I’m posting this as Project Run and Play’s Spring Break week! Our Spring Break was last week, and although we didn’t go anywhere, I sewed up this tank top and these great board shorts. The shorts were from Peek a Boo Pattern Shop {affiliate link}, and I’m sharing the free tank pattern with you today. I love the two pieces together! Our favorite Spring Break or Vacation location is the BEACH! So I made this outfit to dream of those beach days ahead!
Join the Nap-Time Creations Pattern Group for support on this pattern!
We LOVE the beach… and we’ve been blessed to visit quite a few! Over Christmas we were in Palau, Chinese New Year in Dubai and we living Hong Kong where the beach is just a bus ride away. Here are a few recent beach photos:
Hong Kong January Beach morning.
Abu Dhabi
Dubai
Palau
Playing with the local kids in Palau
Guam {On the way to Palau}
Hong Kong warm day:
I used a old t-shirt of Dad’s to create the tank in this free tank pattern and real board short fabric for the shorts. It was my first time sewing a swim suit and I’m pretty pleased with the result. I was not pleased with the weather! We had some beautiful weather for Spring Break, but this week has been totally rainy! So, here are some rainy swim suit photos and the free tank pattern and tutorial.
Jack was not excited about posing in the rain… you can see he’s barely holding it together…I think this photo might be the only one that you can see the button detail on the pocket. It’s so cute!
Now, onto the free pattern. You will need a large or XL {or bigger} T-shirt, these pattern pieces and a neck ribbing. {use the original one from the t-shirt or one from another color shirt}
Free Tank Pattern Piece 1, Piece 2, Piece 3 {1/4 inch seam allowance included}
Long story short… my new computer isn’t compatible with my scanner software so I couldn’t figure out how to get all three pieces in one document… SORRY!
Cut out one front and one back on the fold, use the original shirt HEM to save time. {yes, my hem is NOT straight! Good thing its just a beach shirt} {ha!} Start by sewing the shoulder seams {1/4 inch seam allowance added to the pattern}
Measure your ribbing, cut it about 1 inch smaller than the shirt neckline. Sew the ribbing into a circle and fold in half.
Stretch and pin around the neckline. Sew, and top-stitch on the right side.
Finished the arm holes with a serger or zig-zag. Then sew the side seams. Finally, turn the edge of the arm holes under 1/4-1/2 inch and sew. Easy, simple and oh-so-CUTE! It’s that simple.
Pair this tank with these cool board shorts and your little man is ready for spring break or summer!!
I’ve shared a few other free patterns see:
And tons of the tutorial on my Sewing for Kids page!
Marni @ Haberdashery Fun says
Great idea. Looks easy to do.Thanks for the idea!
Emily says
it was easy! Hope you can use the free pattern!
Stephanie says
I love the colors you chose, and I’ll have to check out those shorts!
Annie says
So cute I love the boardshorts!
Emily says
I’m so happy with how they turned out!! Pretty good for my first attempt ;o)
Joy Candrian says
Thanks for the great ideas & free pattern, I’m sure I can scale it down one size, hadn’t thought of board shorts for my grandsons & I’m loving how yours turned out! I know what project I’ll be trying soon.
Emily says
YES! I’m sure you could size this down!!
Becka says
Looks like a fun day was had by all!! 🙂 I love the tank. 🙂
Annie says
Great outfit! The summery color combination is wonderful! So jealous you get to be at all those beaches!!
Emily says
We love the color too!!
Lisa says
I love the board shorts. They look great! All these beachy looks popping up (including mine, haha) Totally have me ready for summer… Shoot, it is snowing out there… Bring on Summer!
Emily says
ahhh winter be gone!!! ;o) Ready for summer!
Stacy @ The Land of K.A. says
Very cute outfit for your little man! I am sure he will get a lot of use out of them. I am jealous of all those countries you have visited, too. 🙂
Emily says
well, it helps the traveling when we already live in Asia ;o)
Audrey says
Eeeek, all these mom’s sewing swimsuits! I’m starting to get a non swimsuit complex! Love the board shorts, though. (P.S. Are you going to sew along with Challenge Create: Adult Edition? We’d be honored!)
Emily says
I know, so many suits ;o) I’m not sure about the skirt challenge.. I’d love too, but I will see ;o)
Maegen Foster says
How awesome that you included a free pattern! This outfit is super cute, I especially love those shorts! I’m sure he’ll love wearing them on your next beach visit!
Emily says
thanks! If I create a pattern for my project I’m always happy to share ;o)
Harmony says
Love those shorts! I love plaid swim shorts on boys…very cute!
Emily says
I know! Plaid swim shorts are the best!!
Terri Lin (Sew Straight and Gather) says
I love you photos’s! I miss the beach! Your outfit is fantastic I love the colors it’s just brilliant! Thanks for the pattern too!
Emily says
thanks for stopping by!! and hope you will be able to use the pattern.
Shecki @ Greatly Blessed says
Inspiring! I just got back into the sewing room after a long break, and I am hoping to make some summer clothes for my little ones soon.
Emily says
Summer clothes are so much fun, and pretty easy too!! Get sewing ;o) I’m working on a bunch of summer stuff now!
Ren says
Love this outfit! I’d love to see you join us this week at the Inspire Us Thursdays! link party.
Jenya says
A great outfit! Love the pic of your boys all covered in sand (or mud of some description) – priceless!
Emily says
it was a dark sand… looks like mud in the photos, but I “hope” it was sand ;o)
Kathi Riemer says
Thank you for the sweet family pictures and the tutorial. You could make a girl tank with mom’s t-shirt too I bet. I only have granddaughters.
Emily says
you sure could use this for a girls shirt too! Or turn the top part into a tank dress.
Yvonne says
Je recherchais un patron de débardeur. Je n’ai plus qu’à me mettre au travail. Merci