DIY Tank Top Tutorial - Beginner friendly! How to sew modern minimalist racer rib style from scratch

Welcome to Slew Living! I'm Esther and I sew stuff to support a slow lifestyle.
In this video I'll teach you how to sew a stretchy tank top with a modern racer-style front. You can use the same technique to make loose sleeveless tops, singlet tops and t-shirts.
You will need:
- a base singlet that fits you (to develop your own pattern)
- stretch rib or jersey fabric
- thread
- overlocker/serger/sewing machine (zig zag stitch)
- fabric scissors
- measuring tape
- pins
0:33 Let's begin!
If you’re starting to learn about sustainable fashion and how to curate a more mindful closet, a great step is to learn how to make your own clothing. It will teach you so much about the entire process that brings a garment to life, and will give you a new appreciation for the many hands and resources it takes to create a beautiful, lasting garment. I guarantee that if you sew your own tank top you'll think twice before throwing it out or giving it away!
Follow along for more inspo and BTS / slewliving
Music by Ikson / ikson
Track - Sahara
Let me know in the comments if you have suggestions for more basic garments that you would like to add to your wardrobe!

[@AlieTheUnicorn]

This video is great! Because it’s beginner friendly and it’s super well explained and so cute! I can wait to try this! Tysm!!!

[@WestIndieRay]

Love this! Thank you!

[@SlewLiving]

Yay! Thanks for stopping by! 🥰

[@kelliedunn5155]

Wow thank you for the simple and quick tutorial!

[@SlewLiving]

You're welcome! Hope your top turns out great!

[@roxanasantiago445]

Wow, you are the best!! ❤

[@PrairieMom]

Cute and easy tutorial to follow. Hello from Sask, in Canada.

[@unified501]

i used this video today to sew my first tank top/first clothing item!! thank you for the tutorial

[@SlewLiving]

Congrats! Hope you make many more 🤗

[@ElenasBarre]

Great video, thank you. 🙏 Love the bloopers, but hate them when they happen to me when I'm recording... 🤣🤣🤣

[@steph-cv7lj]

thank you for this video! 🥰

[@SlewLiving]

You're welcome! Thanks for leaving a comment ❤ Would love to see if you end up making one for yourself!

[@annaleissler8736]

thank you soooo much, i love it!

[@SlewLiving]

Thanks so much Anna! Good luck if you are making one for yourself! ☺

[@KidOfMischief]

Thank you so much! It's been a few years since I have made a basic tanktop, and I couldn't remember how to do the neck and armholes binding. This helped perfectly!

[@SlewLiving]

You're so welcome! I'm glad this helped to refresh your memory and I hope your top turned out great!

[@chanyblejer7841]

Thank you

[@dhruvik1711]

wow thank you for this. I'm going to do this with a cheap tshirt i bought.

[@SlewLiving]

Great idea! 👍

[@mld1x598]

Great tutorial. Made it today, fab!

[@SlewLiving]

Great job!

[@brioneejohnson1035]

I got a sewing machine and I love to learn to sew

[@morenagomes7607]

Maravilha.👏

[@trishzarra]

Why have i found this just now 😍

[@SlewLiving]

Hope it's helpful! 🎉

[@ilincahirtopanu9082]

loved this tutorial! i keep looking for one that shows how to widen armholes for ready made tanks without much luck. maybe you’ll make one?

[@SlewLiving]

Thank you! Do you mean making the armholes bigger in general? Like underneath or around the front/back? Let me know and I'll keep it in mind for future video ideas!

[@tudormiller887]

Watching the UK.❤ #tanktops

[@GatoradeCrash]

Omg this is an amazing tutorial!! Your sewing skills are amaaazing. Just curious, what kidn of surger do you use?

[@SlewLiving]

Thank you so much! My serger is an industrial one and I'm sorry I don't know the brand... most industrial sergers are very similar though and you get a very consistent stitch compared to domestic - the space factor is a pain though! Domestic sergers are wayyyyy more convenient but you might have to pay a bit more to get a good quality stitch 😊

[@GatoradeCrash]

@@SlewLiving Omg thank you for the reply!! This was all very helpful information, since I’m in the market for a serger :o)

[@tuckermcdaniel1205]

Hi thanks for sharing your knowledge. I've just recently started hand sewing wallets keychains and watch straps... im interested in making some tank tops. I don't have any experience with machine sewing. What machine or sewing project would you recommend for a newbie like myself

[@SlewLiving]

That sounds cool! I would recommend borrowing a machine to begin with if you can. Most basic machines are very similar so if you can practise with someone else's before committing to your own, you could save some hassle! I would definitely recommend beginning with projects that only include straight lines and non-stretch fabric. So something like a hanky, or pillowcase is a good place to start. Then you can start to build on those skills 😀

[@nicholemurray4717]

Love your videos! I couldn't find where you said, what seam allowance you used on the neck and armholes?

[@SlewLiving]

Thank you! I generally use 8mm seam allowance on the neck and armholes to attach the binding, but you can also do 10mm so that you have a bit extra that you trim away 👍

[@monicaosorio2783]

Porque no has subido más vídeos

[@lindapasquali2670]

Love this tutorial. Where do you get your ribbing?

[@SlewLiving]

Thank you 😊 I bought this fabric from Bali but I think you can find it at most fabric stores. It's a 2x2 cotton rib

[@elisabarbosa5188]

This was great! What's brand of your overlocker?

[@SlewLiving]

Thank you! I don't know what brand my overlocker is sorry! It's lost the little plate which usually has the brand... It's just a standard 5 thread industrial overlocker I bought second hand 😊

[@lynetterene]

Hi.....thanks for sharing this.....much appreciated....fast question: Was the binding cut on the bias?

[@SlewLiving]

Hi Lynette, my pleasure for sharing! If you are using jersey or ribbed fabric the binding does not need to be on the bias since it has stretch 👌 You can simply cut it straight making sure your binding is in the direction of the stretch.

[@aheartofworship27]

Great question

[@karaleigh_eva]

I have just a basic tank top that I’m trying to modify to have this shape. Wish me luck

[@SlewLiving]

Good luck!

[@sapphirecarter2445]

Do you use bias binding tape for the neck and sleeves? and what stitch do you use to attach the binding?

[@SlewLiving]

I used the same stretchy fabric for the binding as I used for the rest of the top, and used the same zig zag or serger stitch to attach it 👍

[@operationsword9457]

Please make a vid on how to... A Y back tank top for men made from "wife beater material. (Waffle cotton) Love the WB tanks but they look trashy. Need something with a Racer Back, Y back for more sporty look... Thanks!

[@SlewLiving]

Great suggestion! I'll pop it down on my list 👍

[@potatosews5403]

Hi, just wondering, if you have experienced sewing the collar using a normal sewing machine than a serger. I find the collar that I sew doesn't seem to sit quite well on the tshirt. Are there any tips on sewing the collar using a normal sewing machine? thank you!

[@SlewLiving]

Hi there! Yes I think using a normal sewing machine is quite different to using a serger. If you use the zig zag stitch on a normal machine with the smallest stitch length and the widest zig zag width I think that's the best way to replicate a serger and hopefully get the best result! I did a video on using the zig zag for stretch fabrics so there might be some helpful tips in there😊

[@SlewLiving]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKacaWB8ZaaXebM That's the zig zag video

[@potatosews5403]

@@SlewLiving ohhhhhh! thank you so much!!

[@maryann1187]

You have to cut your neckband length smaller than the neckline. If your neckline is 20”, cut the neckband to 15-17 inches.

[@jenm7125]

Thank you, did you just serger everything, no sewing machine? Or did you do a straight stitch aswell?

[@SlewLiving]

I serged all seams with no straight stitch. You can only straight stitch using a coverstitch machine otherwise the stitches will just break when you stretch it!

[@michalabakes9174]

Is the fabric wrong side or right side when you cut it please x

[@SlewLiving]

Hi there! It won't matter if it's wrong or right side since the tank style is symmetrical. If you do happen to make an asymmetrical style, that's when it'll best to cut right side up! 😊

[@lindapasquali2670]

This is exactly what I’ve been looking to sew, but having trouble with ribbed material ... it is “wavy” after a seam or hem ... I’m using a Jersey needle, and a zigzag stitch, and polyester thread in a regular sewing machine. What am I doing wrong?

[@SlewLiving]

It sounds like the pressure foot is too strong (ie too much pressure), so it's dragging/stretching the fabric out as you're sewing. Adjust that if possible, otherwise be careful not to pull your fabric through as you're sewing, but instead try to help feed/push it through from the front. Hope that helps!

[@katiethorpe4187]

Does the binding need to be cut on the bias?

[@SlewLiving]

Not if you are using a stretch fabric (which for this style you should be)! But it does need to be cut in the direction of the stretch (ie. your strips of binding should be stretchy). Hope that helps!

[@nataliee56]

when you sewed the side seams at the beginning was the fabric facing right side or wrong side of the fabric?

[@SlewLiving]

Right sides together :)

[@nataliee56]

@@SlewLiving thank you!

[@OhAtropa]

Do you have to add the ribbing?

[@SlewLiving]

Without the ribbing the edges of your top will roll over time (not sit flat) and they will gradually lose their integrity and look raw. So they won't fray because stretchy knit fabrics don't tend to fry, but it won't look neat 😊

[@annakat2458]

I’m using a ribbed knit fabric to sew this, but i dont want it to be too thin with just one layer. Would you recommend doubling with these types of fabrics?

[@SlewLiving]

You can double thin knit fabrics but you have to be very careful to cut out your pieces exactly on the grain (ie. symmetrically in line with the direction of your rib lines) otherwise the finished top will warp and twist, making it not sit nicely when worn. Good luck!

[@annakat2458]

@@SlewLiving ohh good point! What if I double it and see the 2pieces together for each side then flip them right side out? (Rather than stitching them on top of each other if that makes sense) Could it still warp?

[@SlewLiving]

@@annakat2458 unfortunately it could still warp if you do it that way, it mightttt minimise warping but I'm not sure!

[@annakat2458]

@@SlewLiving ok, I just tried it with the single layer and it turned out fine!! Thank you so much for your tips! And if I may ask one last question (sorry!) How do you stop the thin fabric from getting caught when the needle goes through it?

[@SlewLiving]

@@annakat2458 oh that's great! You can try a smaller needle size for thin fabrics. But sometimes thin fabric will just get caught anyway unfortunately 🙄

[@jasminejadeyegambaram3058]

Hi, how many tops could you make with a meter? 🤔

[@SlewLiving]

Hello! It depends how wide your fabric is and what size you are taking. Ribbed fabric is generally quite narrow, so you may not fit more than 1 top. It's a good idea to bring the pattern with you when you purchase fabric then you can see!

[@StarlightMikka]

What is rib fabrics? Sorry if it’s a stupid question

[@SlewLiving]

Not at all, rib fabrics are a type of knitted fabric. You would commonly find ribbed fabric on the neckline or cuffs of a t-shirt. It looks like it has long lines through it and it is stretchy!

[@nishikasharma2517]

What type of cloth is this!?

[@SlewLiving]

This is a cotton rib 😊

[@stellamorgan1925]

You don’t show cutting the ribbing or the measurements for it which is confusing. Is it the same fabric as the shirt or do you buy binding. ?!

[@SlewLiving]

I show exactly how to achieve the ribbing and the measurements for it starting from 1:47. Perhaps you can go back and watch and listen again to the video for clear instructions. The only thing I didn't mention is that I used the same fabric as the shirt for my ribbing pieces, however I assumed this was clear from the visual.