We have a new sewing tutorial for you today! We are going to show you How To Sew A Classic Tank Top With Free Pattern! I have been loving all these DIY clothing projects lately. My wardrobe has needed a refresh for a while, and these easy projects and patterns have let stay in style without breaking the bank. My sewing friend, Debbie, came up with this easy tank top sewing pattern and I can’t wait to make some nice, soft tanks to get ready for some warmer weather.

This project is simple to sew and has neck and armholes reinforced for durability. You will find that you will reach for this easy sew classic tank top to take you through your morning run, a quick trip to the grocery store, or even layered with the Kimono Cardigan for cooler weather or a night out. You certainly will not stop at making just one! Let’s get started!

Supplies To Sew A Classic Tank Top

We suggest that you use knit fabric with 30% or more horizontal stretch for the main fabric and something with a 50% stretch and good recovery for the binding fabric.

Size Chart:

Imperial (inches)	Small	Medium	Large
Chest **	34	36	38
Waist	28	30	32
Hip	38	40	42

** This pattern is drafted for a B cup bust size and a height of 5’ 4”. Is This sewing project not in the size you are looking for? Then check out our tutorial on Pattern Grading. The finished length of the shirt is approximately 22” .

Pattern Pieces Checklist

Once you have printed and assembled your pattern. You will cut the following pieces.

Front Bodice	Cut 1 on Fold
Back Bodice	Cut 1 on Fold
Bias Binding	Cut 1 – Neck Cut 2 – Armhole

Printing Instructions

This pattern has layers, so that you can choose to print only the size you need. To achieve this Adobe Reader must be installed on your machine or device. Adobe Reader allows you to click on the layers icon which will show you each size with an eyeball beside it. Click on the eyeball beside the size you do not want to print.

Before printing check that your printer is set to No scaling or Actual size. Set the Page orientation to Auto or Portrait. And then print page 1. Measure the 2” test square to see if it measures exactly 2”. If it does, print the remaining pages.

Trimming Pages

Cut off the right and top margins of each printed page before assembling the pattern. You can use tape or school glue to adhere your paper pattern together.

How To Sew A Classic Tank Top Pattern Assembly

After the pages have been printed and trimmed as instructed above, use the quarter circles located at the corner of each page for perfect alignment. When done your pattern should look like this:

how to sew a classic tank top pattern image

Seam Allowance

Use a 3/8” seam allowance unless otherwise instructed for this Tank Top sewing tutorial.

Classic DIY Tank Top Sewing Tutorial

How To Sew A Classic Tank Top With Free Pattern

pin front and back of classic tank top together along shoulder and side seams.

I would start this how to sew a classic tank top sewing tutorial by washing, drying, and ironing your fabric. This acts a a preshrink for when you wash it later and pressed fabric is easier to cut precisely. Then, just cut out your fabric according to the pattern. Start by placing your front and back tank pieces right sides together and pinning them at the shoulders. With the tank still right sides together, align and pin the side seams from the armhole to the hem. Sew the side seams then sew the shoulders.

Now we need to make the binding for our classic tank top. Using the included free tank top pattern, cut out the binding pieces. Then, pin them right sides together along the short edges.

Now on this how to sew a classic tank top with free sewing pattern tutorial, it’s time to sew! Sew them together along the short ends using a 3/8” seam allowance. Now you should have three fabric loops.

In this next step of this how to sew a classic tank top sewing tutorial, the neck binding and the arm bindings will be divided into quarters. To do this, we will repeat the following steps:

Fold the binding in half wrong sides together. Locate the seam and mark with a pin.

Using this first mark as a guide, divide the binding into half and mark with a pin.

Fold the binding again so that both pin markings are on top of each other ( red arrow in the photo) and mark the other two ends by inserting pins (blue arrows in the photo). Repeat the steps for the remaining binding pieces. Now, it’s time to sew this classic tank top together!

Next on this how to sew a classic tank top with free pattern sewing tutorial, we will mark the neck on the tank top in quarters:
Place the shoulder seams together (marked in the photo by the blue arrow) and find the centre point of the front and back neckline (red arrows) – mark each with a pin.

marking the front and back center of the tank top.

Using the centre back and centre front markings, place them on top of each other to find the center mark of the shoulder. (You will find that your shoulder seam is not your centre point – shown by the red arrows in the photo).

To mark the armholes on your tank in quarters:
Place the shoulder seams and side seam together (blue arrows in the photo).
Arrange the fabric and find the other quarter points (red arrows in the photo). Repeat for the next armhole. We are about halfway through this how to sew a classic tank top sewing tutorial!

pin binding to classic tank top with free pattern

Pin your neck binding to the wrong side of your tank at the neck.
Align each quarter mark pin on the binding to a quarter mark pin at the neck, ensuring that the seam of the binding is placed at the centre back of the tank. You will find that the binding is shorter than the neck.

Next on this how to sew a classic tank top with free pattern sewing tutoria, it’s time to sew on the binding. Using a stretch stitch like a zigzag stitch, sew the neck and arm bindings to the tank top, stretching the binding slightly as you go. This will help it fit correctly when you put it on and keep your stitches from getting messed up the first time the fabric stretches.

Flip the binding to the right side of the tank top, enclosing the neck raw edges, pin and sew using a stretch stitch (zigzag). Repeat the above steps to attach the armhole binding to the armholes of the tank top.

folding and pinning hem on classic tank top with free pattern

To hem your tank top, fold the tank by ½” twice and pin in place.

sewing hem on classic tank top with free pattern

Sew the hem with a stretch(like a zigzag) or straight stitch. You are almost done with this how to sew a classic tank top sewing tutorial!

Iron the bindings and the hem on your tank top to remove any wavy seam that may have formed. This will make them nice and crisp.

finished how to sew a classic tank top with free pattern

And that’s it! You’re done! Now you know how to sew a classic tank top with free pattern!

If you liked learning how to sew a classic Tank Top with free pattern, make sure to pin it to your favorite Pinterest board or share it with friends on social media. If you decide to make this simple project on your own, make certain that you take a picture afterward and tag us on social media as we love seeing the fabrics and color choices that people use!

Yield: 1

How To Make A Tank Top With Free Pattern

Learn how to make a tank top with free pattern! This simple sewing tutorial is just what you need to sew your own cute tank tops at home. Why pay in-store when you can make it for less!

Active Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour

Difficulty Easy

Estimated Cost $10.00

Materials

Tools

Instructions

Place your front and back tank pieces right sides together.
Pin at the shoulders.
With the tank still right sides together, align and pin the side seams from the armhole to the hem.
Sew the side seams then sew the shoulders.
Take your neck binding and armhole bindings, pin them right sides together along the short edges and sew.
Fold the neck binding and the arm bindings into quarters by folding the binding in half wrong sides together.
Locate the seam and mark with a pin.
Using this first mark as a guide, divide the binding into half and mark with a pin.
Fold the binding again so that both pin markings are on top of each other ( red arrow in the photo) and mark the other two ends by inserting pins (blue arrows in the photo).
Repeat the steps for the remaining binding pieces.
To mark the neck on your tank in quarters: Place the shoulder seams together (marked in the photo by the blue arrow) and find the centre point of the front and back neckline (red arrows) – mark each with a pin.
Using the centre back and centre front markings, place them on top of each other to find the center mark of the shoulder. (You will find that your shoulder seam is not your centre point – shown by the red arrows in the photo).
To mark the armholes on your tank in quarters: Place the shoulder seams and side seam together. (blue arrows in the photo)
Arrange the fabric and find the other quarter points.(red arrows in the photo)
Repeat for the next armhole.
Pin your neck binding to the wrong side of your tank at the neck.
Align each quarter mark pin on the binding to a quarter mark pin at the neck, ensuring that the seam of the binding is placed at the centre back of the tank.
Using a stretch stitch, sew the neck and arm bindings to the tank, stretching the binding slightly as you go.
Flip the binding to the right side of the tank, enclosing the neck raw edges, pin and sew using a stretch stitch.
Repeat the above steps to attach the armhole binding to the armhole.
To hem your tank, fold the tank by ½” twice and sew with a stretch or straight stitch.
Iron the bindings and the hem to remove any wavy seam that may have formed.
Your Tank Top is done!