How much fabric do I need?

How much 150 cm wide stretch fabric do you need?  Buy an amount the length of your tank top pattern plus at least an extra 20 cm for neckbands and armhole bands.   

(My  tank is 55 cm long, I bought 0.8 m)



How to Measure Fabric Stretchiness

To make sure your top fits, choose fabric that is at least as stretchy as your original tank top. 

This method may help you quantify how stretchy fabric is.  Pin a 100 mm crosswise fold of fabric.  Stretch it and measure how much extra it will go.  An extra 25mm means 25% stretch, an extra 50mm -50% stretch, 100mm - 100% stretch.  You get the idea...

Layout Tank Top

Fold fabric selvedges into the centre like this.  Lay pattern pieces on the fold and cut.  Cut a 4 cm wide straight piece off the bottom for neckband and armhold band. 

(Can be cut in same fabric or mine is in a white rib. You can cut it wider, for a thicker neck/arm band, but don't go any thinner - it's too hard to sew!)