Free Tank Top Patterns for Kids

I'm always very grateful when pattern designers release a few patterns free. If nothing else, it enables you to decide which designers to follow. I don't want to start by shelling out for a pattern that doesn't work! Some people are not designers at all, in the sense that they don't sell their patterns; they are, like me, doting Grandmas or Mums (or Moms, in the US), who like making children's clothes, and to share what they can.

I've made a few tank tops in my time - perhaps not as many as other people, because some of my grand-daughters (or their mothers) like to keep their shoulders covered. But in the course of doing this, I've found a few patterns that have worked for me.

 Here's my most recent effort - the straps are not  really as lop-sided as they look!

To find my favourite free PDF tank top patterns, read on.

(Please ignore the little code numbers at the side. These are my reference numbers on my spreadsheet to ensure I can find where I've stored my patterns again!D is for dresses and tops, and T is for T shirts, so I have Ds and Ts here!)

Starting with babies, here are a couple of ideas for little tank tops.

This little pattern from Dana Made It would be suitable for both girls and boys. It has separate straps made from bias binding, which form a continuation of the neck and armhole bindings. I haven't tried this (my grandchildren are all now past babyhood) but it looks simple, and her other patterns work.  For 6-12 months, though I think it could easily be scaled up or down a bit. There are versions with tie straps (one or two) as well as this no-tie version.  (D21)

The next one, from I Candy, is described as a Tiny Tank Dress, so perhaps is more suitable for girls! This style has elasticated gathers into straps, and comes in 6-12 months. Again, easily adapted to a slightly smaller or larger size. (D36 - also D141) 

Small Dream Factory's Boy tank is free in sizes 6 months to 2T. (Larger sizes are available but not free.)

I haven't found any patterns specifically aimed at younger babies, but do look at the Sew Its Made pattern below - although it goes up to age 7, it has several infant sizes as well.

Moving up to toddler age now, one I liked a lot was this Swing tank for toddlers from True Bias. Although this only comes in size 2, I had no diffculty in scaling it up. I made this (sizing up to fit) for my 3 year-old grand-daughter to match the maternity top I made for her Mum while expecting her little sister. It is a stretch jersey fabric. I was very tight on fabric after making the maternity top, so there is a join across the front - I defy you to see it! (T22)

Maybe it doesn't look that small? Here it is next to Mamma's maternity top.

Now for some patterns for older chldren (though several of them do also start at 12 or 18 months). As you get into the older age groups, some patterns are primarily aimed at boys and are more what I would describe as vest type - loose fitting, often with wider straps. On the whole, the ones described as being for girls tend to be tighter fitting, often with narrow straps.  But for my grand-daughters, we, and they, never really made much distinction between boys' and girls' clothes anyway. So do what you like!

First, one of my favourite designers, Emily from Life Sew Savory. (You will also find links to Naptime Creations through Bluprint, through whom Emily sells (or makes free) her patterns.) She has free tank top patterns for boys and girls.

For boys: 
Boys tank pattern age 18 mos to 10 years, Naptime Creations / Life Sew Savory  2017
(T37a) 
 Tank pattern for boys age 5/6 Naptime Creations / Life Sew Savory 2014. Ths may in fact be an older v ersion of the above. (T37b). 
For girls:
Girls free tank pattern Naptime Creations / Life Sew Savory 18 mos to 6 years 
(D65a)

Emily also has a nice sundress idea,  using that same girls' tank pattern - hence in the same sizes 18 months to age 6. (D66)

Here are one or two more you may like to try. 

As well as their Tiny Tank Dress above, I Candy have a boys' tank top. This comes (only) in age 6-7, and is a loose fitting vest type. (T38)  

Sew its Made have a nice tutorial accompanying their free PDF pattern in ages newborn to 7. (T50)

For a free racer back pattern, it's worth looking at this one from Aefflyn. Yes, it's not in English. But Google Translate can help you with downloading, and the diagrams are so easy to follow. It doesn't give year age sizes, but in European style, the sizes are in centimetres, with 6 sizes from 74cm to 140 cm. 74cm would be about 9-12 months, 140cm about age 9-10 - but of course you knew that! (T46)

There is also a 'Girls' Singlet' offered by Small Dream Factory, in sizes from 6 months to age 14 years, just a simple front and back joined  with ribbing bindings. All sizes are free at present.

And finally: sometimes I like to try  a new pattern, so my most recent tank top project was the Lemon Grass tank from Paisley Roots,  from the Crazy Little Projects web site. (T47) It comes in sizes 4/5 - 10-11.

You can read about the one that I made using this pattern, here.