Hello, and welcome to my second tutorial for a top. This one is quite different to the previous top tutorial since it’s a tank top and obviously doesn’t have sleeves. I actually made this out of deep blue satin scrap fabric I got from an internship I did a few years ago and the mesh fabric is from an old top of mine that I wasn’t wearing much. But now I have given the scrap fabric and my old top new life in this satin tank top with adjustable straps that forms part of my midnight fairy outfit.
You will need:
- chalk or a fabric marker
- fabric scissors
- 2m/2.2 yards fabric
- thread that matches your chosen fabric
- 1cm (0.4 inch) wide elastic for the under bust
- 2 foam removable bra cups (optional)
- 2 safety pins
- sewing machine
How to Cut Out Your Fabric Pieces for the Satin Tank Top
Step 1 – bust pieces
2 squares each side 18cm/ inches. Use a measuring tape to check on your own body for a suitable measurement. Remember it’s easier to make something smaller than it is to make it bigger.
2 long rectangles: each 90 by 3cm/ by 1.2 inches (for the under bust elastic channel)
2 more long rectangles: each 50 by 3.5 cm (for the adjustable straps
triangular pieces (for the bust lining) you can cut them out at a later stage
How to Sew the Bust Pieces
Step 1
Wear an unpadded sports bra and pin one of the 18cm squares at 3 of the corners as shown in the image below. Then create a large pleat in the centre and pin that too. Then remove the 3 corner pins and draw a curve. Cut along this curve and then unpin the pleat. This will give you the bottom part of the bust piece.
Step 2
Use your longest stitch length (on my sewing machine it’s no. 4) and sew 2 parallel lines of stitches along the bottom of each bust piece. Don’t backtrack or tie a knot at the beginning or end of your sewing. The 1st line should be 0.5cm/0.2 inches away from the fabric edge and then the 2nd line should be 0.5cm/0.2 inches away from the 1st line.
Pull on the loose threads to gather the bust piece until it fits nicely over your breast. For me I had to gather the bust piece until it was cm/ inches wide but this will be a different measurement for everyone.
Step 3
Now use the gathered bust pieces to cut out the triangular bust pieces. Then sew the removable pads to the wrong sides of the lining pieces.
How to Sew the Adjustable Straps
Step 1
Take the 2 long rectangles for the straps, fold them in half right sides together, and sew with 0.5cm/0.2 inches seam allowance. Then use a safety pin to turn them out and press so they lay flat.
Step 2
Now place each strap in between a bust piece and a lining piece right sides together at the point and then sew with 0.5cm/0.2 inches seam allowance. Turn the bust pieces out and press so everything lays flat.
Step 3
Cut off 4cm/ inches off of each strap end. These pieces will be used for the circle adjusters. Thread the short strap through the circle and then sew to secure the ends together.
How to Sew the Satin Top Together
Step 1
Take the 2 long rectangles for the elastic channel and sew each of them into a loop with 1cm/0.4 inches seam allowance. Then press each seam so they lay open.
Step 2
Use 1 of the elastic channel pieces and position the bust pieces next to each other. Then sew them to the elastic channel as close as you can to the fabric edges, making sure that the right sides are together.
Step 3
Now take the circle adjusters with the strap loops and position them on the other side of the elastic channel opposite the bust pieces. Then sew them to the elastic channel as close as you can to the fabric edges, making sure that the right sides are together.
Step 4
Take the other elastic channel piece and sew it to the elastic channel with the bust pieces and strap loops. Sew right sides together with 0.5cm/0.2 inches seam allowance. Then press so that the elastic channels are folded away from the bust pieces and strap loops.
Step 5
Take the bottom top piece and, assuming you aren’t using a piece of an old top like I am, sew it right sides together with 1cm/0.2 seam allowance.
You can also sew it using a French seam like this:
- First sew it wrong sides together with 0.5cm/0.2 inches seam allowance. Then trim off the excess seam allowance and press the seam closed with the right sides together.
- Now sew again this time with 1cm/0.2 seam allowance, hiding away the raw edges.
Step 6
Now sew the bottom piece to the top elastic channel piece right sides together with 0.5cm/0.2 inches seam allowance. Press the seam so it’s folded away from the bottom piece.
Step 7
Fold and press the hem of the bottom channel piece down 0.5cm/0.2 inches. Then sew it to the other channel piece and the bottom piece as close as you can to the folded edge, just leave a 10cm/4 inches gap for inserting the elastic.
Step 8
Mae sure that your elastic fits snugly under your bust but can still stretch over your hips. Then use a safety pin to insert it into the elastic channel and sew it into a loop. Then sew the elastic channel gap closed.
Step 9
Now take one of your strap pieces and thread it through the other adjuster piece and the circle piece as shown in the image below. Sew it closed. Repeat for the other strap and you are all done!
More Free Fairycore Sewing Tutorials
So I only have 1 other sewing tutorial for a top, which is the simple turtleneck with ruching side ties.
However, I have a free sewing tutorial for a simple slip dress with adjustable tie straps, made with the same fabric as my simple half circle skirt with pockets. I plan to wear this slip dress under the skirt to create another fairycore outfit.
If you are looking for another fairycore skirt here is my tiered maxi skirt pattern that also has an elastic waistband and pockets. So far I have one tutorial for a more formal fairycore dress which is the red satin slip dress with organza ruffles (and pockets of course!). And for a more casual fairycore dress here is a maxi dress with a ruffle at the bottom or the adjustable dress with a tie front.
And if skirts or dresses are too feminine for you, there’s always the free patterns for patchwork pants, simple shorts, or the summery trousers with ribbon side ties! All of those tutorials include elastic waistbands and pockets.
There is also the tutorial for flower cut-outs which are an easy way to upcycle an existing garment into something more whimsically fairycore.
And if you’re looking for quick & easy fairycore sewing project that you can gift or even sell look no further than the fairycore scrunchies.
Another Whimsical Sewing Pattern
If you’re looking for more sewing projects with fairycore flair here’s my patchwork hearts cushion, a quick sewing pattern you can whip up using fabric scraps to transform your décor from mundane to memorable.
DIY not AI
If you are sick and tired of being bamboozled by those too perfect AI images and want some inspiration from actual human beings, my Pinterest board, DIY NOT AI, awaits. This is the link, AKA magical portal, that will take you there. DIY NOT AI is also a group board that is OPEN TO CONTRIBUTORS!!! Whether you’re a crocheter, seamstress, knitter, or any other kind of DIY/handicraft creator this is The Place for you to promote your work to people who appreciate REAL quality over quantity. So what are you waiting for? Shoot me a dm on Pinterest to be added!
If you have any more ideas for sewing patterns you would like to see from me just let me know in the comments below!
Lots of love & light,
Maria