DIY Tank Top – How to Sew a Tank Top

Learn how to sew a tank top in this simple sewing tutorial for beginners. Just some basic sewing skills and a yard and half of fabric are all you need to start making your own DIY tank top.

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I have been meaning to whip up a couple summer tanks for several weeks now, but I never got around to it.

Well, the other day we stopped by the local thrift shop to drop off our regular round of donations. (Because somehow we accumulate so much crud in our house that I have to bring another trash bag of stuff up there like every other week!)

Aaand while we were there, we decided to actually go in. You know, because we need to look more stuff right after we’re dropping off our household clutter. Haha.

It turned out to be a good decision, because I spotted the perfect fabric for this tutorial.

Circa 1982. Navy blue. Subtle pattern. At least two continuous yards.

I swooped it up without a second thought.

It was just the push I needed to whip up a few tanks for summer.

They look great with a button down denim top. So, I will be rocking these in the fall and winter also!

If you are new to sewing, make sure to check out my Simple Sewing Series where I show you all the basics you will need to know to start sewing.

DIY Tank Top Tips

• Use natural fabrics like cotton or linen for a beautiful and breathable material.
• Add darts for a better fit. See below how to do that.
• Always make sure to try on your tank top and adjust as needed. 
• Check out my sewing page for lots of other ideas and basic instructions.

DIY Tank Top – How to Sew a Tank Top Sewing Tutorial for Beginners video tutorial

DIY Tank Top Supplies

1.5 yards cotton, linen, or linen/cotton blend

Matching, or coordinating, thread

Sewing machine – I love this basic one.

Measuring Tape

Here are some great fabric options that I have used before:

• Yarn Dyed Linen in Black
• Yarn Dyed Linen in Flax
• Linen with Stripes
• Linen Blend Fabric in Denim
• Cotton Chambray Washed Denim
• Yarn Dyed Linen Blend Charcoal

DIY Tank Top – How to Sew a Tank Top Sewing Tutorial for Beginners Instructions

Create a DIY tank top pattern

Draft a pattern by tracing around a tank top you already have that fits well. I chose to use a striped linen tank that I have been wearing all summer long.

The front and back pieces of your tank will essentially be the exact same size/shape. The only difference is the front neckline will plunge quite a bit lower than the back.

On my tank I added an opening in the back and a button loop/button. However, I have been wearing a tank this shape all summer long and I’ve never unbuttoned it. It goes on just fine without it. I like the detail it adds, but it is totally fine if you just want to omit it and make the tank straight across the back. Honestly, I will probably do this next time just because it will be so much easier/faster to make.

Make a master pattern copy

Cut the first draft out on a piece of fabric you don’t really care if you mess up. This way you can make sure the shape is right before you go hacking into expensive linen. 

Copy the pattern pieces you made onto another piece of fabric you don’t care about. I used an old sheet.

The reason for this is, you’re going to make the first draft to make sure the shape is right. But, if it is, you won’t have another pattern piece to repeat the right-ness. If the first draft is a bit off, you can adjust from the “copy” you made.

This sounds like a hole lot of rigamarole, I know, but once you get that perfect shape, you’re going to want to save the master pattern copy so you can repeat repeat repeat.

You wanna know how many times I have made the mistake of not keeping a “master pattern” for the things I’ve created in my sewing career? A LOT. I should literally have a dress pattern for every size girls’ dress from newborn through size 8/10. And, do I? No, I do not. Because I was too dang lazy to cut out the extra pattern piece. SMH. Learn from my mistakes, friends.

Add Darts

1. Darts are folds in the fabric that give a little more shape around curvy parts, such as the bust.
2. Again, optional. These make the piece a little more curvy, but the loose fit totally allows you to skip this step.
3. To make them, on one side of the front pattern piece, go down from the armpit about two inches and create a 3/4″ fold. Taper the fold in so that it ends about 4″ in from the side seam. (If this sounds like jibberish, make sure to watch the video above. Its way more clear in visual demonstration.)
4. Press it in place, and then sew it in place.
5. Sewing the darts will create a little area where the fabric sticks out a bit from the side of the front piece. Trim that area down so that you have nice straight lines.

Put the tank together

1. With right sides together, put the front piece on top of the back piece. Make sure the straps, armpit area, and side seams are all lined up.
2. Sew a 1/4″ seam down both sides and at the top of each strap.

Try it on for fit

Try the tank on to make sure it is fitting correctly so far.

At this point, it is still very possible to take it in on the sides, adjust the length, and create a deeper plunge in the front neckline. After the next couple steps, that will no longer be the case.

If it feels awkward, try adjusting the strap length, neckline, and curve around the bottom.

If it is so wonky that you can’t get a good fit, abort the mission and try again with new pattern pieces.

This is why its an excellent idea to make a copy of the original pattern piece. You can easily troubleshoot to find out why the fit is off. Once you get it just right, you will be so glad you have a copy. 😉

Finish all the raw edges

1. Once you like the way the tank is fitting, its time to finish off all the raw edges.
2. Cut a super long strip of fabric that is 1″ wide.
3. Line the fabric strip up with the neckline, leaving about 1″ of overlap on either side of the neckline. You will use this later to cover up the raw edges from the trip that you use to finish off the opening in the back.
4. With right sides together, sew a very narrow seam with the fabric strip and neckline.
5. Once you’ve gone all the way around, press the strip toward the inside of the tank.
6. Fold the raw edge of the 1″ strip in toward the tank, and then fold it again, so that the raw edges are hidden inside.
7. Sew all the way around the pressed edge, and all the way around the folded edge. This will hide all raw edges inside, and nicely finish off the neckline.
8. If you aren’t making the button opening in the back, make sure to overlap the strip. If you are making it, leave a little overhang to cover up the strip in the next step.

Finish the opening in the back

1. If you chose to include the opening in the back, finish the raw edges off with a 1″ strip of fabric in the exact same way that you did the neckline.
2. Create a button loop by taking a 3″ portion of the 1″ strip and folding the raw edges inward to create a tiny little strip. Sew it in place, while you’re attaching the strip to finish off the opening.
3. Cover up the top of the strip, that you used to finish the opening, with the overhang from the strip finishing the neckline in the previous step.

Finish the arm holes

Just like with the neckline, and the opening in the back of the tank, use a 1″ strip of fabric to finish off the armholes.

These need to be attached in a circular fashion, so I like to leave the ends near the side seam and attach them right sides together.

Sew the hem

Sew a very narrow hem all around the bottom of the tank top. I Just fold the bottom under about 1/8″ inch, and then another 1/8″ and sew as I go.

You can press the hem, if you want to be a little more official about it.

I like to sew the easy way. No pins, and pressing as little as I can get away with.

Make sure to keep the hem pretty narrow. This will take away the bulk, allowing it to lay better.

Finished Dimensions of my DIY tank top

These measurements may help you to daft your own pattern, if you don’t already have a tank top that you love to copy the shape from.

For reference, I usually where a size small or medium tank. I’m 5′ 5″ with a long torso and about 130 pounds.

My finished tank top is 24″ from the top of the strap all the way down to the hemline. At the widest point, which is at the bottom, it is 24″ wide.

The width from the outside of one strap to the other is 12″. The buttonhole slit goes down 4″

The width from one armpit to the other is 19″ (do you like my very technical sewing jargon? ;))and then it just tapers to the bottom from there.

Variation Ideas

What I love most about this simple tank is all the possible variations. Here are just a few to get our wheel turning.

1. Add a ruffle to the bottom
2. Add two ruffles to the bottom. Just sayin’.
3. Create straight lines, instead of an a-line shape.
4. Add a striped pocket.
5. Put buttons down the front.
6. Buttons down the back.
7. Add pretty little flutter sleeves.

So many ideas. So many fabric choices. Someone lock me in my craft room.

Shop the supplies

Yarn Dyed Linen in Black

Yarn Dyed Linen in Flax

Linen with Stripes

Linen Blend Fabric in Denim

Cotton Chambray Washed Denim

Yarn Dyed Linen Blend Charcoal

Check out my other sewing tutorials for women

• How to Make a Linen Dress (I made this while pregnant, but it fits great even now, postpartum)
• DIY Linen Pinafore Apron for Women Free Pattern
• DIY Summer Dress – Shirred Dress Tutorial
• How to Make an Apron from IKEA Tea Towels
• Simple DIY Fall Dress | Megan Nielsen Darling Dress

Do you make your own clothes? What have you attempted? Let me know in the comments below. 🙂

Thank you so much for stopping by the farmhouse!

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This post was updated Augusto 2019.

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