Friday, September 6, 2013

Some Blank Tanks

Summer is in the air here, we've finally had our first sunny week and wow, how it has lifted my mood! So great to get outside and enjoy it.


In preparation for the Australian summer, I've been sewing a few things and these tank tops were first on my list. I bought the Blank Tank pattern* a few months back after I'd read Toni-Maree's post Make the Basics. Her post really resonated with me because I've always been pretty lazy and bought basics from chain stores. I still will, but on a smaller scale. Before I buy, I will ask myself "can I make this?"


Lucy's tank is made from a light weight cotton jersey knit that I bought ages ago in the remnant bin at a local fabric store. The pocket is a blue cotton jersey offcut from my scrap bin. I used a zig zag stitch to finish the neckline and I wasn't too happy with it. It looks ok but I think I need to invest in a double needle now that I'm sewing with knits on a more regular basis.


Anna's tank has two contrasting sides - the front is a magenta love heart print cut from an adult tee I picked up for 50c at the thrift shop. The back is plain black jersey and is left over from the My Little Pony tumble tee I made her a few weeks ago.


My normal thought process would be "oh well, it's just quicker and easier to buy them from the store." There is some truth to that, however I think it's a matter of being prepared and having good patterns at your disposal. The Blank Tank* took about 3 minutes to cut, and about 15 minutes to sew.  The shoulders and side seams were a breeze and I used my overlocker, the time consuming part is finishing the neck and arm holes and hemming.

If I think about the time it takes to travel to the store, buy items, then travel home, I actually made these quicker. These tanks probably cost me around $1.50 each. Making the basics pays off.


Aww these girls! So cute together, I hope they are always best friends.

I really like Blank Slate Patterns*, there is great stuff for boys and girls and they have good discount codes if you buy three or more patterns at once. Their basic shapes lend them to some real creativity if you want to mix them up and add your own unique details.

Make The Basics

*affiliate links

13 comments:

  1. :) <3 Awesome Ros! I just bought 7 shirts to upcycle so basics are coming up in my sewing room!
    They look so cute and the girls will love them in the warmer weather! :) That magenta print was a great find!

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  2. Re the neckline on the white top: the problem is not the machine needle. You have accidentally stretched the neck as you stitched. It happens to everyone sometimes. Next time pin carefully before you stitch. A walking foot may help if you can not go around curves well.
    I know we all love sleeveless tops but be careful. Well run schools and childcare centres will not allow them because of SunSmart policies. Avoid sun exposure on the girls' shoulders. A frill or cap sleeve is still comfy and cool. Sun damage can never be reversed no matter what the cosmetic companies say; it is preventable.

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    1. Hi Louise, thanks for your comment. I had treatment for skin cancer in 2009 so you can be assured that I am aware of the dangers of our Australian sun and I am very careful with preventative measures. Our childcare centre and kindergarten both have the strict Sun Smart policy you mention. I am happy for them to have a wide variety of garments to wear at home during summer in combination with hats and sunscreen.

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  3. They look great! Good to see your models cooperating too! Hehe. I think i need this pattern too. xo

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  4. A twin needle is well worth it, whether it solves the neck problem or not and for $1.50, I wouldn't be worried about the neckline. I always like to finish off neck and armholes with ribbing. Love the polka dot top!!!

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  5. Really cute, but I LOVE Anna's top with the different sides fantastic

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  6. Too cute Ros! I think I need to make a few of these for my kids too.

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  7. Very cute! I bought a twin needle but it was a mess sewing with it, I'm not sure if it's because my machine isn't made for it or I'm missing a key step somewhere.

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  8. The girls are getting cuter by the minute Ros and very grown up.

    Anne xx

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  9. Gorgeous girls - and Amelia tells me she needs some pink sunnies too.

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  10. Your girls are such darlings :) Twin needle - I don't know what I would do without it! I hardly ever buy leggings for LM, I make them out of tops. Quick and super cheap. I need to get back to sewing with knots more. Such comfy fabric :)

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  11. Your girls are sooooooo cute! I also was inspired by the 'Make the basics' so I'll be following and making a few things for my little ones in the next few weeks/months.

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  12. Great tanks and gorgeous girls! I just made a blank tank the other day and I'll definitely be making more - such a great pattern.

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