| Sewing projects like this one can be so much fun and | | | | Let it hang a while. Try on the garment and mark |
| save you so much money. Here are two different | | | | where the lining should be hemmed. Then hem the |
| sewing methods on how to sew a lined tank top. | | | | lining layer so that it doesn't show. |
| Reversible tank tops are so versatile. They are | | | | Note: If the garment is not reversible, hem the lining a |
| perfect to take when you travel. You get a 2 for 1 top | | | | little shorter than the garment. If the garment is |
| if you use another color for the lining. You can even | | | | reversible, you want both layers the same length. |
| get 4 for 1 by using 4 different color fabrics. . . 2 colors | | | | Hand sew a small "swing tack" at the bottom of the |
| for the 2 fronts and 2 colors for the 2 backs. This | | | | side seams to keep both layers together. |
| works great under suit jackets since only the front | | | | Optional: You can stitch both layers together at the |
| shows when you wear it. | | | | bottom and bind it, too. |
| Test for show through first. It's a great way to use up | | | | Another Option: Or, bring the 2 right sides of the |
| a lot of your stash! | | | | bottom of the garment and lining together and stitch |
| The necklines can even be different front and back if | | | | leaving about a 4" opening near a side seam to turn |
| you like. Try sewing a v-neck front and a scoop neck | | | | the tank right side out. |
| back. If you have no darts for the bust, you can wear | | | | Slipstitch or fuse the opening closed. |
| the top backwards for a different look. | | | | Method II - Create a Center Back Seam For More |
| Try both sewing techniques to see which one you like | | | | Choices |
| best. | | | | This is another favorite sewing technique for sewing a |
| Method I - Sew a Binding on The Neckline and | | | | linedtank top. This method requires either a center |
| Armholes | | | | front or center back seam in the garment. It is the |
| Directionally staystitch the necklines and armholes to | | | | same technique often used for a reversible or lined |
| help keep them from stretching. | | | | vest. |
| That is, stitch 1/2" from the edge through a single layer | | | | If you don't want a plain seam line down the center of |
| offabric from the shoulder to the center front and | | | | your tank, then turn it into a pleat or tucks or some |
| center backon the neckline. | | | | other design element on the garment. Be sure to allow |
| Staystitch from the shoulder to the underarm on the | | | | extra fabric for the center seam plus the pleat, |
| armholes. | | | | pintucks, etc. |
| Staystitch the bottom edge of the tank 1/4" from the | | | | How To Add For An Inverted Pleat |
| edge front and back on both layers. | | | | Here is an example of how to add for an inverted |
| Join Shoulder Seams | | | | pleat. Thispleat folds toward the seam line and helps to |
| Lay a front and a back with 2 right sides together. | | | | hide it. You can add decorative or top stitching or trim, |
| Stitch the shoulder seams from the neckline to the | | | | etc. to the pleat if desired. You are the designer. Do |
| armhole. | | | | whatever suits your fancy. Get ideas from |
| Repeat for the lining layer. | | | | ready-to-wear. |
| Sandwich press the shoulder seams. | | | | For a 1" inverted pleat down the center back or center |
| Press the seams open. | | | | front of a tank top, you need to add double the pleat |
| Trim the lining shoulder seams to 1/4" | | | | (2") plus a seam allowance (5/8"). That adds up to 2-5 |
| Stitch Side Seams | | | | 8" total that you need to add to the center front or |
| Stitch the side seams from the bottom to the | | | | center back fold line in order to make a 5/8" seam and |
| underarm on both layers. | | | | have a 1" pleat. |
| Sandwich press the seams. | | | | You might also like the seam exposed as the focal |
| Press the seams open. | | | | point of a box pleat and run a row of trim or buttons |
| Trim the lining side seams to 1/4". | | | | down the seam line. Just fold the pleat to create a box |
| Try On To Check Fit | | | | pleat instead of an inverted pleat. |
| Before you sew the two layers together, try on the | | | | How To Sew The Tank Top |
| tank top to see if the neckline or the armholes gap. If | | | | Directionally staystitch the necklines and armholes on |
| they do, now is the time to fix it either with darts, | | | | both layers to prevent stretching as specified in |
| easing or other neckline or armhole adjustments too | | | | Method I. |
| involved to address here. | | | | Stitch the shoulder seams on both layers. Press and |
| Sewing Tip: Use a fusible stay tape on necklines and | | | | trim as in Method I. |
| armholes to help eliminate the gaposis problem. | | | | Do NOT make the center seam. For our example, we |
| Once you get the top to fit your body, make the same | | | | will use a center back seam. |
| adjustments to the lining. | | | | Put the 2 right sides together of the tank and the lining |
| Put Tank Top and Lining Together | | | | together |
| Lay the 2 wrong sides of the tank top and lining | | | | Stitch the armholes, trim and understitch. Use short |
| together. | | | | stitches (18-20 per inch); trim to 1/8" and understitch. |
| Pin the shoulder seams one on top of the other to hold | | | | For the neckline, beginning on the back about 2" before |
| in place at the neckline and the shoulder point. | | | | theshoulder seam, stitch around the neckline and stop |
| Line up and pin together at the underarms. | | | | 2" beyondthe other shoulder seam. |
| Pin center fronts and center backs together at the | | | | Trim seam and understitch. Use short stitches to stitch |
| neckline | | | | a curve (18-20 per inch); trim to 1/8" and understitch. |
| Pin the armholes together | | | | Leave the back neckline unstitched until after you |
| Beginning at a shoulder seam, stitch the neckline 5/8" | | | | make the seam and pleat in the center back. It is fine |
| to 3/4" from the edge. | | | | for now. |
| Trim off the seam allowance close to the stitching. | | | | Turn Right Side Out |
| This edge will be bound and will be the finished edge | | | | Now, pull the split unstitched right and left backs |
| of the garment. | | | | through each shoulder to turn right side out. |
| Stitch the armhole seams 5/8" to 3/4". Trim off the | | | | Press the stitched neckline and armholes well with |
| seam allowance close to the stitching. | | | | understitching up at the board. |
| Now the neckline and armhole edges are ready for | | | | Stitch Center Seam |
| binding. | | | | Stitch the center seam at 5/8". Sandwich press. Press |
| Sewing Tip: You might like to try serging the edges | | | | seam open. |
| with adecorative thread or look for a decorative | | | | Mark Pleat |
| purchased trim to bind them. You are the designer. | | | | With the face side up, mark fold lines 2" away from |
| Cut Fabric Binding | | | | either side of the seam line. Bring those lines over to |
| For a fabric binding, cut matching or contrasting bias | | | | the seam line and press the pleat in place. |
| binding to go around the neckline and both armholes 4 | | | | You can stitch 1" from the marked fold if desired. |
| times wider than you want the finished binding to be. | | | | Repeat for the lining. |
| That is, if you want 3/8" finished binding, cut the bias 1-1 | | | | Finish Back Neckline |
| 2" wide and the length you need it to be. | | | | Now, finish the back neckline. Stitch with short stitches, |
| Test the width of bias on scraps of your garment and | | | | trim, understitch, press. |
| lining fabric (double layer) to make sure you have | | | | Shoulders, neckline, and armholes are finished. |
| enough width for the "turn of the cloth". | | | | Sew Side Seams |
| Sew Binding | | | | Lay the right sides together for both the garment and |
| Sewing Tip: Use fusible thread in the bobbin of your | | | | thelining. |
| sewing machine to sew the binding to the neckline and | | | | Pin the underarm seams one on top of the other |
| armholes. | | | | matching exactly. |
| Lay the right side of the binding against the right side | | | | Start at the bottom of the garment and stitch in a |
| ofthe tank top with the raw edges together. | | | | continuous seam up to the armhole, stop, walk your |
| At the beginning of the binding, fold back the raw end. | | | | sewing machine over the pin, and keep stitching down |
| Place this fold at one of the shoulder seams for the | | | | the lining side seam. |
| neckline. You may start the binding at the center back | | | | Sandwich press the seam. |
| if you prefer, however, if you plan to wear the tank | | | | Press the seam open. |
| backwards, it may look better to have the binding end | | | | Do not trim this lining seam in case you need to let the |
| at one shoulder. | | | | garment out. |
| Place the fold to start the binding at the underarm for | | | | Turn the lining layer down inside the garment. |
| thearmholes. | | | | Finish The Bottom |
| Stitch the binding as deep as you want it to be when | | | | Finish the bottom as described above with either |
| finished. Example: 3/8". Slightly stretch the binding as | | | | separate hems, or. . . |
| you stitch a curve. | | | | Stitch the two layers together leaving an opening near |
| Overlap where you started the binding and trim off the | | | | a side seam and turn right side out. |
| excess. The folded edge of the binding will show | | | | Design Your Own Tank Style Garments |
| when the binding is finished. | | | | Change your necklines, add slits to the side, or |
| Turn the bias up over the garment edge, fold under | | | | lengthenthe tank top pattern for tunic, knee length, or |
| and pin. | | | | floor length. Just make sure to allow room for hip width |
| Lightly press to fuse the binding to hold it in place. | | | | plus ease. |
| Either slipstitch the edge of the binding so the stitches | | | | Perfect the fit on your tank top sewing pattern. Use it |
| won't show from either side or "stitch in the ditch" or | | | | to sew blouses, dresses, beach cover-ups, night |
| "well stitch" on the right side with the stitches showing | | | | gowns, vests and sleeveless jackets. |
| on the lining side. | | | | Sew a whole wardrobe using different fabrics like silk, |
| Note: The fusible thread is not enough to hold the | | | | lace, fleece, leather, suede, denim, upholstery fabrics, |
| bindingpermanently. You must stitch it. | | | | sheers, cottons, knits, quilted fabric, whatever you |
| If you aren't going to wear the tank top inside out, just | | | | want. |
| leave the raw edge of the binding on the inside and | | | | Add decorative stitching, appliques, embroidery, fabric |
| "stitch in the ditch". It eliminates bulk. Since it is bias, it | | | | manipulation; try out all your sewing techniques, paints, |
| won't fray. | | | | etc. |
| Hemming Options: | | | | Have fun designing your own unique tank wardrobe. |
| Hem the two layers separately. Hem the outside layer | | | | They arequick and easy sewing projects. |
| first. | | | | It just makes sense! |