Ok I didn’t lie when I said in the last post that those were my last vampire shirts for a while… because I already had the vinyl cut and weeded for these by that point, and these were always planned. I just needed to make the shirts for the vinyl to go onto!
Black-on-black Dead Inside tank
My friend loved my Dead Inside top so much that she begged me to make her one just like it, only in black with a black flock heart. You can tell she’s a very good friend (and that I know she’ll appreciate a handmade garment!) because I actually made it for her!
I measured her and, luckily, she fit into the same size (XL) as me for the FibreMood Elza pattern, so I didn’t even have to trace another size! 🥳
I found a good stockist of black bamboo jersey at my local fabric shop, Fabrics Galore, and ordered 2.5m – enough to make this top, a top for me (keep reading), and the bodice of another Cashmerette Irving dress. This stuff is great – super soft, drapey, bouncy, and easy to sew.
I didn’t make any alterations to the pattern or construction here – this really is a carbon-copy of my own.
I absolutely LOVE her choice to have black flocked HTV on a black shirt – it’s subtle but SO cool in real life. It’s difficult to photograph well though (and the iron marks are nowhere near as obvious in real life)!
Black Paris Sucks Versatili-Tank
For the record, I actually adore Paris! But this was an iconic line in season 2 of Interview with the Vampire (bonus points to anyone who can comment with the very next line in the show, as the line delivery of these two live permanently in my brain), and the motif appeared on the leaked season 3 press pack which I’ve been vectorising so much of.
I actually cut out the cherry red glitter and plain white HTVs along with my previous batch, but I had to sew up a shirt to iron it onto first!
I could’ve just used the same FibreMood pattern as above, or another Jalie tank, but I really wanted to sew one of FehrTrade’s Versatili-Tops pattern since none of the ones I made when I was healthy fit me anymore! 😭 After re-measuring, I’ve gone from a size M to an XL (seriously, do everything in your power to never catch Covid again), and I opted to take 2cm off the length as I prefer it a little shorter for casualwear.
I’d like to thank Previous Me for writing such clear and excellent instructions, because after so long since I sewed one of these, I had to follow the instructions, too! 😂 If you recall, both of the variations of our Versatili-Tops pattern have NO side seams – the front wraps around fully to the back so there’s less opportunity for chafing under the arms.
In addition to the vinyl on the front, I also added a smaller VL logo in cherry red glitter to the back neck too (and a size indicator inside)
I’m finding myself wearing this tank A LOT because I love the fit of the Versatili-Tank and the fabric is just so soft!
I know I said this on the last post, but these really will be my last vampire tops for a while – at least until San Diego Comic Con at the end of July when we’re very likely to get more new content… 😝