Liberty Lawn Tiny Pocket Tank

During Me-Made-May, although I was wearing jeans too much, I decided a lot of the time for me they are my only practical option therefore I needed to make some more casual everyday tops. My favourite practical top pattern is the Woven Scout Tee from Grainline, as you may have noticed seeing as I have made and blogged three versions so far (1, 2, 3)! I think all of Jen's patterns are fantastic in their wearability and versatility so decided to branch out and try the Tiny Pocket Tank.

Liberty Tana Lawn worked great for the Scout, it sews up, washes and wears beautifully so I decided to use the other piece I got in the remnant bin at Liberty last year. It's actually the same print as I used for the Scout but in a different colour way. I feel a lot of Liberty prints are a bit twee or fussy for me in terms of clothing at least but this feather print is a more random print that looks like a cool mottled effect from a distance, much more my style! I chose a candy pink thread to bring that colour out of the print a little, add some fun and prevent the garment from looking too washed out.

As expected the pattern is great. The way it is cut means although the fit is loose it drapes in a flattering way rather than looking like a sack hanging down from the bust. It is the perfect length for me, not as short as the Scout, and the slightly curved hemline means it doesn't leave an unsightly gap between it's hem and the waistband of your jeans/skirt as you move around. Jen has you create your own bias tape to face the neckline and armholes, which is a great clean finishing method I love for this. I personally like the topstitching detail it creates and it would give a great little pop of contrasting colour although I chose to use the main fabric this time.

I'm not entirely delighted with the top because of the fit. As well as being tight across the bust and upper back the armholes are also pretty tight which is an issue I had to a lesser extent with the Scout Tee. Partly I think I was perhaps a little over zealous with my french seams and so ended up taking out just slightly more than the drafted seam allowance. This x4 (two sides to both the underarm and shoulder seam) equals a too small arm hole. But considering just how tight it is compared to the relaxed fit I am after I might just go up a size up from what I have been making the scout tee in, though maybe it just needs a FBA?? Thinking more about it I think all the fit issues are probably related to how it sits on me because of the standard pattern drafting to a B-cup concept.

I wasn't sure on the tiny pocket detail at first but thought this print might need something to add a bit of interest and once sewn up I actually loved it. I think with some prints and even in plain bold colours the top would benefit from omitting it but again, the benefits of being able to sew mean we can try the idea out rather than wishing it was or wasn't there on a ready to wear garment. I followed the markings on the pattern piece to advise on pocket placement (I'm getting really speedy at tailors tacks by the way!). Once I'd sewn the darts I thought the markings looked like I was going to get a wonky pocket but I'm glad I didn't wack it on the way I thought looked right because if course it works out perfectly straight when on. The complicated world of draping a fitting over a bust!

Once I've cracked the fit on this I'll definitely have discovered another favourite go to pattern for practical clothing. I've got the Moss Mini Skirt PDF printed and ready to go next!