Over the last two weeks I had the opportunity to sew for Lauren Dahl. She just released this fantastic high-low knit or woven tank top after a very thorough reviewing process including many sewists in all shapes and sizes. During the process she made some radical adjustments to the shape of the hem and I am impressed with her professionalism and attention to detail. Her sizing is spot on but she wanted to go above and beyond fit, I could really sense it during the reviewing process. She is looking to release a product that is as perfect as possible, a very rare thing.
The pattern itself calls for flat felled seams and bias tape at the armholes and neck opening, I made a version following these exact directions and those steps are well worth your time. However, if I am honest with myself I know that these would be things I would only attempt on a woven, as stretch is never an issue in that case. This morning I decided to simply face my irrational fear of the serger and sew another Foxglove tank, with serged seams and rolled hems. Mostly I read the manual and threaded, the actual sewing took but minutes. So satisfying!
I made one modification to the pattern, above and beyond hem treatment. The original has a much roomier back, very drapey. It looks good on a lot of shapes but if you are a bit on the short side as I am and have larger hips then it's not always a good look. To bring things in, simply shift in the angle on the side at the back and retrace the bottom curve.
Cut out a wedge, tape it back further in and retrace the bottom hem to "make sense" of your modifications.
If you are interested in trying to sew your own Foxglove Tank you can pre-order a downloadable copy of the pattern exclusively at Indiesew. Find it here as well.
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You are so gorgeous!! Thanks a million for testing and posting. :) xoxo
Posted by: Lauren | June 12, 2014 at 10:36 PM
Oh I like this...a lot! Great tip with the pattern...how much width would you say you wound up taking out once you taped that piece back in?
Posted by: Monica | June 16, 2014 at 12:30 PM