Reef Tank - Party in the Back

Pattern: Megan Nielsen's Reef Tank
Fabric: something synthetic ??
Cost: free (remnants)

I celebrated my birthday last month and decided to do something fun for the occasion. We held a casual BBQ on the back patio (complete with friends and dogs and cupcakes!). Since I'm not a fancy dress type of girl, I made myself a sparkly Reef tank to celebrate. With its back strap details, it lends itself perfectly to some creative straps.

For the straps, I started with a sheer novelty fabric left over from this shirt. I then trimmed the seam allowances and bound the edges in fold over elastic. I sewed the two together using my BERNINA coverstitch, stretching the elastic slightly as I sewed. I am still getting used to the coverstitch so this took some practice, but eventually I got a fairly nice finish. 

Here is a full view of the back. I was careful to overlap the stripes so that they match up where the straps cross.

This is the perfect top for me because it's simple and subtle, but with a fun twist. The body is made from the same material as my Pattern Magic dress but turned to the wrong side, which is black. It has already gotten a ton of wear as something easy to pull on and head out for the night in. It goes well under my black jackets, but is perfect for warmer restaurants and bars. (Worn here with my modified not pull-on Misty Jeans).

Welp, it's another year under my belt. I've already got lots of plans for more things to sew, but also trying to relax and have fun. Happy birthday to me!

Pattern Test: Megan Nielsen Reef Tank

Pattern: Megan Nielsen's Reef Tank
Fabric: something synthetic? probably rayon poly
Cost: remnant from fabric swap

Summer is here! After a few coldish weeks at the beginning of June, the temps have been Bay Area warm for the past few days (mid 70s). This weekend I'm headed to a hot weather wedding in Japanese Pattern Magic dress, with hopefully more pics to come!

This project is another warm-weather project. It's a pattern test for the Megan Nielsen Reef pattern, which includes a tank and shorts. Designed as loungewear, I think the top has enough style to work as normal clothes, too. I sewed mine up in a some sort of drapey rayon synthetic blend and wore it out on the town.

In the pic above, you'll also notice my new Style Arc Misty Jeans, which have been modified with a functioning fly front. They're quite snug, but fun to play around with! These were all made mostly during my time off before my internship. I'm missing all that sewing time!

Here I am all ready to head out to the city to see my friends. This was the tester version of the Reef Tank, so there may have been some additional updates to the final product. The fit worked great on me except, as you can see above, the fit at the bust. The top is designed in a relaxed fit for lounging, and in my attempt to fit it I made it much too small. That's why you'll see some rippling above the bust. Other than that, I found the fit to be really great as the neckline doesn't gape open when you bend over and the generous cut around the waist and hips makes it very easy to wear.

What makes this tank unique is definitely the cross-over straps in back. The v-neck front is also a great length on me. And while I don't usually like hi-lo hems, I found that I actually enjoy the subtle swoop toward the back. A fun pattern overall if you're looking for a summer basic.

New Year, New Pattern: Tania Culottes

Pattern: Megan Nielsen's Tania Culottes
Fabric: 1 1/2 yds wool woven
Cost: $15

Last week I showed you my Christmas outfit, so this week it is only fitting that I catch you up on what I made for New Year's Eve. Here she is all gussied up in glitter and a party hat to recreate the moment.

Like everything else in the city, NYE is a rather casual affair in SF characterized more by men in dresses and glitter than women in fancy ball gowns. I took the opportunity to make a simple but fun piece for the occasion that I knew I'd get a lot of wear out of later. This proved the perfect time to try the famous Megan Nielsen Tania Culottes, which I'd had in my stash since I hit 'purchase' during a pattern sale a few years ago. I paired it with some black wool that was originally intended for a pair of pants, and the weight and body suited the design well. A more fastidious sewer would probably have lined them, but it works fine as is for me.

I'm usually one for longer skirts, but something about the culotte design (and the fact that I planned to wear these with tights) made me go for this shorter style, and I love it! I did lengthen the pattern slightly by cutting the hem along the XL hem line as Fiona suggested, and that was adequate for me. I had a lot of fun wearing the final product, and I think it will be a handy piece to have on hand when I want to wear something more than just jeans out and about. Here she is in the obligatory spinny pose, where you can see the fullness of each leg.

I realized as I was tracing the pattern that this is my first time trying Megan Nielsen's patterns. While I have been a long time follower, I had yet to sew up any of her designs. Megan Nielsen prides herself on beautiful, easy to sew patterns and the Tania Culottes were no exception. I love that they were only 13 pages to print out and trace, and use only four pattern pieces. I also easily fit the whole layout on 1 1/2 yards. And despite the simplicity of the construction, this pattern appealed to me because it is a unique design not found many other places. Definitely worth the money in this case.

I spent the evening with Mr. Made and friends, bar hopping, dancing, and finishing the night at a perfect little bar set up with tables that at the time looked to me like a magical Medieval feast.  I don't often have high expectations for this holiday, but it proved to be great fun in my new skirt.

Hope your new year is off to a great start!