How to Sew a Sleeveless Button-Up Top

Making the Pattern

• 1

  Cut the tank top at the seams so that you have two pieces. Cut the front piece into two pieces in the center. Write "S" for seam next to the side of the tank top that was the previous side seam.

• 2

  Work with the front of the tank top first. Place the half of the front piece onto the paper. Add space for buttons, at least 1 inch on the button side of your pattern. The shape of the side, neckline and bottom of the tank top will be the same. Determine whether you want more of the shoulder covered than what was covered by the tank top. If so, measure your shoulder and add the resulting measurement to just the shoulder of the shirt. Add 1/2 inch for a seam allowance around the edges of your pattern, and then cut out the front of the shirt. Use this pattern for the second side of the front by flipping it over and tracing it onto paper.

• 3

  Trace the back of the tank top onto the paper. The back of the tank top is higher to the shoulder blades than the front. Be sure that the shoulder pieces are the same width. Add 1/2-inch seam allowance around the edges of the pattern. Cut out the pattern.

• 4

  Mark "B" and "F" for the back and front on the pattern. Since you have changed a two-piece pattern into a three-piece pattern, differentiate between the two front pieces by calling them "F1" and "F2." Use the pattern to cut out the fabric.

Making the Sleeveless Top

• 5

  Pin together the three pieces of fabric at the side seams. Sew together, using a basic stitch and the 1/2-inch seam allowance. Iron open the seams so they lie flat.

• 6

  Pin together the three pieces of fabric at the shoulder seams. Sew with a basic seam stitch, allowing 1/2 inch seam allowance. Iron open the seams so that they lie flat.

• 7

  Turn under front plackets 1 inch and sew. Mark right and left side for buttons and buttonholes.

• 8

  Turn up and pin a hem around the raw edges of the fabric on the wrong side. Stitch edges. If you prefer, use an edging ribbon folded over.

• 9

  Add buttons and buttonholes to the marked areas of the front.