Facebook Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Tiktok Icon YouTube Icon Headphones Icon Favorite Navigation Search Icon Forum Search Icon Main Search Icon Close Icon Video Play Icon Indicator Arrow Icon Close Icon Hamburger/Search Icon Plus Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon
Insider

Sign in or become an insider to access this story

Sign In

Riffs on a Trusted Pattern: The Tanked Top

We arrive at month 7 of my yearlong challenge to riff on a single pattern, and I’m still in a practical frame of mind. The Copycat Cardi from last month got me thinking about other workhorse types of garments. It’s fun to get carried away with special event garments and flights of fancy, like my Birthday Dress from month 5. But those don’t get you dressed on an average Tuesday morning. Seeing as I am in the heart of summer (writing this July 7), I did a quick inventory of my summer tank tops and realized that most of them should have been retired about the same time as I retired—2016.

Tank tops, for me, are all about coolness—temperature, that is. I like scooped or V-necklines and sleeveless styles. I’ve noticed, too, that this season is all about the cropped length. I gathered my Tabula Rasa Jacket (TRJ) pattern from Fit for Art Patterns and my drafting tools and headed to my studio.

A gray tank top with style

I started with the pattern I had adjusted for my Mary Tyler Moore top several months ago. It was drafted to be made in woven fabric, so I would need to make changes to accommodate the cotton jersey I had in mind for my new tank. I also played around with different necklines and landed on a crossover front that created a nice V-neck. It added a bit of design detail to the front panel.

Fit for Art Patterns Tabula Rasa Jacket envelope and sketches, plus fabric, lying on gridded cutting mat

I also cropped the length while adding a waistband to keep the hem from flipping up (age inappropriateness alert), and tapered the side back seams to create a closer fit through the torso.

 

The Tanked Top pattern pieces based on the Fit for Art Patterns Tabula Rasa Jacket

 

This was one of the quickest garments I have put together in a long time. I cut it out…

Start your 14-day FREE trial to access this story.

Start your FREE trial today and get instant access to this article plus access to all Threads Insider content.

Start Your Free Trial
Discuss

Threads Insider

Get instant access to hundreds of videos, tutorials, projects, and more.

Start Your Free Trial

Already an Insider? Log in

Discuss

  1. user-5910757 | | #1

    I like the side panels!

    1. User avater
      beckyf | | #3

      Thank you! I like the stripes as well and the proof is in the wearing....I wear the black with stripes way more than the grey! Note to self for next summer.

  2. osewviolet | | #2

    I like the side panels too. It makes the black one look expensive. Great job on both of them.

    1. User avater
      beckyf | | #4

      I'll go with expensive...seeing as I was working with itty bitty scraps that's a lovely compliment...thank you!

Log in or become a member to post a comment.

More From Threads

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |

Threads Insider Exclusives

View All
View All

Highlights

Shop the Store

View All
View More