How to Sew a Cute Tank Top Out of an Old Tablecloth
Today, I’ll show you how to sew a tank top from this tablecloth! No one would ever say this DIY tank top used to be a tablecloth. So, if you want to learn how to sew a tank top yourself, grab your tablecloth, and let’s get started!
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Tools and materials:
- Tablecloth
- Sewing machine
- Marker
- Ruler
- Pins
- Scissors
- Thread
- 1-inch elastic
- Iron
1. Make the DIY tank top pattern
This is an easy top to sew without a pattern. All you need are a couple of measurements! Hold up your tablecloth and figure out how long and wide you want your top to be.
Fold your fabric (tablecloth) in half and start marking your measurements. Remember, since the fabric is folded, only mark half the width. Mine was around 12 inches wide, including seam allowance.
As for the length, I cut mine about 18 inches long. Also, you want to leave some room at the top since we’ll add elastic there. So, you want some extra room to be able to fold it down.
2. Cut out your pattern
Now, cut out your pattern along the markings you just did.
Place this piece on top of your fabric and cut another piece; this will be for the back side of the DIY tank top. So, you should land up with one front and one back piece.
3. Sew the sides
Lay both pieces right sides facing and pin the side seams. Then, sew to secure.
4. Measure the tunnel
As mentioned, we need to fold the top edge down. This depends on the width of your elastic. I’m using a 1-inch elastic, and I want to give myself extra room above and below it. I ended up folding my fabric down by 2½ inches.
Next, press on the folded line.
5. Make the channel
Lay the elastic around where you’d like to place it.
Draw a couple of lines above and below the elastic. Basically, you need to create a little channel where you’ll feed the elastic through.
Go ahead and sew a straight stitch along these lines.
Before you reach the end of the bottom line, leave an opening to feed the elastic through. I left about a 2-inch opening.
6. Measure the elastic
Measure your upper bust, where the top edge of the tube top will lay.
Cut the elastic, leaving about an inch of room for seam allowance.
7. Insert the elastic
Attach a safety pin to one end of the elastic and feed it through the channel you just created.
So, find the opening and start feeding that elastic all around the top edge of the shirt.
Once you get to the end, overlap the short ends and sew them down with a zigzag stitch.
When the elastic is sewn, simply pull on the top; this will help tuck the elastic into the top.
Also, ensure everything is lying correctly, and that all of the bunches are evenly distributed. Then, go ahead and close up that opening.
8. Make the straps
Cut 3-inch wide straps. I made mine a little longer than needed, so go ahead and figure out how long your shoulders should be by measuring them out.
Fold your strap in half and press it down.
Then, pin the raw edges and sew them all along that pinned edge.
Take a pencil and feed it through the closed end of the strap to turn it inside out. You can use whatever method you want; I really like the pencil trick.
Now, go ahead and press these straps flat.
9. Assemble the DIY tank top
Place the straps onto your top and secure the ends with a pin.
Sew the straps onto your shirt.
10. Hem the bottom
Last but not least, go ahead and hem the bottom of your shirt. Turn it up by about ½ an inch and press along the fold. Now, sew it down.
How to sew a tank top from a tablecloth
That’s how to sew a tank top the easy way- no pattern needed. Look at this adorable DIY tank top, perfect for the summer! I love the color and style of this tank top.
Sewing a top like this was surprisingly easy, too. Thanks for joining me on this upcycle; I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.
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Comments
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That turned out so cute! I bet there are a lot of material like cotton sheets that generally wear out in one area but not at all in other areas of the sheet. Super cute!
No never