How to Sew Doll Clothes - Binding a Tank Top

American Girl Tank Top from valspierssews Collection of Basic Knit Tops
1801 Knitfit Lucy

Every time I think I am finished with my collection of basic knit tops doll clothes pattern I find something else that I need to try out.

The tank top was meant to be straight forward but I realised that there were several ways to add binding to the neck and armholes and I had to test out each one. Each binding is made from the same type of fabric as the tank top.

1. Double Fold Binding 
2. Single Fold Binding
3. Easy Fold Binding

Double Fold Binding

This is like quilt binding. You fold the binding in half and stitch it onto the wrong side with a 1/8" seam allowance. Press it flat then fold the binding to the front so it covers the seam allowance. Stitch it with a straight stitch close to the seam. I used a 1 1/8" wide strip.

Fold the binding n half and pin to wrong side of top

Fold to right side and stitch down enclosing the seam allowance

Doesn't look to bad.

Pros:

• Looks good
• The folding process is easy
• Gives a neat finish to the inside
• Gives a nice firm edge.

Cons:

• More bulky than the other methods
• The 1/8" seam is a bit tricky to stitch.

Single Fold Binding

This is like regular bias binding. You fold and press it in half lengthwise. Open it out and stitch it to the wrong side with a 1/4" seam. Press it flat over the seam allowance. Fold in 1/4" then fold the binding over the seam allowance. Stitch it close to the fold with a straight stitch. I used a 1 1/4" wide strip.

Stitch with a narrow zig zag right side down on the wrong side of the top.

Fold in the raw edge then fold over the seam allowance.

Just the neck band is done using the Single Fold Method

Pros:

• Looks good
• Gives a neat finish to the inside

Cons:

• The folding process is a bit tricky because you have to fold it over twice.

Easy Fold Binding

I didn't know what this one was really called but easy fold seemed to make sense compared to the other two methods. Place the strip and tank top right sides together and stitch with a 1/4" seam. Press the binding up over the seam allowance. Fold it to the back checking that the raw edge goes past the stitching line and pin it on the front. Stitch on the front with a straight stitch close to the seam line. I used a 1" wide strip for this method.

Stitch with narrow zig zag right sides together

Fold the binding to the back and stitch on the front

Raw edge on the back

Only the armhole binding is done with the Easy Fold Method

Pros:

• Looks very neat and flat on the outside
• Very easy to do.

Cons:

• Gives a raw edge on the inside

My Conclusion

If you want to make lots of tank tops for your doll method 3 Easy Fold Binding is by far the best method to use.

If you have to have a neat finish on the inside methods 1 or 2 are good.

If you want to use woven bias binding as a contrast then method 2 Single Fold Binding is probably best.

What do you  think? Do you have a favourite method? Maybe even a different method!

Leave a comment with your thoughts.

Happy Sewing,

Val