Babydoll Tank Top Sewing Patterns – Sewing Projects Spring/Summer
Babydoll tank top sewing pattern – This babydoll tank top is an easy sewing project. Over spring break I did a few sewing projects with my granddaughter. We picked up a cute spring/summer top pattern.
She wanted to pick up where we left off and practice her sewing. Moving on from sewing basics to sewing zipper pouches and now on to learning how to sew a top for spring and summer weather. She practiced sewing babydoll tops.
Are you ready to sew a top for spring or summer? If you answered yes, I know this post will help you!
Sew Spring Tops and Summer Tops!
We purchased a babydoll tank top sewing pattern on Etsy and made the cutest tops. The materials we used were: Cotton fabrics like this and poly cotton blends like this, that we picked up at Joann Fabrics and Amazon. Below are a few tips about using the sewing pattern. And how it worked out for us.
I love it when fashion, style, and sewing come together.
History of Babydoll Tops
Similar garments with the term babydoll dress were from the 1900’s. Then in the late 1950s a popular movie, “BabyDoll” where actress Carroll Baker was featured wearing a a short, loose-fitting nightgown with an empire waist, similar to the silhouette of the babydoll top. And the term stuck with the style. (reference Google Gemini)
In the ’70s (my teen era) boho styles: Romantic, bohemian, and peasant styles were popular. My mom stitched up patterns by McCalls and Simplicity making me plenty of babydoll tops. I wore these styles as a teen. Little did I know it would be full circle with my granddaughter wearing these same styles and me helping her sew them!
Now, we have been seeing this trend popping up again. Some are calling them the Brandy Melville Mock Tank Top.
Brandy Melville Mock Tank Top Pattern
I purchased this Brandy Melville Mock Tank Top Pattern (it’s a PDF babydoll tank top pattern).
Tips For Sewing a Babydoll Tank Top
About the babydoll top sewing pattern:
It is pretty straightforward to use.
- Read and Follow the Instructions.
- Download, print it, and tape pieces of the pattern together.
- Pin and cut out the fabric pieces.
- And then sew the top together.
- Add straps and finish the top.
There is a short video file to help you. I have added sewing tips below along with helpful videos in case you are a beginning sewer. Or may need to learn a technique like shirring before starting this sewing project. It is overall easy to sew and has no zippers to put in or button holes to make.
This is the same pattern! Swapping out the fabric, lace, and trims makes for a completely different style of babydoll top!
We purchased about 1.50-2 yards per shirt. We got a little more fabric if we were using fabrics with lines or patterns that needed to be matched up. With our extra fabric; we plan on making hair ties or a small bag for summer.
Sewing Tips
- Place the pattern pieces against your body to ensure the pattern size is correct (for your size).
- Practice sewing the shirring on a scrap piece of fabric (use the video tutorial below if you haven’t sewn the shirring before).
- New, to sewing? Make one in budget-friendly fabric (or muslin), then use your more expensive fabrics.
- Use a variety of lace trims, daisy lace trims, sunflower lace trims… Along with different fabrics and fabric pattern designs to get a variety of looks from one sewing pattern.
- You can make the straps from the fabric for the top (directions included in the pattern) or use lace and trims!
- If you use the larger pattern pieces use all large pattern pieces not just the top. Make adjustments after it has been sewn (if you don’t like it too flouncy).
- Use a zig-zag stitch to attach thin lace or trims. Do this using a neutral color where it won’t show.
This is a beginner to intermediate sewing pattern. You will need basic sewing skills, plus be familiar with reading a pattern, laying out fabric, and sewing terms and techniques. With that said, if you are a beginner, have a seasoned sewer you know to help you, and have had a few sewing projects under your belt, you will be fine! By the second top, I hardly had to help my granddaughter sew it.
Tutorials to help you sew the pattern
The back of the shirt is shirred using Dritz elastic thread (this is the kind I use). Or this elastic thread that comes in a black elastic thread and white elastic thread. View the sewing tutorial below. It is much easier to do than you think!
- Video Tutorial For How To Sew With Shirring Elastic
- 14 Things To Know For Beginning Sewers
- Ultimate Beginners Guide To Sewing (backstitching, right and wrong side of fabric, finish hem, unfinished hem, stitching, bias…)
If you have broader shoulders or a broad back opt to size up in the pattern. This pattern could be altered for bigger sizes. That is if you know anything about sizing up a pattern. With that said I am not sure if a large is a women’s large at all. Maybe junior size 9/11? I hope that helps you.
- New here? Be sure to Subscribe.
- Pin it for Later
- Follow us on Pinterest
- Shop our favorites on Amazon
Similar Patterns Designed For Women’s Sizes
Shop Sewing Patterns
Babydoll Tops and Babydoll Tank Top Patterns on Etsy!
Additionally, I went to Etsy and picked our favorite babydoll top patterns to sew! I know this will help you find one to make for yourself. Some of the sizes are inclusive. Read pattern details. Make sure to get the right pattern for your skill level. I added plenty of beginning sewing patterns for tops in the gallery. View the list of patterns with images and reviews here (Babydoll Top Patterns).
Brandy Melville HBO Documentary Brandy Hellville The Cult of Fast Fashion
I didn’t even know who Bandy Melville was! Then I decided to find out who this was…since I was making the sewing pattern. A documentary on HBO will be released on April 9th, about the fashion brand, styles for young women… Wow, I did not know that behind the brand was a guy! Or other things about this brand.
This will be interesting to view: HBO documentary (this is the trailer for it) about the company (and the owner), and the style of clothes that were/are for young, thin, teen girls. Read the comments about the documentary on Reddit.
What is the last thing you sewed?
- New here? Be sure to Subscribe.
- Pin it for Later
- Follow us on Pinterest
- Shop our favorites on Amazon
Sewing Books Worth Owning
- Creative Kids The Complete Guide To Sewing
- Martha Stewart Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts
- The Best of Sewing Machine Fun for Kids (book) we have used
- School of Sewing: Learn it, Teach it, Sew Together
- Sewing School: 21 Sewing Projects Kids Will Love to Make
- Designing Clothes with the Flat Pattern Method (altering and pattern making)
- Hand Embroidery – Hand Sewing Magic
- Seasonal Flower Embroidery
DIY Sewing Projects
- DIY Crop Top easy sewing project or use the no-sew instructions that are included in the post.
- No-Sew DIY – How to make a mason jar pin cushion.
- Sewing Pattern Love and School House Tunic (updated images coming soon)
- How to Sew a Pocket
- Sew a tote bag for kids! Tote Bag For Kids Sewing Pattern.
- Teaching Kids to Sew
- Teaching Kids To Sew: Creative Kids The Complete Guide To Sewing
- Make Your Own Fabric and How to Make Zipper Pouch Tutorial *
- 10 Zipper and Non-Zipper Pouches
- DIY Lunch Bag
- DIY Zipper Installation For Box Pouch
