Simple Tank - Simple Details

Nine Times Out Of Ten I love a quick project. The Ann's Tank is a simple, one night sew. Start to finish.

Then again, there are nights when I'm in the mood to add a little more detail.  One easy way to do that is to start with a simple pattern like the Ann's Tank, one I know all too well, then add embellishment.

First I started out with this funky floral knit.  Right off, using a printed knit adds a little more sophistication, making a basic tank a little more feminine.

The basic construction of the tank follows the pattern. 

1. Sew the side seams to the hemline, leaving the hem edge raw. 

2. Simply turn the armhole to the wrong side and stitch.  Follow option #2 on the pattern.

3. The fun part comes with the neckline finishes. Leave the floral neckline edge raw. Add green knit pleating details along the entire neckline.

Here's how it was done:

• Measure the neckline.
• Cut a 2" wide strip of a stable knit like this luxurious Organic French Terry. You will have at least 2 strips of stable knit: neckline length x 2.
• Start at the iron, loosley create 1/2" pleats. You don't have to be exact-no measuring involved.
• To keep your pleats in place, attach Fusible Hem Tape to the wrong side.
• To attach your pleats to the tank neckline, fuse pleats along tank raw edge using Fusi-Web.
• Topstitch pleats to tank 1/4" from each raw edge using a contrasting thread.

And Voila! I happen to think it's pretty fancy! And it will still keep me cool all summer long.