T-Shirt to Tank Top | Binding Tips and Tricks
It’s summertime, and wearing a cool tank top can be very inviting.
In this tutorial, I will show you how to easily transform a T-shirt into a tank top.
This post is full of great tips and tricks for adding binding to the armholes and neckband.
It’s fun to upcycle an ordinary T-shirt into a unique tank top.
HOW TO MAKE A TANK TOP FROM A T-SHIRT
I am going to go over several different styles and ways to make a tank top.
- Basic work-out tank with cut armholes
- Rolled hem method
- Knit binding method
BONUSES: How to add binding to the t-shirt sleeve edge, and how to apply a tag or label.
Most of you know how much I love upcycling T-shirts.
A T-shirt’s simple, stretchy fabric can be used to make so many other things.
- Face masks
- Tank tops
- Stretchy t-shirt yarn
- Face mask ties
- Grocery bags
- Shoelaces
- Blanket binding
- Clothing binding
- Baby clothing
- Headbands
- Baby beanies
So, if you have a T-shirt with some good stretch, fun colors, or a cute print, don’t throw it out. USE IT.
There are so many options, and the variety and the color combinations are limitless.
So get out your creative bones and have fun making tank tops.
TANK TOP ITEMS AND MATERIALS NEEDED
- T-Shirt
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Pins/fabric clips
- Sewing machine
- Chalk pen/erasable pen (optional)
- Interfacing (optional for labels)
If you have an existing tank top you like and that fits well, you can use it as a template for where to cut the armholes and neckband.
Suppose you don’t. Cut the holes bigger and try it on.
You can always cut off more, but you CAN’T add fabric back after you cut.
BASIC CUT ARMHOLE TANK TOP INSTRUCTIONS
Turn the t-shirt inside out.
If you’re using an existing tank top as a template, lay the tank on top of your t-shirt and line up the shoulder seams.
The tank’s armholes will most likely be smaller than the t-shirt’s, but that’s no problem.
Using the chalk pen or erasable pen, trace the armhole of one side of the shirt. You can just eyeball where you want to cut.
Cut out that armhole. Fold the shirt in half, lining up the shoulder and side seams, and cut out the other armhole using the previous cut as a guide.
You can leave it like this, BECAUSE KNIT FABRIC WILL NOT FRAY.
TANK TOP ROLLED HEM METHOD
If you want to finish the armholes with a rolled hem, I recommend cutting the sleeve off OUTSIDE THE SLEEVE SEAM, leaving about a ¼ “ from the seam. (This will give the armhole a little reinforcement and make it feel like you’ve added binding to it.
But you can also make a deeper cut, and it will still work out fine.
I RECOMMEND TRYING ON THE SHIRT BEFORE CUTTING, JUST TO MAKE SURE IT FITS WELL AND IS CUT WHERE YOU WANT IT TO BE!
(If the armholes are a little gappy and loose, just note that after you hem or add binding, it will pull and be more fitted.
Once the sleeves are cut off, you need only fold the fabric edge over the sleeve seam (1/4 inch) and then fold it over again.
Thread your sewing machine with thread in the same color as the t-shirt.
Starting at the underarm seam, sew all the way around using a straight stitch.
Sew just inside the outer fold to hold in place.
Do this for both tank top armholes.
GATHERED SHOULDER TANK TOP
If the shoulders seem too broad and you want to bring them in a little, you can add a slight gather to the shoulder seam as I have in this photo.
Take a needle, double the thread, knot the end, and make two rows of big gathering stitches to gather to your liking—knot to secure in place.
You can also use a ribbon to gather the shoulders by tying a bow around the shoulder top and tacking it in place with a needle and thread.
HOW TO ADD BINDING TO THE TANK TOP ARMHOLES AND NECK
Using stretchy knit fabric strips from other upcycled knit clothing can add a lot of character to your tank tops. CHECK OUT MY POST AND VIDEO ON BINDING.
Decide where you want to cut the armholes.
Cut out and try the tank top on to make sure that it is where you want things to be.
Measure the armhole, starting at the shoulder seam and going down to the side seam.
DOUBLE THAT MEASUREMENT AND THEN SUBTRACT 1 INCH. This will be the length to cut the armhole binding.
Cut 2-inch strips, on the stretch of your binding fabric. Cut them to the armhole measurement. (If you don’t have strips long enough, you can piece them together. WATCH MY TUTORIAL ON HOW TO DO THAT HERE.
Place the strips RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER and sew the short ends together using a ¼ – 3/8 inch seam allowance to form a ring. Do this for both strips.
Fold the rings in half to find the halfway point, then mark it with a pin.
Do the same thing with the armholes. Find the halfway point from the side seam and mark it with a pin. It’s not always the shoulder seam. Most likely, it’s a little off to the side.
Now you’re ready to sew the binding to the tank top.
With the shirt WRONG SIDE OUT, line up the binding seam with the side seam.
Pin that in place. Line up the halfway points and pin them in place.
The binding piece will be shorter than the tank top piece, so you will stretch the binding slightly as you sew.
You can pin ¼ points, but I usually don’t.
Take it to the sewing machine and, starting at the underarm seam, sew all the way around.
Use a 3/8 inch seam allowance and a regular straight stitch.
Backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam.
I LOVE USING THIS TECHNIQUE TO BIND ALL KINDS OF PROJECTS: blankets, slippers, and other clothing items.
Fold the binding over to the WRONG side with the seam facing outward and toward the binding.
Pin or clip in place all the way around. (Make sure the seam is enclosed in the binding).
On the TOPSIDE, stitch in the ditch at the point where the shirt meets the binding.
Turn your sewing machine handwheel toward you, bringing the needle down to make sure it is placed in that crevice.
Start sewing. Ease and stretch the fabric slightly as you sew. Backstitch at the end.
There may be a lot of excess fabric; no worries. (Better to have too much fabric than not enough.
VERY CAREFULLY take your scissors and trim the excess fabric close to the seam. Be careful NOT to cut the fabric underneath! No need to worry, the fabric will not fray.
Tadah! There you have a nice professional-looking finish to your armhole.
You can do this in the same manner for the neck if you want.
ADDING BINDING TO A SLEEVE EDGE
Add binding to the edge of a t-shirt sleeve to add character and contrast.
This adds a lot of charm to a basic t-shirt and something you don’t see every day.
You pretty much follow the same procedure that you would for an armhole.
- Measure the sleeve opening x2, then subtract 1 inch. Cut the binding 2 inches x length.
- Find halfway points
- Pin in place.
- Sew
- Wrap the binding around the seam
- Stitch in-the-ditch
- Trim binding
BONUS: HOW TO ADD A LABEL OR TAG
Adding a cute little tag is optional, of course, but it is another way to customize your clothing.
Get more information on making your labels HERE.
Cut out the label and decide where you want to apply it. Some recommended places would be.
- The outer bottom center of the sleeve
- Just under the neck binding on the back of the tank top
- The bottom hem of the tank top
Unless the knit fabric is really thick, you’ll want to reinforce the knit fabric by applying a little piece of INTERFACING on the backside of the fabric where you want to apply the label. (Follow instructions on stabilizer).
Sew around the label using a narrow, short zigzag stitch to secure it in place.
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. Be sure to reach out if you do have questions.
