LOFT Inspired Ruffle Tank

Every time I go into a thrift store and see something I love, when I look at the tag, it seems I always see the same thing: ANN TAYLOR LOFT.

Ann and I must be kindred spirits :o)

So I wasn't surprised when I got an email yesterday from a reader, Rachael, asking if I had any ideas on how to make this little tank, from-guess where?

source

I was to taken by this shirt that I had to try it immediately! And I was surprised at how easy it was. I think my ruffles turned out a little larger than the ones on the ATL tank, so if you want to, you can subtract a few inches from the length of the ruffles. Also; my knit was a little thicker, so the gathers aren't as close together as hers.

I would have loved to make this with pink ruffles, for a monochromatic look, like Ann's. But I wanted to use what I had, so I grabbed an old tank from my closet, and some scrap knit from an old cream tank I had used for another project.

1: Start by using pinking shears to cut one side of a 2"x24" strip, cutting the other side with a strait edged rotary cutting or scissors. Repeat to make a 2.5" strip, and a 3" strip.

2: Pin the strips on top of each other, with the flat sides flush.

4: Loosen your tension all the way, and select your machine's longest strait stitch, then sew all the way down the strait edge.

5: Slowly and carefully, pull the top thread to gather until your strips are 12" long. Sew a backstitch on both ends to hold in place.

5: Pin your ruffles to your shirt in a "U" shape, with seams touching, and sew them on.

6: Ann Taylor would say that you're done, but I thought it needed a little more fanciness to it, so I sewed some tiny little lace in a "U" shape, along the seams of the ruffles. :o)

All done!!

I'd love to try this with a lighter weight fabric to get the almost fringed look of the original tank. So fun!!

Oh, and I'm so glad that everyone's excited about the "sewing basics" tutorials. I'm already planning them in my head. This will be fun!! :o)

Happy Saturday!