Finish your tank top with a binding
Intern Jo shows you a simple and easy way to finish necklines and armholes on a knit top by adding self-fabric binding:
In this blog
Cut the part where you want to add the binding (i.e. the neckline or the armhole) without seam allowance added.
Start by measuring the neckline on the front and back pieces. In my case the measurements are; 22 cm (9″) and 16 cm (6″). Add the numbers: 22 cm + 16 cm = 38 cm (15″).
The pattern is cut on fold, so you’ll need the amount doubled: 38 cm * 2 = 76 cm (30″).
Take away 10 %, so that the binding will lay flat when finished: 76 cm – 7,6 cm = 68,4 cm (30″-3″=27″).
Now add seam allowances to the ends, which makes the total length of the binding; 68,4 cm + 2 cm = 70,4 (27″+¾”=27 ¾”)
This is the same way for the bottom of the tank top.
For the armholes, you add the front and the back measurements, take away 10 % and add seam allowances.
I’ve chosen a width of my binding strip to be 3 cm (1 ¼”).
When cutting the bindings, make sure that the bottom part of your fabric is straight. Cut it on the cross grain of your knit fabric.
Cut the various bindings out.
Sew or overlock the ends together on the bindings, so that they each form a ring .
Divide the binding into 4 equal parts. The seam makes one corner.
Divide the neckline into four equal parts as well. The
Pin the binding to the neckline, right sides together. Align the seam of the binding to your
Overlock the binding to the neckline.
Flip over the binding to the wrong side of the fabric. The overlock seam will now be incased in the binding.
Sew with straight stitches in the ditch from the right side.
Cut of the excess fabric, and you’re done!
Tip – when adding bindings to the armholes, align the seam of the binding to the side seam of the tank top.
Now you can go crazy and add bindings to everything!
PS. this is just a shorter version of the tank top pattern, to use as little fabric as possible for this blog post, and not a fashion statement.
Enjoy.
