Last weekend I attacked with renewed energy one of the UFOs I found when I was analyzing my #MMMay2018 results and inventorying my fabric. (Found? First I would have to I admit it was lost! Never!)
I had previously made a Designer me-made Copy of a GAP tank top for my sister with a beautiful deep teal green stretch knit, 90% polyester, 7% rayon and 3% spandex, posted here. Since there was fabric leftover from that project, and it is a beautiful fabric not to be wasted, I told my sister that I was sure I could squeeze a simple tee shirt out of the remnant.
I still had the tracing I had made from her RTW tee shirt, although I had lost her measurements, but I figured that was good enough.
I was all set to cut out her fabric when I had a thought. I must still have the self drafted GAP tank top pattern I drew up for her. I know that fit perfectly as she wears the tank top still. I was curious to see how they compare. Laying the tee shirt tracing and the tank top self-drafted pattern on top of each other I could see that the tank top pattern was a bit looser in the sides, so I opted to cut a mixture of the tee shirt and the tank top. I chalked the cutting line, adding 2 cm seam allowance.
Looks good, a simple shape and easy to sew!
I like sewing seam tape or double fold bias tape on the shoulder seams of stretchy knit fabrics. I used a narrow zig zag for the seams and a wider zig zag to bind the tape and the seam allowances, with a “stretch” needle.
Side seams were sewn with the same narrow zig zag stitch. I also trimmed down all seams as much as I could. I folded up the hem, avoiding stretching the fabric, and held it with Wonder tape so I could fold it over again and sew the hem down.
I used Wonder tape to hem the neckline too, same as the bottom hem, one fold with Wonder tape and one more without, all sewn down. I did use a long straight stitch here, being careful not to twist or stretch the fabric.
It looks a bit rumpled when not being worn, but on the body it stretches out smoothly. (I love this colour. I need more of this colour in my life! Too bad it’s not mine!)
Finished top! My sister was surprised, and I hope pleased, to see this addition to her wardrobe (… after all these months, and NO I did not lose her fabric in the mess that WAS my fabric stash! 😂👍)
I still have a few more “found” UFOs to finish up – a blue Hollyburn skirt, a blue pair of pants/trousers and a dress for myself, and a top for my other sister.
How many UFOs do you have sitting idle?
Happy Sewing!
STASH BUSTING WITH THIS PROJECT? This was a small remnant and it wasn’t included in my 132 metre inventory. Nothing’s changed!
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