Surfer Tank – FREE tank top pattern!
Today I’m over at Our Chez Nous, helping Julie celebrate Boy Sewing Week! We all know how much I love sewing for boys, so I couldn’t pass this one up. Head over there to hear my thoughts on summer wear for boys. And as part of Boy Sewing Week, I have a free tank top pattern to share! The Surfer Tank is available in sizes 3-6. While it’s drafted for boys, you may find it appropriate for your girls too!
The Surfer Tank is a pretty quick sew. I sewed these three tanks, as well as the three pairs of shorts in the picture, in a day and a half (while somehow managing to not ignore my children in the process ;)
It’s been pretty warm lately, with a few really HOT and humid days, so my boys have been in need of some more tank tops.
For this pattern, you’ll want to use a knit fabric that isn’t super thin. While that’s comfortable to wear, that can make the binding trickier to sew, so I don’t recommend it. Because the tank is a slightly looser fit, you can use a knit that has between 10-30% stretch. You can use ribbing for the bindings, but I like to use a fabric that’s similar to what the tank is made of.
Are you so excited to sew a Surfer Tank?! :)
Download your FREE Surfer Tank Pattern here
1.Cut out the front and back of the tank top – these will use the same pattern piece, but the front of the tank will use the lower neckline.
2. Put the front and back pieces right side together. Sew the shoulders together.
3. Sew down the side seams.
4. Cut out the binding pieces. Measure around the armscye/neckline. Take 85% of that number to get the length of your binding. The stretch of the fabric should go lengthwise. (If your fabric is super stretchy or a lot stretchier than the main fabric, you may have to use 80%) Each piece should be 1 1/4in. wide. Take the bindings pieces and fold them right sides together, sewing the short ends together.
5. With right sides together, pin the binding to the armscye/neckline. You will slightly stretch the binding.
6. Serge or zig-zag the fabrics together.
7. If you are not using a coverstitch, you will bring the binding to the wrong side of the dress, folding the raw edge under. Use a double needle to stitch it in place.
If you are using a coverstitch, it’s not necessary to fold the raw edge under.
Repeat these steps with both armholes and the neckline.
8. Hem the bottom of the tank top using a 1/2in. hem.
And show off those pipes!!
My boys are ready for summer fun in their Surfer Tanks!
So very cute. I’ll have to try this out on my two kiddos (who are actually 3 & 6) :-) Thanks
Thank you! My son has been asking for tanks!