What’s more perfect for summer than a swingy, loose-fitting tank? The Minttu is one of those sewing patterns that I knew I needed to make for hot, humid days the instant I saw Named Patterns new collection.
The fabric I used is a gorgeous rayon jersey from Britex that I bought on a work trip to San Francisco last summer. My original intent was to save it for some kind of summery top, but I had no idea what pattern to use for it when I brought it home from my trip. I’m so glad I saved it until this summer!
The construction is super-simple until you get to the all-in-one facing. I kept staring at the instructions, trying to interpret what I was supposed to do, but it was Allie’s video on the Indiesew blog that saved the day and made it crystal-clear how to sew the facing in. It’s a pretty genius construction method once you get the general idea of how it’s to be done.
I skipped the interfacing that the pattern calls for – maybe I haven’t found the right knit interfacing, but I never seem to have luck with it stretching with my knit fabrics when I use it. It’s fine not having the interfacing around the neckline, but it’s around the armholes that I would have benefitted from some kind of stabilizer. The rayon is really stretchy and the armhole facings roll out a bit, even with the understitching. It would also help to prevent the armholes drooping down a bit around the underarm. To be fair, this may have been too drapey of a fabric to use with the pattern, but I didn’t care!
My only minor complaint with this tank is that I can’t wear a normal bra with it – I needed to push my straps in so they wouldn’t be visible, but they always seemed to peek out during the day. In these photos I’m wearing a strapless, but it’s kind of annoying to be honest. I think I’m going to try out those clips that convert your regular bra into a racer back bra and see how that goes.
This tank is so great – you can eat a big lunch and no one will know! The amount of fabric isn’t overwhelming in that you feel shapeless wearing it either, especially with the fitted nature of the tank at the bust. But I bet this would make a good maternity tank too, lol! The first time I wore this I paired it with skinny jeans, but I like it best with shorts, something about the mixed proportions looks good to me.
Fabric: rayon knit from Britex
Shorts: Old Navy
Sunnies: Tommy Hilfiger
This post is part of the Indiesew Blogger Network – pattern or fabric may have been provided by Indiesew, however all thoughts and opinions are my own
I have this pattern and I’m hungry to see everyone else’s makes and experiences with the pattern before making mine up 🙂 Love yours! That fabric print is gorgeous! Thank you for that reference to Allie’s video and heads up about the interfacing. I think I will use a good quality knit interfacing after reading your experience around the arms 🙂 Great post!
Cute! Though I’m amazed that you’re wearing a strapless bra with that as the armholes look too low for even that. I hate when that happens.