Sewing ribbon on stretchy tank top

[wmfjones75]

I want to make my daughter a ribbon tank top, but can't figure out how to attach the ribbon since the shirt is so stretchy. I'm afraid if I stretched it out and sewed the ribon down, it might pucker if she doesn't completely fill it out? Do I need to use something under the ribbon or just sew directly to the shirt? Any advice and suggestions are much apprecaited.

[Tonya]

What I would do is have her try on the tank, measure exactly how long the ribbon should be (with a bit to tuck under at the ends so it looks nice), pin where the ends and middle of the ribobn should be, carefully take the tank back off, and then do some fill-in pinning between the middle and ends of the ribbon. As you're sewing stretch the tank out just enough to match the fit the ribbon and it should fit just right when you're done.

When in doubt, do as much fitting as you can on the person the garment is meant for. That way it'll always fit.

[sarda9999]

I wouldn't stretch the front at all-the ribbon won't lay flat if you do. As long as the back is free with no ribbon, that will stretch when she puts it on. I don't know if you need the total directions for a ribbon t but it's the same for a tank, no matter how stretchy. I can't make any ribbon t's with pins, it never works for me, so I cut the ribbon the size I want to fit across the front of the t and then use wonder tape to attach it to the tshirt and then sew. When you wash the t, the wonder tape will dissolve, it is truly a wonderful thing I've tried not to use it and I can't do it. I got it at JoAnn's-little expensive but worth it and wait for a coupon or for notions to go on sale for 50%.

[mommieze]

this is how i would do it..

Treat it as if the ribbon were an applique.

Make sure you wash the tank first.

I would use a little wonder under to iron the ribbon to the shirt first.

Then use a little stabilizer( either tear away or wash away) to put on the backside and then stitch the ribbon to the shirt.

I prefer the wash away so you don't accidentally rip the stitching out when removing it.


If you are just doing across the front too- you might want to open the seams of the tank a little on each side to put the ribbon ends through. THen stitch the ribbon ends back into the seam and serge or finish the seam.

HTH

[tanyat]

This is how I do it and it eliminates all the stretching..I use iron on stabalizer- turn the shirt inside out and use a strip that is the length of the front of the shirt and then however wide you intend to make the ribbon. iron it on and then turn back right side out and pin your ribbon and sew.. this eliminates stretching of the shirt.
Tanya