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?


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!

Comments

  1. I like your version and how it coordinates with your outfit (and broom).

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  2. I LOVE that! I've been following your blog for awhile, but I think this is my first comment. Love your posts!

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  3. I l-o-v-e this!! Might even be brave enough to try! lol Thanks Disney!

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  4. I love this! As usual, you come up with some easy & great ways to replicate all the expensive stuff I see out there. Thanks!

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  5. I LOVE this....I will be adding this to my ever growing sewing "to try" list...great tutorieal...thanks!

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  6. Super Lovely! You are beautiful and a great model!

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  7. So pretty. Thank you for sharing this easy technique for a beautiful look! Also, I love your pearly pink pins :)

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  8. I just stumbled upon your blog ~ it's lovely!

    Thank you for the great idea ~ I think I may just be able to pull this one off myself.

    Jo

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  9. It looks great :-) the look without the expense. I have four daughters so it all seems to go on them. I LOVE it...

    Love all your ideas & they are simple to follow..

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  10. I love the cream on pink. Thank you for the tutorial! Now I just need pinking sheers, anyone know where to get good ones?

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  11. Disney, thanks so much for taking your time to read my email and try this great project! It's only recently I've stumbled apon your blog, and it's quickly become my favorite, as you always seem to gravitate to all that is feminine, graceful, and lovely. I've NO sewing skills whatsoever, but I'm inspired to give this shot! You make me feel as if I can do it! Thanks Again!

    Rach

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  12. I love it! I have so many things to look forward to making after I have this baby.

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  13. Disney, I've thought of your blog when I've looked at the Loft website. Love your tutorial- gorgeous tank! Perfect, thanks!

    Katie

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  14. Love it! Thanks for the tutorial!

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  15. Gorgeous! Dont you love seeing something with a heavy price tag and recreating it with stuff you already have? I am going to add this on my to-do list, which is a mile long right now!Enjoy your weekend(it's raining!)

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  16. I LOVE THIS!!!! You are so talented. Thanks for always sharing your good ideas with us.

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  17. I love this!!! I think I'm gonna go make me one now!!!

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  18. You're amazing! I have to say that I spent about an hour reading through your blog last night and I was so inspired, I HAD to make something. The problem is that I really had NOTHING on hand and my sewing machine is one stitch from the grave; however, I made two of your scarves...the knit, v-shaped scarves...from my hubby's old T-shirts and I LOVE them! So very cute. So thank you.
    -FringeGirl

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  19. Beautiful! Especially with the creme sweater and pearls.

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  20. Oh, of course! I am always looking for new embellished tees and tanks to make. It's so nice that they're in style now...

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  21. I LOVE IT!!!! I would never be able to wear it, but I would love to! Lol -Kelsee

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  22. disney, it's beautiful! thank you so much for sharing. it's so good to know that you can have beautiful clothes without spending a lot of money. i can't wait to learn how to sew!

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  23. I'm kind of a sucker for ruffles and this is something I have been brainstorming for awhile, so it was great to be able to see it in pictures. It looks great! I think it would look awesome on a little girl's shirt too or a onesie. Come visit my blog, I love to craft and sew as well...honeybearlane.blogspot.com.

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  24. I love this look and it came out great! I think I might be able to try this. Thanks for sharing!

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  25. well done! I didn't ask, and if it is a problem I can remove it, but I posted the picture of your flannel underwear ruffle necklace shirt on my blog with a link back to your tutorial. Please let me know if you would like me to remove it. Thanks - and again, very cute tank top makeover!

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  26. This is so cute. I think it looks great! I think I like it more that the ATL top. Great job!

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  27. Oh how wonderful. I live in Australia but discovered LOFT while over in the US for my brothers wedding in 2008. I bought an entire new wardrobe to take home with me as I had finally reached my post pregnancy weight. I love how you can look at something and make it. I love your blog.
    Thank you.

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  28. oh this is beautiful! I love love your color choices. Great, now here's another tutaorial I need to add to my list of "must do" !!

    crissy

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  29. Loverly...I think the pink and cream combination with the pearls was inspired!

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  30. I love, love your blog. ATL is having a sale right now - major clearance, but because I made a handmade/recycled/reused pledge at the beginning of the year, I have been so sad I am missing it. But alas, I can just make my own. Thanks for the tutorial.

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  31. Muitos parabens!!!! Ficou magnifico. Sónia Ferreira Paróla

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  32. Look how cute your little figure is! You are adorable! So pretty, Disney!

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  33. It's cute, but I do agree the knit seems too thick, the ruffles look a bit intrusive!

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  34. I am your biggest fan and am always completely inspired by you! And, I LOVE Kaiser rolls and cheese from Safeway - that is so random.

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  35. Super cute- and I like your colors better!

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  36. oh love this!! I've been without internet for one whole week and I've missed you!!! thank you for being such an inspiration

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  37. Fabulous!! I blogged your tutorial at Craft Gossip Sewing:
    http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-ann-taylor-inspired-ruffle-tank/2010/01/30/

    --Anne

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  38. Regarding the sewing basics - I would also love to see this - perfect example: I don't know where my tension is?! I have a sewing machine, but I have just taught myself...Thanks Disney! :)

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  39. ATL would be proud! I like your color choices more than the original one!

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  40. Oh, I just can't wait to make this! Think I'll be doing that today. Thank you! Your blog is one I go to everyday & is so inspiring!

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  41. Ah, back-stitching at either end of the ruffle to hold it in place! That will definitely help my ruffles from flattening out at the ends!

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  42. I loved it i might do it to my daughter, thanks

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  43. You are truly talented! Thanks you for posting ideas and how to do it! You inspire me!

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  44. I LOVE this top!! I can't wait to try it out!! I don't think mine will come out as good the first time though!! LOL

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  45. A lover of sewing without a lot of time, wanted to let you know that at my local "LOFT", at least yesterday, all clearance was 50% off! Bought a similar tank for $7.99. Not bad!!

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  46. I LOVE THIS!!! OMG I have to make it!

    Thanks so much!!
    -xoxo
    E

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  47. Thanks for the great idea. I spruced up a long sleeve shirt of my daughters last night using your idea.

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  48. I could see this with a row of buttons down the middle. Not sure whether I have something suitable to cut up though.

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  49. Very pretty, thanks for the inspiration!

    Jenn

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  50. That looks so lovely! I want to try that for a tshirt I bought at Banana Republic...here's hoping it works out!

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  51. I seriously cant believe how ironic this is! I was recently shopping with my mom and saw that Loft tank. I came home wanting to make it. So today I set out to find a tutorial that would be similar and I found yours, which is EXACTLY what I was looking for! Thank you so much!

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  52. I love it. Great tutorial! And I love the pictures! I've started a new Thursday linkup party called Make it, Wear it in case you are interested in linking up!

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  53. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!!
    my sisters and i are so inspired!!

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  54. Looks great!

    I have a question!
    When you make clothing with ruffles or scrunched up handmade flowers or something similar, do you hand wash them or send them through the machine/dryer and iron them out afterwards? I've always wondered what other people do.

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  55. I tried making this tonight...it didn't turn out quite like yours did, and my husband said it looks a little bit like a big ravioli :) I love the inspiration from your blog--thanks so much for taking the time to do your tutorials! I'm going to try this one again with a different fabric to see if that makes a difference.

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  56. you are so brave and inspirational.
    i love it.

    now, i analysed these two... and my conclusion is that you should consider cutting yours back a tiny bit... making the ruffles just a tiny touch smaller...
    that i think would do the trick to make the look just 'that much' lighter so that things fall into place.

    OR.... i'd 'polka-dot' the entire front with pearl beads so that the pink is played up.... I think you'd like this also.

    anyhow, have an inspired day, and stop by us sometime when you have time.

    tada
    rose

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  57. Oh.. I just found your blog. I really love what you did to the tank.. Really made it so girly and feminine.. I love ruffles.. Thanks for the tutorial. I will have to try this...

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  58. I have so many tanks & scraps of fabric, I can totally do this! I cant wait to try it... just as soon as it stops raining ; )

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  59. this is very cute...will definetely try it...

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  60. I am SO trying this. Thanks once again!

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  61. Thanks so much for the directions and the inspiration. I bought 2 tanks at Old Navy today and made it this evening! Very easy because your directions are so clear. Thanks again for laying it all out for us!

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  62. My 8 year old daughter walked in while I was looking at this and said "Oh that's CUTE!" so I guess I know what I'm making for her! Thanks for the pattern. Now to find a good pair of pinking shears.

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  63. I honestly like yours better, due to the length of it and the fullness.

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  64. The ruffles look pretty though how would the bottom look if it were stitched or tacked to bottom and not hanging out from top?

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  65. Thank you so much! You are so creative! I'm going to make one tonight with a tank top I never wear,but instead of material, I'm going to make my ruffle out of some wide lace and hand sew some pearls down the middle. I love tutorials, keep 'em coming! Love your blog!

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  66. so cute cant wait to show my sewing class at school

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  67. Wow this is awesome! love the idea, I have tons of shirts like that, and I'm getting really bored of using just plain. I think I have to buy a sewing machine <3

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  68. WOW!!!! You rock!! Please keep sharing with us!!

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  69. I like yours better than the original... Thanks for sharing!

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  70. Fabulous tank! I love it. I have a question. What it the length of fabric strips you used before gathering?

    Again, tank is adorable and this idea could be used in a number of garments.

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