How to Make a Surplice or Cross-over Bust Tank Top

This little twist on a tube top is the perfect way to revamp a big t-shirt.

dress by SmarmyClothes.com

Difficulty:

04difficult


Step 1

Start out with your large-ish tee.

Mark like so.

The larger piece should have a top measurement to match under your bust. Grab a tape measure and measure right under your boobs.

Step 1
Step 1

Step 2

Cut the cross-over piece on the fold of your t-shirt.

Sew up the sides of the larger front and back pieces, as shown.

Step 2
Step 2


Step 3

This is what the cross-over piece looks like unfolded. It should measure slightly larger (3-6 inches) than your underbust measurement.

 

Step 3
Step 3

Step 4

Lay the pieces flat. Match the center back of the cross-over piece (where it was folded) and the center back of the ‘tube top’.

 

Step 4
Step 4

 

Step 5

Now fold the sides of the cross-over piece so it matches the width of the ‘tube’. Pin the center front where it crosses over itself and baste.

Step 5
Step 5

Step 6

Put the bust piece and the tube piece right sides together and pin.

Sew these pieces together.

Step 6
Step 6

Step 7

When you try it on, you may find that you need to add darts to the bust piece.

You can add straps or halter ties and any other embellishment that you’d like.

Done!
Done!


7 thoughts on “How to Make a Surplice or Cross-over Bust Tank Top

  1. Used this to craft the upper part of a dress, just finished it and LOVING it! Thank you very much!

  2. love the design and the bottom part is working out just dandy but as a 36 DDD, just adding six inches to the top peice isn’t cutting it. any suggestions?

    1. Hi Millie-
      This particular style as written is definitely friendlier to smaller bust sizes, but I think with a little modification it can work for larger sizes.

      First, I’d suggest measuring around the fullest part of your bust. (For example, we’ll say 38″.) Your top piece should measure several inches longer than that, so there’s enough extra to cross over in front. I’d make the top piece 10″ longer to start out with, so you’ll have 5″ of cross-over in front. You can take it in at the center back if you decide you want less cross-over than that.

      Next, you’ll need to gather the top piece to fit the bottom piece. I’d concentrate most of the gathers underneath each “boob”. šŸ™‚ I’ve marked where you want the gathers on this photo:

      Now you can assemble it the rest of the way, and hopefully it works!

  3. I am definitely not a seamstress so excuse my dumb question..but did you use 2 t-shirts for this dress with different fabrics because on the diagram it shows you cutting 2 peices out of 1 tee but in the pic there is 2 different fabrics?

    so cute……thanks!

    1. The dress used a t-shirt and fabric, but you can do whatever you want depending on what you have on hand. You could use only t-shirts, only fabric, or a combination of both.

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