We are at the tail end of a heatwave here in Portugal, and last week was kind of a doozy. But luckily, I made so many nice tank tops over the past few months and was prepared!
I always feel weird making a whole new blog post for patterns that I’ve already made, so this is a round-up of tank tops I’ve made many times, but wanted to share my newest ones with you too.
Anna Zoe – Tabitha Tank
I cannot shut up about this pattern. The Tabitha Tank is just so good. Anna recently re-released the pattern with some changes, but I’ve gotta be honest–I liked the first version better. The awesome thing about 2.0 is that she expanded the size range (up to 66 bust/69.5 hips)!
Version 1 was tapered at the side seams, but this new version is just vertical straight down for all sizes. If you fall into different sizes for your bust/waist/hip, it might be a good idea to grade between the sizes.
Example: In version 1 I made the size 12-B cup and the finished measurements were 42″ at the bust, 49″ at the hips. But in version 2 for roughly the same size (large), the finished measurements are 42″ bust and 42″ hips. So, I lose the ease that I used to have at the hips. But that’s a fairly easy fix and one that I will probably do in the future so that the fabric isn’t so snug at the hip and lays nicer.
The band width also changed in version 2. Now the armbands are a little bit narrower than the neckband. But personally, I really like when neck and armbands are the same width. So again, another really easy thing to fix to fit your preference.
This blue Tabitha is a 100% cotton slub jersey, and I was worried the bands would stretch out doing the regular attachment method shown in the instructions. So, I followed the trusty method that I learned from Megan Nielsen’s neckline binding tutorial for both the neck and arm bands. If you’re using really thin fabric, I like using this method. It worked out really nicely and after I washed it the fabric bounced back a tiny bit.
I think I came really close to my inspiration images, especially the one on the left! I really love a casual, comfortable tank top that I can throw on and feel put together and this pattern does that for me. If you didn’t know already, it’s a free pattern when you sign up for the Anna Zoe newsletter.
Paradise Patterns – Blomma Tank
I whipped up this Blomma Tank about a couple of months ago and love how it turned out! I made my normal size with no adjustments. This ribbed knit is, sadly, sold out.
I’m really proud of the stripe placement. I wish I would have had a matching pink thread for the neckband and armbands, but you can’t see it all that much, and I was just happy to get this finished so that I could wear it.
This is also a free pattern when you sign up for the Paradise Patterns newsletter.
Sommar Camisole – Paradise Patterns
After my Sommar Camisole blog post I couldn’t stop and broke out my pile of cotton jersey leftovers. Heat waves make sleeping at night a little bit miserable, and I wanted to have a few Sommars to sleep in, so I got to work.
Do you recognize any of these fabrics?? I was so happy that I had enough of that poppy fabric (shown above) left for a cropped Sommar.
The first one I made was the pink bra (shown below) because I wanted to try making the Sommar without a built-in bra. I also wanted to go up one size and raise the front neckline by 1″.
I made it the cropped length originally, but the fabric kept riding up and I pulled it down a million times before I just took it off, chopped a few more inches off, and then added the elastic to make it a bra instead. Lesson learned. I think if you have a smaller bust it would probably stay put better, but I definitely need the elastic.
Next, I made the oatmeal colored one to possibly wear under a future make that I’m making with eyelet fabric and don’t really want to line. It might be too light, but it’s still nice to have. Then I made the cropped versions. I am SO happy with the changes I made going up a size and raising the neckline. I will absolutely be doing that in the future when I make this pattern.
Most of these fabrics are left over from other projects and the majority are from Style Maker, so I’ll link to them for anyone interested: Poppy Floral Cotton Jersey, Mid Weight Cotton Jersey Solids: wine, raspberry, pink, chestnut.
I can attest that these are great for heatwaves and sleeping in. I was a little bit worried that the elastic would drive me crazy, but I made it a good length so that it stays in place but isn’t too tight.
It’s taken me a couple of months to blog about these, but at least now I can say that I love all of these because I wear them all the time! I even pulled my clothes out of the washer just now and all except my blue Tabitha are hanging up to dry.
Thank you for reading today and happy sewing! xoxo
Sharing Joy:
On the hottest day of our heatwave (102F/39C) I was making a chicken quesadilla with guacamole, and I was so happy that I had already made the chicken so that I didn’t have to turn on the oven. But maybe making me feel even more joy was that giant bowl of guacamole. I enjoy my guacamole with a little bit of quesadilla if you know what I mean.
The thing that has been a godsend this week has been Ginger Ale. Our fruitaria across the street had Ginger Ale last week, and I bought a whole case. We don’t have a car, and the stores near me don’t usually have it, so I only get it occasionally. But on a hot day, a glass of Ginger Ale with ice and a slice of lemon is the best thing. It really just makes everything better.
What is your favorite heatwave survival food or bev?
I really like the blue tank on you! This reminds me of years ago when my sister, Jolene was starting school. I made a lot of underpants for her as well as dresses for school. I was just married, so it must have been in 1969-70. Tricot had just come out. It was so fun to sew with and I taught classes at the local fabric store.
That’s so cool, Grandma! Knit is a lot of fun to sew with in my opinion. And thank you! I really like the blue tank too. I bought 3 meters of it, so I need to decide what else to sew with it. 😐