How to Make a Tube Top – Easiest Pattern You’ll Find!
Tube tops are a must-have for the summer months, and they’re perfect for layering under dresses and cardigans. They can be made plain or with a little ruching in the front for added interest, and all you’ll need is some stretch fabric and a little elastic.
How to Make a Tube Top – Supplies
Because there is no zipper or opening, the fabric must have at least a 25-50% stretch factor. Choose a light to medium weight fabric. If you’re on a budget, consider recycling an old t-shirt to make a tube top.
Taking Measurements
If you’re making a crop top, don’t measure your hips; instead, measure your overall length, which may end at your waist or hips; on average, this length will be 16 inches for a top that ends at the hips.
Making the Tube Top Pattern
Draw a straight line the length of your bust, ending the pattern at the waistline for a crop top, or at the hip for a longer top. The pattern below shows a top that ends at the hip; adjust the length to your preference.
Cutting
Cut two pieces, one for the front and the other for the back, then shape them.
Tips for Cutting Stretch
Before cutting, make sure your fabric is flat; pins can leave holes, so use pattern weights instead; cans from your pantry make inexpensive and effective pattern weights. When cutting out a tube top, use sharp scissors to avoid burring the edges of your fabric.
How to Make a Tube Top from a T-Shirt
How to make a tube top from a t-shirt. Recycling is great because it is inexpensive and helps the environment. The sewing instructions are the same as if the pattern had been cut from a flat piece of fabric.
Step 1 – Side Seams
Use a narrow zig-zag stitch on your regular machine with a stretch needle to sew the side seams. Zig-zag will stretch with your body and be much more durable. If you’re new to sewing stretch fabric, read more about how to sew stretch fabric.
Step 2 – Elastic
Sew the Top Elastic. Overlap the ends of the elastic by an inch and stitch to form a circle. Stitch the elastic to the edge of the top with a wide zig-zag stitch, such as one with a width of 5.0 and a length of 2.0.
Step 3 – Hem
Turn the raw edge up an inch (4cm) and zig-zag over the edge to make a hem; hemming tape will prevent puckering on really stretchy fabrics.
Step 4 – Finishing
If you’re having trouble deciding what color to put on your ears, nose, or mouth, add applique or ruching to your tube top.
How to Make a Top Pattern – In Conclusion
A great way to upcycle a tshirt or even a regular old t-shirt into something completely different from the norm is to make a tube top. It’s a quick and easy clothing project for all levels of sewers.
How can I make my tube top tighter?
Remove the original seam and re-sew the top to form a new seam, making the top tighter and thus helping it to stay put. Remove the original seam and re-sew the top to form a new seam, making the top tighter and thus helping it to stay put.
How can I keep my tube top in place?
- Layer A Shirt Underneath.
- Rubber Is Your Friend.
- Sticky Tape Is Second Best.
- Don’t Go Braless.
- Do The Bend And Snap.
How do you make a top out of a short?
Part 1: Upcycling Shorts into a Crop Top
- Step 1: Remove the legs, waistband, and pockets.
- Step 2: Cut out the side seams and back armhole.
- Step 3: Sew the side seams.
- Step 4: Hem the back armholes.
- Step 5: Bind the neckline.
- Step 6: Make the straps.
- Step 7: Sew the straps to the back.
What Stitch do you use to sew elastic?
Sew with a stretch stitch or a zigzag stitch to allow the elastic to stretch.
- Pin the elastic to the wrong side of the garment, matching the three pins on the elastic and on the fabric.
- Switch the elastic to the fabric, stretching the elastic between the pins.
Does ruching hide belly?
Draping and ruching are your friends. Draping (when the fabric is gathered and sewn down) and ruching (when the fabric is gathered and sewn down) are both effective ways to conceal extra weight in the tummy area. Too much gathered fabric at your tummy will make you look like you’re wearing a curtain and will add bulk.
What is the difference between ruching and shirring?
Ruching is a gathering technique that uses elastic thread to create a stretchy garment. Shirring is a gathering technique that uses elastic thread to create a stretchy garment.
What is tube top material called?
Tube tops are also known as strapless tops, but not all strapless tops are tube tops; a true tube top is a simple band of stretchy material that fits tightly around the torso and has little or no structure.