Hi Friends! Another last minute post about a great pattern! This is the Maria Tank for 5oo4. Such a fun Cross Over Tank top pattern. I have several tank tops I love, but this twisty style is something new and interesting! This is the perfect summer top and it is easy to dress up or down. I paired my new tank with comfy black capris and heels and was all about beating the summer heat.
The Maria Tank and Dress includes:
Sizing is based on our women’s size chart from XXS-5XL
Knit fabric with at least 25% horizontal stretch
Regular or FBA (full bust adjustment) front bodice.
High or Low Scoop necklines
Top, tunic, dress or maxi lengths
Unique gathered twist cross back
I am wearing the low scoop neck in tunic length. I decided to use bands instead of binding on this version. I actually am not awesome at sewing bindings so anytime I have the option of bands, I am on it. My bands are made from brushed poly so I took about 2 inches off the total length of them to account for the stretch. Don’t worry, there is a formula in the directions walking you through this personal adjustment. Just Do It! It will make such a huge difference in the total look of your cross back!
This adorable panda print has been hanging out in my stash for at least a year. I picked it up at Stitchin’ Pretties. It is so soft, cool to the touch and smooth textured. Don’t forget about their buy two yards, get one free deal! Load your cart up!! Maria is designed for light weight knit fabrics with at least 25% horizontal stretch.
Tonight is your last chance to take advantage of the Maria release sale pricing! It is currently on sale for $9.60.
Hi Friends! I recently did a super exciting hack over at Love Notions on how to turn the Summer Basics Tank/Dress into a fall favorite! I loved the OG and the new version! If you want to check my blog post, it is here.
I love this outfit so much. My fabrics are from Stitchin’ Pretties. Their buy 2 yards, get a bonus coordinating fabric sale continues!
Since I was feeling really extra, I also made a video. I will teach you how to change the skirt from a normal skirt to a lapped tulip hem, add picot to give it a pretty finish, and sew the entire dress. This was really fun! Here is the video link.
While there, please show me some love by liking and subscribing to my channel!
The Laundry Day Tee from Love Notions has re-released and it is even more fantastic than the original. First off, it includes sizes 4x and 5x now. The rereleased pattern was redrafted in Love Notions newer design software. Additionally, the arm/sleeve was adjusted for a better overall fit. As a bonus, assembly directions were simplified!
During the retest, I made two versions of the Laundry Day Tee. I made the tunic version first. I have been holding on to the pastel stripes for way too long because I wanted them to be something awesome. I also only had two yards of the print and this fabric was thin, which basically meant I could make a shirt. I used nearly all of the usable fabric for this top. The design has a lot of swing to it, which I actually love. I used the short sleeve option with the scoop neckline…spring will be here soon!
My second top I made sleeveless! I did this for two reasons. I wanted to show another option for this pattern and I wanted to compared the tank to another pattern I really love. I actually like the first of both patterns, but appreciate that this under arm area is higher than the other. So this is a 100% win in my book! I have wore this silky ITY version over leggings a few times since making it. I threw a cardigan over it to make in winter work appropriate. Again, this pattern sewed up quickly and easily.
The Laundry Day Tee has been around for a good while, so I knew when the test popped up, I was on board with it! The top comes together quickly and has several of options to achieve your favorite fit!
Pattern pieces for 3 neckline styles: scoop, v-neck & cowl.
Three hem lengths: shirt, tunic & knee length dress.
Five sleeve lengths
Hi lo hem for the tunic and dress lengths
Both of garments are made from fabric I ordered from Sew Blessed.
The Laundry Day Tee is on sale for $5.00, but you can use the coupon code from the Love Notions Facebook group to get it for free!!!
As always this blog contains affiliate links, which is a small commission I earn when you make a purchase from my blog links. Thank you for helping to support my sewing.
Did you know that one of 5 out of 4’s most popular patterns is the Agility Tank? Did you know the Agility tank just expanded its size range? Yep, now it comes in sizes up to 5x which matches the size range of newer 5 out of 4 designs.
For testing, I made my first ever sports bra. I have only purchased one sports bra in my entire adult life and that was because I needed a racer back to wear with a shirt on my blog. I hated it BTW. I don’t like sports bras for general everyday wear because I require a lot of support in the bust area. I ordered some mesh to sew into my bra, but as it turns out all mesh is not created equal. The mesh I received was more of a mesh overlay compared to a supportive mesh even though it was labeled power mesh. If you order mesh for sports bra use, please make sure it is the sturdy stuff.
So let’s talk about my tank dress with built in bra. I used a heavier cotton lycra for the bra portion and added the clear elastic through the straps and neckband as the pattern recommended. This did help somewhat with support, but again a strong power mesh would have helped more. I also did a little height adjusting. I removed 1 inch from the back racer before attaching the back T to the back bra strap. I also removed 1 inch from the front straps to help hold things up and in. My overlay dress fabric it a rayon spandex, I believe. I picked this up on a garage sale table at my quilt guild meeting last month, but I know it is from Joann’s because I have used it before! I loved it then and now. It is super soft, like the softest fabric ever and the colors are so vibrant! Loving that my cone flowers and phlox are blooming!
I made the 4x graded to a 5x as usual with 5 out of 4 patterns. I chose to make the Racer T back style but you could make the strappy option if you prefer. I also choose to make a dress, but you could do just a bra option or a top length. I removed 2 inches from the skirt to adjust for my height. It is still a little longer than the designer intended as it should hit mid knee. I just did a regular hem, but you could choose bands or drawstrings. So many options. I always say that is why I love 5 out of 4.
So here are all the options…
THE WOMEN’S AGILITY TANK INCLUDES:
T-back sports bra
Strappy back sports bra
T-back or strappy back overlay tank with a drawstring or banded hem
T-back or strappy back tankini overlay (lower cut sides, so skin shows beneath bra)
T-back or strappy back overlay dress
Every option can be made with nursing access!
Maternity pattern pieces
While putting together this tank, I made a video for my readers. This time I am showing you how to use the Stitch in the Ditch foot to neatly hide top stitching lines. Since I am doing this on a sports bra, there isn’t a lot of room to do top stitching so I decided I wanted to hide my stitches. I used a straight stitch slightly lengthen to do this. Here is the embedded clip.
Just sharing a new outfit I made Momma Mia. A few weeks ago she was heading south and knew it was going to be super hot! She wanted a couple of tank tops to keep her cool and a new pair of comfy pants to wear on the trip! Digging into her fabric stash, I keep it with mine, I found this pretty pink plaid and floral combo. We had ordered in late last year and only one yard. I knew it would be prefect for her new top!
This tank is Virginia, I know that it is shocking to my readers, but it really is my favorite tank top! I have a secret though, something new is coming to the mix really soon! This time I added 2 inches to the overall length to provide the coverage she wants! She is wearing an XL graded to XXL. This is the higher neckline option and this double brushed poly is from Sly Fox Fabrics. This pattern sews so easily and quickly! I really to love it. I can’t stress it enough. If you don’t have it in your 5oo4 library, why the heck not?
Did you realize this Tank top with optional built-in bra pattern also has an included skirt?!
Separate full bust adjustment (FBA) pattern pieces for the tank and bra
Knee length or Maxi length skirt
Skirt can be made from woven or knit fabric
Tank top has two neckline options in the front and two neckline options in the back
Dress can be made with knit waistband or elastic casing
Maternity option
Pockets!
Sizes XXS-5XL
Matching girls’ option! Check out the Girls’ Virginia Tank & Maxi and get 10% off when you buy both patterns at once!
When my hair is wind blown, it stands straight up! Why can’t I have this look?
Time for the pants! For these pants I used the Molly PJs as a base. Since I made them back in the late fall, I knew how they fit and she knew what she wanted to adjust so they were a little less “Pajama” like. First, we slimmed down the legs to a small from a medium waist. I also used the cut line for the size small for the front crotch curve to reduce a little bit of fabric excess there. I used the elastic waist option here and I removed several inches of length as well. Not to self: A little too much. In fitting pants, Momma Mia wants them high rise and not too tight on her belly. When you make your own clothing (or your daughter makes them :)) you can get exactly what you want.
Here are the pattern options that come with Molly PJ set! Yes there is also a shirt!
The Molly Women’s Pajama Set PDF sewing pattern includes the following:
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SequoiaLynn Sews 