The Horizon Tank is a simple, modern muscle tank with an intentionally deep armhole. If that relaxed look isn’t quite your style, it’s very easy to raise the armhole for more coverage. And if you want a more dramatic drop, lowering the armhole is just as simple. Here’s how to customize the fit to make your perfect tank!
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Pattern Adjustments
Before adjusting your pattern, it’s helpful to know how high or low you want your armhole to be. Ideally, you’ve already sewn a Horizon Tank, so you can base your changes on real fit. But if not, you can still estimate a comfortable depth.
While wearing a fitted t-shirt or tank top, measure straight down from your high point shoulder to the spot where you would like the bottom of the armhole to sit, then subtract 3/8” (1 cm) to account for seam allowances. Write this number down - this is your desired armhole depth.
If you are raising the armhole, tape a piece of scrap paper underneath the armhole. Extend the side seam upward.
On the Front pattern piece, draw a vertical line straight down from the high point shoulder. Measure down your desired armhole depth (the number from the previous step) and draw a horizontal line toward the side seam. Where this horizontal line meets the side seam is your new armhole height.
Draw the new armhole curve, blending it smoothly into the existing curve. Once you are happy with the shape, measure how far up or down this new armhole is from the original armhole along the side seam. You’ll need this measurement when adjusting the Back pattern piece.
If you are raising the armhole, tape a piece of scrap paper underneath the armhole. Extend the side seam upward.
Using the measurement from the Front piece, measure up or down from the original armhole on the Back pattern piece and draw a new armhole curve, blending it into the original shape.
Place the Front and Back pieces together at the side seam, overlapping them by 3/8” (1 cm) to account for seam allowance, and check that the armhole flows smoothly from front to back without any sharp angles or jogs. Double-check that the side seam is the same length. Make small adjustments as needed to create one continuous curve.
That’s it! With your new armhole shape in place, you can continue sewing your Horizon Tank exactly as written in the instructions. It’s great to customize this pattern to your specific needs so that you can make it again and again and have the perfect workout tank!
The Horizon Tank is free for our newsletter subscribers! Sign up to receive this free pattern.
