It all started with an e-mail. From Stacey. A question. A straightforward question. How, she asked, do Adrianna and I think this was made? And then we discussed. And I think I discussed enough that I convinced poor Stacey that it was too complicated. Boo. But I did think it was complicated. Until I tried it. Not so complicated. And I documented the process so that you can try it too. Not that mine is an exact copy. No, we’ll call this an “inspired by.” I still have a few other ideas to try to make it more like the original piece. But I’m liking this for now, and I hope Stacey likes it too.
Now, if it were Adrianna making this one, she’d make a tank from scratch. Not only because the inexpensive-tank-buying-options are few in her ‘hood, but because she can make a tank in about twelve minutes, including a break for a mint milano. She’s the sew-er and I’m the embellish-er. So I got to shopping. Two tanks for $4.50 each. I chose these because I thought that the knit was lightweight enough to make ruffle-y pleats but not so lightweight that it couldn’t possibly flatter a mommy body. A critical consideration.
I put one aside and laid out the other to chop it up. Down the side seams, across the top and bottom so that I have two clean rectangles.
A lotta pins in a small space. Tucking ends underneath the upper ruffle/pleat wherever possible.
Allllmost done. I’ve used 1/2″ strips in the top row of the doo-flahtchies and 3/4″ strips for the bottom. The sacrificial tank eeeked out just enough to work with.
Aaaahhhhhhh. In the end, so much less painful than I made it out to be.
Dominique @ Craft Couture says
So adorable! Nice tutorial too! I would love it if you linked up to my party :).
dominiquescraftcouture.blogspot.com
Katie says
Super cute!
Kim @ seven thirty three says
I LOVE ruffled, er, pleated? tanks. Looking at this I TOTALLY think I could do it! I have a store bought one that I wear a lot with a cardi and get so many compliments… hmmmm – wish I had a Target near by!
Kyra says
I like it. Good job!
Care says
Oh, it is gorgeous!!
Kyra says
insert a round of little Aubrey hand claps!
Taylor {Sew Much Love} says
Gorgeous! I actually likes yours better! That’s awesome! Thanks so much for the tutorial!
houseonhilltop says
So Cute and creative. Great way to re-purpose. Thanks for sharing.
Ana says
This is great!
Jen Lara says
Super cute tank and perfect for us less-endowed gals.
Thanks for the helpful tutorial.
Stacey says
Ahhhhhh! You so ROCK. I can’t believe you made one. And it looks perfect. Is it seriously coming my way? You are the B-E-S-T, especially since I was definitely chickening out. Why am I writing here, I’m calling. right. now.
Larissa says
This entire tutorial had me giggling but when I got to you laying Marjorie down and how close the two of you are now, I literally spewed Dr. Pepper out of my nose. And the tank is awesome too :)
Corinnea says
Very cute!
Lesley says
This is amazing! Wonderful work!
Sarah Faith says
love it! thanks so much! i will be using this idea.
Rissa @ Hazel and Honeysuckle says
This looks fantastic! *adds it to the things-to-try list* Very nice!
Anna says
beautiful! for some reason I always feel guilty about cutting into a perfectly usable piece of clothing, gotta get over that. hehehe
MARYAM says
JUST USE ONE INCH WIDE RIBBON THAT MATCHES OR COORDINATES TO YOUR COLOR AND FABRIC, AND PLEAT YOURSELF AWAY !
twobutterflies says
I am sooo making one of these!!
Melanie Jade says
So cute! I love your tip about adding the interfacing – I don’t know enough about sewing to think of things like that, but I do know enough to completely botch a job! Ha! I saw this top in the Garnet Hill catalog as well and wondered if it could be easily made. Great tutorial!!
la casa della sarta says
mi piace molto la tua idea, molto bello il top lacasadellasarta.blogspot.com ….. lili venite a trovarmi e se vi piace rimanete
allison @ itstoilegood.blogspot.com says
Completely LOVE this refashion! Having a quick Tank Refashion Party (inspired by Old Navy’s sale this weekend) and would LOVE it if you linked up this awesome idea!
http://itstoilegood.blogspot.com/2011/06/2-tanks-mean-tank-refashions.html
Kristal says
I love this SOOOOO much!!! Thanks for breaking it down and making it not so scary. I think I’ll have to try it!
Delicious Shots says
I love it!! great idea!
tank top dress says
This is adorable! I love ruffle dress!