Tank tops are not just summer attire; they are great layering pieces under jackets and cardigans year round. Since you S-E-W, you can design your own tank tops to stand out a bit from the RTW crowd. We sewists love to be big ole’ smarty pants like that, right? 😉
Start with a great pattern. I love Pamela’s Patterns because they are easy to sew, and provide a great basic fit for my body. It is easy enough to experiment with several different pattern companies to find a brand or pattern that you like. In the image above, I used the sleeveless tank from Pamela ‘s Versatile Twinset pattern.
Next up, decide on a fabric. The sky is really the limit here. Be sure to check your LFS as well as the plentiful online resources. Two of my favorite virtual shops for knits are EmmaOneSock and Marcy Tilton. Great, great quality fabrics every time from these two lovelies. For the teal tank above, I used a plain black rayon/lycra knit underneath, and the pretty, pretty teal stretch lace on top for a great color pop. The scalloped edge of the lace is a bonus!!
You can also add stretchy trims to your knit tanks. There are so many wonderful trims in a wide variety of colors, styles, widths, and patterns. This is a great place to let your imagination go wild.
See how easy that was? Take one simple pattern, add great fabrics, and optionally trims, and you are an instant designer! Have fun, and do share your pictures and comments. I’d love to hear from you!
Happy sewing!
Maris