Do you have lots of shirts that require a tank top underneath? Do you hate wearing bulky layers and trying to keep them all in place? Well, this simple tutorial is just for you. We're going to use an old shirt to make a tube top to go under your shirt.
A few months ago, when I made the Sassy Classy Dress, I kept the bottom of the shirt I had cut off. Well, I found a great way to use that extra scrap. Here we go.
1) Take your band of fabric and put it on like a tube top. Mark how much you need to take it in so that it will fit snuggly.
2) Take in the band by sewing one straight line down it.
3) Cut off the excess fabric.
That's it! I didn't even hem the other edge, since knit doesn't fray. I used the hemmed bottom of the shirt as the top of the tube top, to you already have a nice, finished edge that will show. If you don't have an extra t-shirt to use, you could still easily make this with less than a quarter of a yard of knit fabric.
I sewed mine tight enough that it stays tight to my body even when I bend over. I love not having to wear another full layer, especially with warmer weather on the horizon. Now I'm off to make them in some different colors!
Thanks for stopping by. You may have noticed I added a search bar on the side to make it easier to pull up older projects you're looking for. I also added a subscription link, so you can receive the posts in your inbox or follow them through an RSS feed. Hope that makes things more convenient for some of you. Have a great day!
What a fabulous idea! I'm not sure if this would work for my figure, but I'm willing to give it a shot!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this idea.
ReplyDeleteI will absolutely be doing this! I'm nursing my son still so I am always layering for easier "access". Great idea!
ReplyDeleteI am definitely going to have to try this!
ReplyDeleteI hope you don't mind, but I am making a post titled "Modified Monday" and will be linking back to this post with one of your images.
I had to do one of these for those really, really low-rise pants (WHO can wear those?), but did I think to do it for my top? No. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I HATE the bulk of layering. this is a perfect idea for me! Now I am off to see what I have in my closet that I can turn into a non camisole! :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea. Totally love it!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog btw! So many great ideas and awesome photos!
I've thought about making something like this before but never got around to it. I think it will make staying covered while nursing easier without having to pull a full layer up and then trying to get it back in place again after. I've been either pregnant or nursing someone for the last 5 years with no break in between so this should make my life much easier from now on :o) I'm actually nursing my 4 month old right now and typing with one hand :o)
ReplyDelete3sillymonkees.blogspot.com
3sillymonkees.blogspot.com
Terrific idea! I am constantly stuck wearing a cami and this will work much better in the summer months. Following you!
ReplyDeleteYou are so freakin' clever!
ReplyDeleteIngenious! I love it. I get so tired of my tank top straps showing and constantly pulling at my sleeves! Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteTHis is so great. I've actually done this too. My knit got all stretched out after the first couple of times I wore it. But, I am going to put a casing with some elastic trough the top, I think it will still be much more comfortable than wearing 2 shirts.
ReplyDeleteHi Cheri i gave you a trendy blog award over at my blog! Thanks for being such wonderful inspiration to me!!
ReplyDeletehttp://getcraftin.blogspot.com/2010/05/im-trendy.html
XOXO- Ana
very cute! thanks for the idea!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this idea! Especially being able to make it tight enough to stay against your chest when you bend over. I had a mastectomy last year (due to breast cancer) and now wear a prosthetic breast on one side (for now) & I'm super self conscious of my cleavage - or lack of. I can't wait to try this idea - Thank You so much!
ReplyDeleteLove the idea! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea!!! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog!
ReplyDeleteI actually made those a few months ago. I also use it for covering up when I have a short tee shirt or want more coverage along the waist line. It's like a long tank only less bulk. Love it!
You are a genius! :)
ReplyDeleteCan I say, you just became my hero. This is SO perfect for a nursing mom... like, ummm ME! I'm so sick of moving, pulling, tucking, and bunching all my layers so that I can feed my child. I'm making this TODAY!
ReplyDeleteExcellent idea! You look cute in pink.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely going to have to try this one, what a great idea.
ReplyDeleteEmily @ http://456eleven.com
That's a great idea! I can't stand having to wear layers in the summer...nevermind the extra annoying straps! (bra straps are bad enough ;-))
ReplyDeleteI'm really liking this idea! I like the fact that you said to make it pretty tight...good point! :) I really like the pink shirt you're wearing too! Sooo cute!
ReplyDeleteHow very awesome. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteLove this! I have got to make one! Featuring you this week! Come on over and grab a featured button! joy @ mommaskindacrafty@blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! Seriously.
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ TheTrainToCrazy.com
Thank you!! I'm on the shorter side - not quite petite, but not quite average. I've been having trouble finding camis that didn't hang down too far, thus not really covering anything more than the shirt did, or finding camis long enough so I wasn't pulling at the bottom all day long. Love, love, love this idea. As soon as my finals are done, I'm making them in black & white. Other colors to come... Thanks again!!
ReplyDeleteOh, brilliant!! I have a few t-shirts that fit too snugly as it is...I could totally hack them up to make tube tops.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
(I came via One Pretty Thing. :-))
I LOVE this! I made a few today, can't believe how simple it is. I linked you in my post.
ReplyDeletehttp://sunshinemamasite.blogspot.com/2010/05/scandlous.html
Great idea! I'm going to try it. :D
ReplyDeleteI actually have created something similar to this before. I dislike layering most of the time (especially during the summer), but with the fashions today, If I don't layer, I'm in big trouble with my modesty issues! This received the most views last week at the Whatever Goes Wednesday party at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com. I will highlight this today!!! congrads!
ReplyDeleteGenius! I love this idea. I live in Texas, which is just another word for HOT! I have so many tanks that I wear to keep the boobage in check, but like you said, one extra layer in summer is no fun. Even with my lousy sewing skills I could make this! Thank you so much for sharing this great idea!
ReplyDelete~Amanda @Looking Glass Jewels
I am a new follower, BTW! :)
I love this idea, but I also want to know where you got that hot pink shirt (or did you make it?). I LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteWow! What an awesome idea! I just showed it to my teenage daughter. She loved it! We're going to make a few. She has to layer a lot, and so does my 11 yo daughter. This will be so nice for them this summer. Thanks for the idea!
ReplyDeleteOH MY GOODNESS! I am SO making one of these SOON! I have LOTS of shirts I have to wear tanks with and its HOT in the summer! I would have never dreamed this would stay up with out elastic! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete~Bridgette
Thanks for posting this awesome idea. I am new to the whole blogging thing so I thought I would tell you that I featured this project on my craft blog.
ReplyDeletehttp://craftyhappylilme.blogspot.com/2010/06/anti-layer-tube-top-modest-checker-2010.html
It was super fun making and thanks again for sharing
Jana
This is such a great idea! I have so many shirts that I have to wear another tank top underneath of, and now I won't have to have that extra layer anymore! We are featuring you in our Weekend Wrapup! www.frugallynatural.org
ReplyDeleteIf you only knew how many low cut knit shirts I have ruined trying to sew something onto them, and it's just too hot here to wear another shirt under them. This is the perfect solution and I intend to make one very soon. I'm featuring it on my new blog tutorialsandpatterns.blogspot.com. Grab a "featured" button if you want.
ReplyDeleteYou can also buy a maternity support belt, (which is basically a stretch-material tube top) and use that. I got one from kohls for about 10 bucks
ReplyDeleteThank you from a very miserably hot (driest July in history) pregnant woman! I have a ton of older tanks I could use for this.
ReplyDelete