Just a Little Tank Top

I wrote recently about sewing due to frugality. I have another example today. Years ago I picked up this cotton knit at Value Village. It sat for awhile, and then I tried making a dress. I didn't have quite enough knowledge yet to get it to look like what I wanted. I wanted a ruched section in the middle. I struggled and struggled and wasn't very happy with my end result.

Fast forward six years and Megan wanted a cold shoulder skater girl dress and this was the fabric she picked from my stash. I was a little disappointed to give it up to her, LOL. 

 I improved so much in those years! I hacked a tshirt pattern into a dress, figured out the cold shoulder sleeves with the help of an online tutorial, and did a V back.  The only thing missing was pockets!

Okay, the V back isn't perfect, but still looks pretty darn good.

I was amazed at how well the sleeves turned out. 

Even more amazing was that her cousin showed up wearing the exact dress in black---that was store bought. 

I still had some fabric left, but not really a large enough piece for anything. After making the other skirt, I decided to take apart the dress, and make a skirt. Once I took it apart, I didn't have enough to cut the pieces from the other pattern, so I cheated and pretty much just put in a waistband and pockets, onto the skirt part of the dress. I couldn't re-use the top pieces, so I had to get creative with what was left from the stash. 

Colour blocking lace to the rescue!

I didn't have enough for the front so the top of the straps got lace.

 The back yoke got lace! The lace was from a faux "Belly Band" I had made. I just wasn't reaching for them anymore. And yes, it needs a sway back adjustment. I didn't have enough left to cut a one piece back, so with the centre seam I have no excuse why I didn't do it.

 There is a bit of pulling at the sides

 I think this is the Itch to Stitch "Lago" tank (free!), and I don't think I did a FBA. Perhaps next time I will add just a smidge, especially if the fabric isn't too stretchy.

Not sure what I was showing, except my happiness! It had been a hot day at school and I loved my outfit. 

And wouldn't you know...I don't have a picture of the skirt. Imagine the skirt and bodice of that dress at the top, with an elastic waist, and pockets.  I wore it a couple times with a brown short sleeve sweater and a brown t-shirt. I decided the brown t-shirt was too worn for school (but I liked that it had a wide neck band, almost a yoke). So I decided to order some brown fabric to make something fresh. I haven't gotten to that yet. Soon! Maybe that should be next on my sewing list. I was going to make a dress, but unless I find some boots, dress season is coming to a close. 

So, from that one Value Village purchase, I made one tween dress, one temporary dress, a tank and a skirt that both fit into my wardrobe easily.