Cotton+Steel Tiny Pocket Tank

Posted on August 25, 2015 by oliver's fancy

I’ve made a few tiny pocket tanks (this chambray+art gallery one from last year is one of my faves) and wanted to make another one for this summer. I picked up this cotton+steel double gauze for a steal at pink castle fabrics (looks like they’re sold out of this one now, sorry) when they were running a 40% off apparel fabrics sale earlier this year. I knew this would be the perfect fabric for a summer tank as it breathes so nicely!

I made the tank (pattern- tiny pocket tank) in a size 8 but angled the back pattern piece over the fold about 1/2″ at the top- gradually angled down to nothing mid-way down the back- because I remembered that I’ve had shoulder gaping with this pattern in the past. I ended up taking out too much width as it’s a bit tight across my shoulders, but still wearable- especially after I wore it a few times and stretched out the double gauze a bit.

Another mod I always make to this pattern is to raise the neckline by about 1.5″ so that I don’t have to wear a tank under it. Otherwise, it ends up too low for me. I didn’t do a super good job hemming it as you can see in some of these pics, it flips up pretty badly. But if I give it a good ironing, it will stay down better. Ha, who am I kidding that I’m ever going to iron this, though? 😉

I actually made this tank at the beginning of the summer and just now got around to taking pics of it. I do so love how cool and breezy it is. I’m never 100% sure that these types of flowy shirts are flattering on me because I feel like the billowing around the waist makes me look bigger than I am, but I still like to wear them because they are so comfy. I did end up taking the sides in about 3/8″ starting right below the bust to the hem to take a bit of the width off. Basically I have an 8 in the top and grade it down to between a 4/6 in the hips. I just can’t get enough of all the cotton+steel lines and I love that they are producing fabrics in so many different substrates. Makes it so fun to try more and more garment sewing.

Cow Appreciation Day 2014

Posted on July 25, 2014 by oliver's fancy

I’m back to share with you the other project that I sewed in advance for Kids Clothes Week. It feels kinda like cheating to share something I made 2 weeks ago but an hour a day is the same even if it’s completed before the actual sew along week, right? I knew I wouldn’t be able to get much done this week and I couldn’t not have something to share! I think this one goes well with the kid art theme too since the tank graphics look like kid writing. flashbank tanks v2 (2 of 7)

Every year in July Chickfila hosts what’s known as Cow Appreciation Day where if you dress like a cow, you get free food. We are a bit of Chickfila addicts around here so this is one of our favorite days of the year! Continue reading →

Chambray+Meadow Tiny Pocket Tank

Posted on June 9, 2014 by oliver's fancy

In my previous summer sewing post, I alluded to the fact that I had finished one of the items on my first wish list and here I am to share it with you. I am pretty pumped about this tank because it was one of those ideas that I had in my head and it actually turned out as well as I had pictured! I have seen a couple of color-blocked tanks and tank dresses around the inter webs (Sew Caroline has a version here) and really wanted to make a version of my own. I made one of these tanks last year, (blogged here) had some trouble getting it fitted correctly since I had just recently birthed a baby and my body was a bit out of proportion. V. happy to report I re-measured myself for this tank, was able to go down several sizes this time, and ended up with a much better fit! Yay for body normalcy finally returning.

Pattern: Tiny Pocket Tank by Grainline Studios, size 8.

Continue reading →

Summer Sewing, Grainline Studios Edition

Posted on May 30, 2014 by oliver's fancy

I have seen several other bloggers (Sew Caroline, for one) do a little collage of sorts to detail their seasonal sewing plans and thought I would follow suit. I have been slowly collecting apparel fabrics and patterns to beef up my handmade wardrobe the last few months and have actually have purchased all of the fabric/patterns that I show you. Meaning there should be nothing keeping me from actually making this clothing; except for that little thing called time and the two little people wanting some attention at my house 🙂 . It’s all about balance, folks…always a work in progress. I’m hoping that actually posting these collage ideas online will keep me a little better organized and motivate me to actually get them done! Kind of an online to-do list of sorts. Here’s the first one…note: the top is not necessarily meant to be worn with the shorts.

Maritime Shorts Pattern by Grainline Studios, Fabric: It’s a Plus Canvas in Gray- purchased at Pink Castle Fabrics but sold out now, Robert Kaufman Interweave Chambray in Sorbet– purchased at Fabric.com

Tiny Pocket Tank Pattern by Grainline Studios, Fabric: Geos in Deep Marina purchased at Pink Castle Fabrics

Hmm, this unintentionally turned into a Grainline studios sewing list. I highly recommend her patterns for those who are looking for good women’s patterns. Also, I enjoy expanding my indie pattern designers list and would love to get some more ideas! Do you have a summer sewing list? Care to share?

Tiny Pocket Tank

Posted on August 28, 2013 by oliver's fancy

I have been searching for a cute tank pattern for a while. I have been debating on the wiksten tank but from the ones I have seen produced, wasn’t certain that would be a flattering pattern for me. Enter the Tiny Pocket Tank. I starting following Sew Caroline on Instagram a while back and love all the TPT versions that she has sewn so I decided to take the plunge. By the way if you need any selfish sewing inspiration, she is amazing!

The Pattern: Tiny Pocket Tank from Grainline Studios. Highly recommend Grainline Studios Patterns after trying two of them. (Review of Maritime Shorts pattern here.) I really want to try the Archer and Lakeside Pajamas patterns also but am resisting the urge to buy more patterns right now. We shall see how long my self-control lasts.

Fabric: A Joel Dewberry Voile I picked up for ridiculously cheap at a fabric sale. I have determined voile is the perfect fabric for the tank! I only wish I had more voile because I want to make a ton more of these tanks! I have worn this one almost non-stop since making it!

Other comments: I made a size 12 based on my bust measurements. I recently bought some Swedish tracing paper (Amazing stuff, my friends!) and used it as my muslin. When I did, I realized that the back would gap at the top and the sides were too billowy. But thankfully the bust darts were good. When I cut out the shirt I moved the back pattern piece over 1 inch, angling down to be even with the fold line at the bottom and that made the top perfect. I took in the sides a bit as well- basically graded them down to a size 8 at the bottom. It’s not perfect, but it works. I am still learning how to fit myself up top and could really use a class in that!! Wishing we had someone in town who taught classes like that…so jealous of those living up in Ann Arbor and attending all the cool classes at Pink Castle Fabrics’ new digs!I see myself making quite a few more of these tanks to wear under cardigans this fall! Hopefully I will get the fit even better with the next ones.