A bird print Bailén top

For me a great tank top is always a good addition to my wardrobe.  As I’m sure I’ve mentioned previously, a good tank and cardi combo is what I reach for pretty much every day.

So it makes sense that this lovely Bailén pattern, a narrow strap woven tank, would appear repeatedly here on my blog.  I’ve used this pattern once before (modifying to make a camisole) and now here it is again, this time with no modifications.  This is a free pattern so, if you don’t have a favorite for a strappy woven tank yet, you should definitely give this one a try!

The bird print fabric is a viscose poplin from Blackbird Fabrics.  It’s simply gorgeous and unfortunately sold out because who wouldn’t snag up a chunk of this?!  I’ve seen a few stunning examples of dresses made with this material but it is quite a bold print for me, so I stuck with just enough for a top.  It’s wonderfully light, drapey and soft though, I kind of wish I’d ordered more.

This tank is a size 38 blended to size 42 at the hips.  Given the fit of my last version I decided I could likely sneak by without a FBA and this seems to have worked out fine.  If I wear a bra that has some padding and push-up it has just the slightest pull at the front and with the bias cut seems to relax after  having it on a while.  Wearing a bra with no foam and a more natural shape there is perfect ease at the chest for me.

I’m still loving the upward darts and, with the smaller size at the top this time, the marks on the pattern for strap placement worked out perfectly for me.  They fall at just the right spot to follow along on top of my bra straps and this makes me very happy.

This tank is the original length of the pattern.  The plan was to shorten as desired before hemming, since I wanted this one longer than my camisole version.  In the end I decided not to trim any length and left it long, expecting to wear it tucked in most of the time.  I think the un-tucked looks alright on me too although it is slightly longer than the perfect mid hip point.  I’m only 5’2″ with a short torso in case you are wondering.

I used french seams, as recommended in the pattern, at the sides for a nice neat finish on the inside.  The bias tape for the straps and the top edges are made from the same fabric as the top.  I used 2″ strips of fabric and my bias tape making do-dad so had this made up in no time.

I tried a new to me hem technique on this tank.  Usually I’m a fan of deeper or bias bound hems but the instructions were to use a baby hem, so I decided to try the rolled hem foot that came with the sewing machine I got last winter.  I took a look at this tutorial, made 2 quick practice pieces then held my breath for the real thing.  I’m very happy with how my hem turned out!  It it not 100% perfect at the side seams where I had to get over the bump of the little french seams but you can’t tell this from the outside.  Way easier than burning my fingers trying to press an itty bitty hem up all the way around!  This fancy foot may have me making the teeny tiny hems more often.

I’ve reviewed this pattern previously so there’s no point in re-hashing given all I have to add is my love of the strap placement.  The free download of this pattern can be snagged here at the Pauline Alice site.   I’m certain you’ll see other Pauline Alice makes here at some point, I’m in love with the look of pretty much every single pattern she has!  Do you like her patterns?  Which is your favourite?

Garment Cost $12.58 CAD (costs include taxes)

• 1 meter Viscose Poplin $12.08 – Blackbird Fabrics
• Thread $0.50

And I’ll sign off now with a quick pic of this tank with some Winslow Culottes.  I may have (totally did) chosen to use this pattern for my bird print poplin because I knew it would go so nicely with the black Winslows I had planned!