Nothing like a pattern test to break me out of my rut and get me posting again. While I certainly have some backlog of items to post, I haven’t been making as much in the past couple of months due to travel and work. Fortunately, this pattern is super fast and easy!
This is The Works Tank by Pattern Emporium. Y’all know one of the reasons that I love testing Pattern Emporium patterns is their consistency in sizing, quality instructions, and generally cute look. This pattern is no different. This one is actually the second one I made. I’ll show you the first one tomorrow.
For this one I used a ribbed performance knit from Fabric Wholesale Direct. I only meant to order a sample, but accidentally ordered 2 yards. At least I think it was an accident. I don’t know what happened. Maybe I did mean to order it? I can’t remember, but I had it in my stash from a year or so ago. It had the right amount of stretch so it was a great opportunity to use it. I still have about 1/2 yard leftover and I’m thinking it would actually make a cute coordinating bikini at some point.
Like all Pattern Emporium patterns, there are a number of included variations — drawstring ruching, elastic ruching, no ruching, or a banded bottom. This one is the drawstring ruching version.
Given the performance nature of the fabric, it makes this version of the top perfect for yoga or a nice tropical vacation where I could use it for a real top or even for a coverup. Because of the drawstring, I can adjust the length. If I let it out almost entirely, it’s almost dress length which is when it would be good for a coverup. But I can scrunch it up to short tank length. The length you see here is probably my favorite. Basically just long enough to cover my butt.
Some folks did hack on about 7″ and were able to get very cute ruched dresses out of it. So I could also try to do that in the future as well. My favorite from the testers were some striped rib knits. So if I find one of those that I really like the colors of, you might see another one of these.
For this drawstring one, I made a straight size 8. Technically I measure at a size 10 at the hips, but for the ruching, you want it a little snugger to fit right.
My favorite parts about this tank are a) the wide straps so that I can wear a normal bra with it and b) the wide binding. Kate, the designer, updated her instructions to including serging the layers together before wrapping around the binding and it really makes everything lay even flatter than before. I really liked the binding before but now I love it.
Overall I’m happy with how it turned out, but definitely still annoyed with my coverstitch machine and very much wanting a new one once I can get to the store to test them out. But this pattern is a keeper and will probably become my go-to for a fast tank top. It’s barely a yard of fabric and it’s super fast to sew. Expect to see more of these!
