I enjoy my handmade wardrobe, but sometimes I wonder if my readers find my projects to be a bit run-of-the-mill. I love basics and I love to wear solid colors (as much as I love to wear florals) which are perhaps, not as interesting as more flashy projects. But once in a while, I enjoy sewing with fabric that takes me outside my comfort zone. Activewear is the perfect outlet for me. Things that get sweat on them do not have to be serious!!
Take this tank top, for example: The fabric is ‘Wicked’, a marbled print from The Styled Magnolia. Ahhh-mazing, right?! The first time I saw it, it wasn’t my favorite. Why, do you ask? Because I don’t normally wear green. Because it’s stormy and tumultuous and, well, flashy. I’m a simple gal…can I pull that off? I wasn’t sure. But the second or third time I saw it, I felt drawn to the energy of it! It looks like the thorns surrounding the castle in a fairy tale I read once. It reminds me of the stormy sea. I could totally wear that!
I was quite excited when I was chosen to sew strike-offs for this one-of-a-kind print! I wanted to make a tank top, but it couldn’t be just any tank top, it had to be special. So, I looked and looked until I found a tank with the kind of back detailing I was looking for.
The Gaia Tank by Sinclair Patterns: I love this pattern! If you’ve never sewn Oxana’s patterns, they are fabulous. The drafting is on pointe, the instructions are excellent, and they have a PETITE option!! You can hear me cheering in the background! (I still have to remove another inch from the waist, because I am just THAT short…but that’s because I’m picky.)
The tank has a couple of different neckline and bottom hem options. I went with a simple banded hem. The marbled print is a dreamy athletic brushed polyester (ABP for short) that drapes enough for me to use it for a slightly relaxed silhouette. I used a nylon spandex for the bands. I think I would choose a different fabric for the bands next time. It made the topstitching job a bit difficult as my presser foot wanted to slip around on top of it. But, it’s black…so no one can see my less than straight stitching, anyway.
If you’ve already made/sewn neckbindings, the keyhole is honestly not that hard to construct! You ease the band into the neckline just the same as you would for a simple round neckline, there are just some extra curves to go around. Flip that baby over, topstitch, and you’re done!
I seriously love this statement tank and am so excited to wear it at the gym! Also, it has given me that extra push to finally get a boring pair of plain black workout pants in my wardrobe.
This marbled print is one of several unique designs being offered for preorder at The Styled Magnolia – and if you’ve never worked with Meagan, she’s great! You’d be hard-pressed to find better customer service. She also does yoga, guys. Yoga people are happy people!
You can find some of my other activewear projects here.
For more ladies’ project inspiration, check out the ladies’ category on my blog here.
The fit is fabulous on you! May I ask how tall you are? I have the same pattern and I have troubles with the keyhole at the back. I have drawn the smallest one on the top back as there is about an inch that is puckering out. Any suggestions would be wonderful, Did you need to do any adjustments other than the length? thank you Kathryn
Hi Kathryn, are you saying that the keyhole is puckering? Maybe the binding is too short. I actually noticed this on my Gaia Tank so I plan to lengthen the bands next go around. Good luck!
That back detail is amazing! I’ve never heard of this pattern company before, I’m off to check it out now!