Grainline Studio Tiny Pocket Tank top for Made Up

Hi there, last week was a bit of a strange for me, but in a good way. My kids went back to playgroup last Tuesday, so I've had a bit more time in the mornings to get some jobs done and some sewing! But the boy's were extremely tired on that Tuesday evening after playgroup and swimming lessons. It took longer than normal for me and my husband to put them to bed and I was feeling really tired. I cheered up A LOT when I realised that I had won the Sew Over It Show Off competition for August!!! Thank you Lisa and Team! I was very shocked, but obviously delighted:) I'd made the 1940's Tea Dress a while ago and finally remembered to blog about it on Monday. When I posted about it on Instagram I tagged it with #SOIshowoff.

#SOIshowoff competition - photo from sewoverit.com

I won 2m of fabric, so I have been browsing their website for ideas and trying to narrow down the selection. I have decided upon this crepe fabric called Adelaide. I've not given much thought to what pattern to make with it yet, as I'm preoccupied with packing for our holiday. Suggestions for a pattern are most welcome.

Image from Sewoverit.com

Karen from Did you make that? began her Made Up initiative at the beginning of August. I joined many sewists in making a pledge and donating to the National Literacy Trust.  Karen writes: 

"Did you know that one person in six in the UK lives with poor literacy? Some children never have a parent read to or with them. Many households can’t afford books. Literacy can be a game of luck, and it’s a game with high stakes. It can make or break lives. With the help of my fellow creatives, I’d like to sway the odds.  

I’ve set us a simple goal – to raise £1,000 in a month-long fundraiser, hosted at a Justgiving page."

Image from didyoumakethat.com

I have always loved to read. My parents love to read too, and I think naturally their enthusiasm was passed on to me and my siblings. My husband and I both love reading to our son's. We have read, as part of their bedtime routine, since they were tiny and I read to them in the daytime too. Their favourite books include 'Superworm' by Julia Donaldson and the 'Alfie' series by Shirley Hughes. One of my favourite's growing up was 'Fantastic Mr Fox' by Roald Dahl and although they are perhaps a bit young still (three and a half), I have just read it to them! They were excited to listen to a story which lasted more than one sitting and had chapters in it! 

I have donated and pledged to make a top. I purposely didn't stipulate which top I would make, because I hadn't decided at the time of pledging. Though I had an idea it might be a tank or cami top as these have been on my 'to make' list for such a long time. The Tiny Pocket Tank by Grainline Studio was the pattern I settled on, after much researching on pinterest!

Tiny Pocket Tank

I made it in a size 10. There are a couple of things to amend on the fit of this top, but I had finished the top before I realised some of the issues! And, I'm writing this the day before I go on holiday and 3 days before the deadline for Made Up, so alterations will have to wait! That's also why I'm not modelling it. That, and the lack of time to set up the tripod.

I really do love the style of the tank top, so I will definitely sort the fit issues out and remake. 

The top gapes a little around the back neckline. It also has a lot of ease, so I think I should have sized down to an 8 and done a FBA. I had to take in the side seams a little to help with the ease issue. I imagine if I size down I wont have to do this again though. The neckline is quite low, so I will raise this by a couple of centimetres. 

The pattern itself is lovely. I love the clean lines of this style. And the instructions are clear and detailed. Extra information is added via a tutorial on the Grainline website. It is all very easy to follow. And there is additional tutorials on the website; I really liked Jen's tutorial for adding a bias facing to the neckline.

The fabric is from Sew Over It. It's a lovely drapey rayon/cotton blend called Starfish. I bought it a few weeks ago, along with a cotton chevron print fabric which I also plan to use with this pattern. 

I am very pleased to be able to support such a worth while cause and have something to show for it too. Have you finished your Made Up pledge?