I’ve been sewing like crazy lately. A new fabric shop opened near my apartment in Bed-Stuy, and the nicest knit jersey they had was in nautical stripes. I’m still definitely a beginner sewer and I like projects that are quick and easy. What’s easier than a tank top? Here’s how I did it:

1. I bought a linen tank top at a thrift store for $3. I liked the fit and and cut, so this is what I used as my tank top pattern.

2. I laid the linen tank top on my fabric and marked it off. Tank tops and knit don’t have to be all that precise in my experience, so I just quickly made an outline around the existing tank.

3. I repeated step 2, so that I would you know have a back to my tank top as well as a front.

4. I sewed the straps and around the neck with a straight stitch, leaving maybe a centimeter of fabric left. This ended up creating a really neat raw edge around the neckline from where the leftover fabric flipped out. It looked great, so I left it (SEE MIDDLE PHOTO)!

5. Next, I sewed the side seams, leaving (as you can see in the yellow linen tank) pretty deep splits up the side. It shows a little skin, but I think it’s cute.

6. Last I sewed up the hem on the bottom, cut the threads and fit the tank. It was still a little loose in the armpits, so I went back around and sewed the side seams a little tighter. Voila. One step closer to a new summer wardrobe.