This summer one of my goals was to make some tank style tops for myself. I have long loved the patterns and styles of Rae at Made by Rae. I fell in love with the lines of her Ruby top and was excited to stitch up a few. After my day of fun trip to my favorite fabric store, I snatched up a few fabrics to put these together and when I got home I promptly got started.
Overall, this is a pretty simple and very well written pattern to put together. I love how it lends itself to so many different variations…not to mention that it can be a top or a dress. There’s a great flickr pool with all the different ways that people have put these together.
My biggest issue with this pattern was sizing and honestly it wasn’t the fault of the pattern, but just my tiny shoulders and bust. I tend to always sew a size up a little bit when I use a pattern for the first time (it’s always easier to take it in and you can’t ever add it back!). After posting the pics on instagram, Rae herself actually commented (how cool is that!?)and suggested making a size small for the yoke and a medium for the bottom…so I will definitely try that again.
After wearing both versions a few times and realizing that they were just too big in the shoulders, I did end up taking some the yoke apart at the shoulders and underarms and bringing it in some. I wore the lighter colored one a few weeks back with a belt and loved how it turned out.
I’m excited to try this pattern again and maybe even try the dress version. I do really think it’s one that I’ll keep and sew again and again, now that I have the sizing down. I highly recommend it!