DIY tank dress

Made by Laquana

I want to share the fruits of my drafting labor, yay!  As always, you can use a good fitting t-shirt pattern if you’re not team draft.  Remember, trace off a copy before making extreme changes and follow along.  If you follow me on IG, I usually show more pictures and small videos (in my highlights).  I’ll try to take pictures of the process for the blog. 

Made by Laquana
A few weeks ago, I drafted my knit bodice and sleeve block and I wanted a simple tank dress.  I decided to use my block instead of a pattern because I don’t have a TNT tank pattern.  I wear tank tops, but I’ve never made them so this was a good opportunity.  I traced my front and back knit bodice blocks onto paper and then started the process of creating the tank silhouette.  I cheated and used a tank top I really like to get my neckline and armhole shape, why recreate the wheel?  Because my block stops at the waist, I added 54″ to get this length.  I added a neckline and armhole bands and used my coverstitch machine to finish the hem.
Also, the books I have on drafting and pattern making do not give a lot of details and I don’t know if it’s because they focus on flat pattern making?  I think if I draped, I could have drawn my neckline and armhole.  So, I think copying a garment you have is a great way to get the elements of a design without buying yet another pattern (I have hundreds!!).
Made by Laquana
I purchased this fabric from Fabric Mart and I really like the tie-dye, I knew it was double brushed poly but boy is it hot.  I like double brushed poly because of the prints and the weight.  It’s hard sometimes for me to find a good midweight with good drape in nice prints so I buy more poly than I really should.  
That’s it, I’m in full Tops that Pop prep so over the next few post, I hope to bring a new top or dress.  I’m thinking they will all be TNT patterns or self drafted.   You never know, I may try a new to me pattern either from my collection or a new release, I haven’t decided.
Are you going to participate in Tops that Pop?  Click here for the info on Dressmaking Debacles’ blog post.  Can’t wait to see your tops.
Sewalong

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