have cut away a significant amount of fabric and the shoulders have become too wide, you can adjust the shoulder seams. Try on the tank top and mark the desired length of the shoulder seam. Remove the tank top and cut away any excess fabric, following the line of the mark. Hem the raw edge with a narrow zigzag stitch to neaten the finish.

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