As I mentioned in my last post, I really needed a lot more sleeveless tops, as I only had one or two that still fit. I really loved the shape of the FibreMood Elza ever since I saw it in their magazine last spring, but I hadn’t quite gotten around to sewing it. I’d traced in size L then, though, so I had to re-trace it again in XL now – not a huge deal since it’s only four pattern pieces.
I had 1m of Ivory Ribbed Jersey in my stash that I apparently bought from Textile Express for £5 this time last year (it’s £3/m now?!). It’s soft and drapey with decent recovery and I like the uneven rib. But it was just sold as “multiple fibres” (polyester & viscose I’d guess?), it picks up lint like a magnet, and is definitely translucent. So it was a good fabric to test this pattern, especially as I’m not sure I’d like the narrow front tank style.
As with all the FibreMood patterns I’ve sewn, the instructions and drafting were fabulous. The construction was super easy, too – just sew the shoulder and side seams and then the neckline and armhole bands are folded and overlocked on, and the bottom is hemmed.
I’m not sure whether I’ll get used to the style to be honest – it feels like the armholes are quite low and a lot of sideboob is on display… So it might be a good style to throw on over a swimsuit at the beach, otherwise I figured I’d need to wear my silicone stick-on bra cups. 😔
After sleeping on it, I decided the best thing to do was sew a Sophie Hines Axis Tank (my go-to soft bra) to match the neckline of this tank. If you may recall, I sewed a beige Axis a few years ago to wear under sheer tops, but I put some elastic in the bottom hem on that one and it’s now too tight. I thought about unpicking it to use longer elastic but I had topstitched it down with a triple zigzag stitch and NOPE! No way am I unpicking that, it’s there til the heat death of the universe now.
So I set off to make a new one using the higher neck view that’s closer to the Elza Tank. I found a piece of beige lingerie lycra in my stash, but it was only ~30cm (12in) long so I had to piece it to fit. A lot! But I made it work, and even had a scant amount left to cut bands, opting to just coverstitch the bottom edge. I don’t love the horizontal seam above my boobs but it’s a lot less apparent after topstitching the seam allowance flat with a wide zigzag (less of a ridge when the tank is worn over it)
And with this new Axis Tank underneath, I am Much Happier wearing the white tank (and any future Elzas)!
So I celebrated by ironing on my new “Dead Inside” red glitter vinyl (technically about vampires but also describes my chronically sick self perfectly), which I vectorised from some promo boxes sent out to press in advance of season 3 of “Interview with the Vampire” (based on the second book where Lestat becomes a rock star)…
The funny thing is, I’ve already got a request from a friend to sew her this same Elza Tank in black, with a black flock Dead Inside heart! So I’ll me sewing another one of these shortly…
Up next: a lot more vampire tops (sorry not sorry)!