The basic tank top is easy to make.The pattern can be drafted from another tank top or you can freehand it.You can put the pieces together with a few simple stitches once the pattern is cut out.
Step 1: There is an existing tank top.
You should check your closet for an existing tank top.You can use this tank top to draft your pattern.It should be simple.You need to draft the pattern from another tank since you're making a basic tank top.Don't use tank tops that have pleats, darts, or other accents.If you want to use a stretchy knit, you can use the woven tank top.
Step 2: Place the tank in half.
The tank top should be folded in half.It should be placed on top of brown drafting paper, blank newsprint, or another large sheet of paper.The front neckline is visible if the tank top is folded in half along its back.When you draft the front pattern piece, it's more important than the back piece.
Step 3: There is a seam allowance in the outline.
Take a look at the entire outline of the tank top.Then, draw a second outline around the first one and place it 1/2 inch outside.The extra 1/2 inch will become your seam allowance.If you're drafting the pattern from a knit tank but want to make a woven version, add another 1 inch around the perimeter and to the inside of the 1/2 inch seam allowance.If you are drafting the pattern to make another knit tank or if you choose to draft from a woven tank, this is not necessary.
Step 4: If you want to repeat, Tuck in the upper back.
The folded tank should be moved to another part of the paper.Carefully fold the back neckline between the straps, then trace around the outline again, adding another 1/2 inch seam allowance.You'll need two separate pieces if the back neckline is higher than the front neckline.The front neckline should be visible if the back neckline is folded into the shirt.The rest of the perimeter should remain even after you fold in the neckline.If the neckline distorts the rest of the outline, unfold it again.
Step 5: Take out the pattern pieces.
Use scissors to cut out the pattern pieces.The pieces should be labeled "back" and "front".It's a good idea to mark where the fold sits on the pattern piece.
Step 6: Measure your body.
To draft a pattern from scratch, you need to know the size of your bust, chest, and neck.You need to know how long you want.Wrap the measuring tape around the widest part of your bust orchest to measure it.The tape should be parallel to the ground.If you want a slightly loose tank top, add 1 inch to the measurement; otherwise, use it as it is.Draw the measuring tape from the top outside edge of the shoulder down to the center of your body.To measure your neck depth, place the measuring tape at the collarbone, where the shoulder and neck seams meet on your shirt.Take a measurement at an angle to the middle of your bust line or chest line.To measure your neck width, wrap the measuring tape around your entire neck, keeping it parallel to the ground.Divide this measurement into two parts.Measure from the top of your shoulder down to your pants or whichever spot you want the tank to reach.Take this measurement and keep your back straight.
Step 7: Take a picture of the front outline.
Draw a rectangular with a height and width that match your bust andchest size.The front pattern piece will be drafted within the rectangle.Measure your neck depth from the top left corner to the bottom right corner.This is the point.Measure across to a point equal to half of your neck width, plus 1 inch, from the top left corner.This is the point.Between these two points, draw a curved line.The new line will be your neckline and the portion lying to the upper left will not be taken into account.Measure 2 to 3 inches along the top of the neckline, depending on how wide you want the straps to be.This is the point.Measure down to a point in the upper right corner of the rectangle.This is the point.Between these two points, draw a curved line.The portion lying to the upper right of this new line will be erased or ignored.After drawing a second outline around the first one, place it 1/2 inch outside.This is the seam allowance.
Step 8: Take a look at the back outline.
On a piece of drafting paper, draw a rectangle with a height and width that match your bust andchest size.The back pattern piece will be drafted within the rectangle.If you want the back neckline to be high, start at the top left corner and measure down 2 to 3 inches.The back neckline is usually higher than the front.This is the point.Measure across to a point equal to half your neck width, plus 1 inch, from the top left corner.This is the point.Draw a line between the two points.The neckline of your back pattern piece will be the upper left of the new line.The same procedure can be used to create the armhole measurement.There is a seam allowance of 1/2 inch around the finished outline.
Step 9: Cut out the pattern pieces.
Use scissors to cut out the pattern pieces.The pieces should be labeled "front" and "back"The fold line of both pieces should be marked.The left side of the pattern has a line lying beneath the neckline and on the side opposite the armhole.
Step 10: The pattern can be traced onto the fabric.
Place your fabric in half.Place the pattern pieces on the same side of the fabric.Line up the sides marked "fold" with the actual fold of your fabric when placing your pattern pieces.When pinning pattern pieces and fabric, try to keep them as flat as possible.To trace the outline of the pattern pieces onto the fabric, use a fabric pencil or piece of chalk.Don't unpin the fabric yet.
Step 11: Cut out the pieces.
Cut along the traced pattern lines with pinking shears.Unpin and unfold the pieces after cutting them out.The pattern pieces should be left aside.You can reuse them if they're still in good shape.If you don't have pinking shears, you can use a standard scissors.Pinking shears aren't strictly necessary.
Step 12: Press the edges when folding.
The raw edge gets trapped inside the second fold when the bottom hem is folded up.The fold should be pressed in place by pin and iron.This procedure is repeated for the neckline and armhole openings.If you want to perform the double fold on the sides and shoulder edges, fold the edge in by 1/2 inch.Press the folds into place.This procedure is repeated for both halves of the tank top.
Step 13: The front and back should be put together.
Place the back piece face-down on top of the front piece.Pin the two pieces together.The "right" and "wrong" sides must face each other.Make sure that both pieces are flat and that the edges match.Put the shoulders and sides in place.The edges don't need to be pinned.
Step 14: At the sides and shoulders, sew together.
The machine stitch along the upper part of the shoulder straps and along both side edges has a seam allowance of less than one inch.The shoulders and sides are created by this step.There are no seams anywhere else on the garment.A zigzag stitch is used instead of a straight stitch.The zigzag stitch gives the material more stretch.
Step 15: The last raw edges.
The machine stitches along the neckline and the open bottom.The seam allowance should be less than 1/2 inch.Do not sew the front and back pieces together during this step.The zigzag stitch is used to sew the hems.
Step 16: Try it out.
The tank top should be done.Wear it out and show it off.