Home DIY Fashion Free Sewing Pattern – High-Low Tank Top
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Free Sewing Pattern – High-Low Tank Top

Top – handmade
Jeans – Levi’s Jeggings
Shoes – Loeffler Randall

A loose tank top is really handy for the warmer months ahead. I like how this one is long enough to cover my bum, so I can wear it with skinny leg jeans or tights without being self conscious. The longer side panels fall down to cover the hips, so it’s a very flattering design.  You can also wear this tank top tucked into high waisted skirts and pants.  This very retro fabric is from eBay; I knew I had to make something that was a modern cut out of this material, to avoid looking like a grandma.

About the Pattern

This is a very simple pattern I drew based on a tank top I already own. I wanted the billowing sides, so I added two side panels which are cut at 90 degree angles.  The panels are extra long to create an asymmetrical hem.  The construction is very simple – I used my overlocker, so if you don’t own one, you might want to consider finishing off the armholes using bias binding instead of simply folding.

The size is an Australian 8 to 10. That’s US 6 to 8. It’s quite loose, so I think that it might fit slightly larger sizes also. I suggest adjusting the width of the front panel if you want to make it for a slightly larger size.

Download the Free tank top pattern here.

Instructions

  1. Draw, trace and cut the pattern, adding on a 0.5cm seam allowance all round.
  2. Zig zag or overlock shoulders and side seams of each panel.
  3. Right sides facing, stitch front and back panel shoulders together.
  4. Right sides facing, attach side seams together.
  5. Finish off the armholes. You can either fold, iron and then stitch or use the rolled hem stitch if you have an overlocker.
  6. Finish off the hem. You can either fold, iron and then stitch or use the rolled hem stitch if you have an overlocker.

 

Rin is the founder of Sew in Love, where she helps busy women slow down and rediscover their creativity. She loves food from her Japanese heritage, coffee and bushwalking with her Aussie husband and two girls. More about Rin.

21 comments

regina November 10, 2011 at 4:28 am

This is gorgeous! I can see it under a cute cardigan. Love it and thanks for sharing!

Rin November 10, 2011 at 7:45 pm

Thanks Regina. Yep, under a cropped cardi might be just the thing to wear this out on a cool summer’s night 🙂

Stacy Sews - Diary of a Fabric Junkie » Blog Archive » Linky Thursday November 10, 2011 at 3:12 pm

[…] a shame the weather has turned cold, otherwise I’d make one of these Asymmetrical Tank Tops this […]

Justine March 30, 2012 at 2:16 pm

Hi, this is a great article with a great pattern! I was just wondering if the pattern is in cm or inches?

Rin March 30, 2012 at 2:29 pm

Thanks Justine – the pattern is in cm. We use cm in Australia and Japan 🙂

Daniele August 11, 2012 at 7:05 pm

Hi, indeed very interesting cut for a retro or african pattern. One question though, is it jersey fabric ? do you think I can use regular cotton (not too thick) ?

Rin August 12, 2012 at 11:24 am

Hi Daniele, no it’s not jersey, so there’s no stretch in the fabric at all. Thin cotton fabric should be perfectly fine.

Sinee January 27, 2013 at 5:56 am

what measuring system is it in the pattern? Imperial or Metric?

Rin February 5, 2013 at 8:02 am

Yes, it’s metric. I always use metric because that’s what is used in Australia and Japan.

Cass November 26, 2013 at 4:55 pm

I have a number of questions regarding ur measurements for this top. First, the measurement on the back piece bottom of armhole to shoulder tip says 7.5, this wont fit an adult sz 10. Am I reading it wrong? Also what is the measurement from centre back to bottom armhole? The back neck to bottom reads as 65.5cm plus the 2.5 to the shoulder makes the overall length 68cm. If the side seam is 50.5 from bottom armhole minus that from the 68cm less 1.5cm for the outer shoulder leaves us with a measurement of 16cm. I am assuming that is the measurement for the armhole, which leaves me confused as to what the 7.5cm measurement is?

Rin November 28, 2013 at 9:32 am

Hi Cass! The 7.5cm is the measurement to help draw the armhole curve. The widest point of the armhole (3cm) is at 7.5cm from the bottom of armhole. The measurement from centre back to bottom armhole should be around 15cm. You can adjust this width to fit you.

kia May 28, 2014 at 2:28 pm

i live in the Bahamas and it always sunny or hot, i will surely try this! thanks

Martina April 15, 2015 at 1:40 pm

Hi i love your Shirt and would sew it, but i can´t download die Pattern.
Greetings Martina

Rin April 23, 2015 at 11:55 am

Hi Martina

Sorry, the link seems to be broken! You can get the sewing pattern at: http://sewinlove_download.gr8.com/

Thanks,
Rin

Paulina August 28, 2016 at 11:29 am

Hi, Im not really familiar with this kind of pattern, and I was wondering if you have a tutorial about how to transfer this to paper? How do you actually trace it or how do you print it so it is on real size? Im very confused. Thanks

Rin September 19, 2016 at 7:58 am

Hi Paulina,

Sounds like quite few people are confused with this type of pattern. It’s very common in Japan. I will make a note to do a tutorial. Thanks for the suggestion!

Kayla February 28, 2017 at 2:42 pm

Hi I am trying to download this pattern and I can’t seem to receive the email! I checked my Junk, too. Is it still available?

Rin February 28, 2017 at 2:59 pm

Hi Kayla,

Yes I can see your email is in the system. It can take a few hours for the email to come through so please check again tonight.

Thanks,
Rin

Diana June 21, 2017 at 4:35 am

I seem to be as confused as everybody else on this pattern. I am seeing all the measurements, except for the one that shows the measure from the center of the front or back to the bottom of the armhole. I am assuming on the front piece that would be the 13cm total of the 9cm and the 4cm at the top? On the back piece it doesn’t show the cm’s from the end of the shoulder out to the bottom edge of the armhole? Is this correct?

Rin June 22, 2017 at 2:54 pm

Hi Diana,

I’m sorry you’re confused! It’s been a LONG time since I drafted this pattern (6 years in fact) so I’m having trouble remembering what I did.I think you are correct on the 13cm for the front piece. For the back piece, I would go for about 15cm between the end of the shoulder and centerline. But since it’s a pattern based on my size, I would do a test first before you cut into any precious fabric!

Rin

Karly Lusby April 9, 2018 at 9:04 am

Sadly I think I will have to unsubscribe since the patterns are so tiny. I have a 44′ bust (US 18/20) and I think adjusting the pattern that much makes it simpler to find another pattern. I’m sad because I really love the look of these garments. Please let me know when the sizes are expanded. Thanks!

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