Skip to main content

Simplicity 8338 workout tank top - pattern review

It's a new year and that means it's time to get in shape! The best motivation is a super cute self-sewn workout top, right? Definitely.

I had bought a really cute nylon-spandex remnant from LA Finch Fabrics a while ago, thinking I might make another swimsuit but since I really didn't need the last swimsuit I made (I have a TON) I decided I could use it to make myself an exercise top and Simplicity 8338 was right there in my pattern stash waiting to be called into service.



I decided to make view B with the gathered back. While C is also pretty cute, can you imagine doing a downward dog in that? It would probably fall off ☺and I'm not really into that.

Pros of this pattern

  • Really simple directions and easy to construct!
  • Each back is printed separately on the pattern tissue so you can easily make different views without having to trace anything.
  • I was able to make this from just 5/8 of a yard of 60" fabric, this is less than the pattern says you'll need. Suspiciously, the pattern envelope says you need more fabric for view A which has a straight cut back than view B which has a gathered back...so maybe the envelope is not very accurate.
Cons of this pattern
  • Holy moly there is a ton of ease! I measure a size M bust, L waist and XL hip but I made a straight size medium and it's still plenty big. If I had graded to my size for waist/hip it would have been like wearing a tent. Actually when I looked at the pattern pieces I could already tell it would have been way too large for me if I'd done an XL hip.

  • You're supposed to bind the neck/armhole. This is just my preference but I hate sewing on binding with a passion and I will do anything to avoid it. I used the pattern pieces for the binding but cut them out as narrow bands instead. Next time I'll make the bands a smidge wider to give myself some room for error but I'd already cut them when I realized they were for binding and I didn't have enough fabric to cut new ones. I didn't sew super accurately in a couple of spots and my band is really thin as a result.
Overall a quick and easy project, I can't wait to go to the gym and wear my new top!


Update: as part of the "2020 quarantine collection" I made a second version of this and it is fabulous with the reverse coverstitching I added. I used maxi-lock swirls color change thread in color tie-dye punch and wow does it pop! I'm gonna look cute when my gym re-opens!


I will say, having done this another time, serging the gathered back on to the top piece is very challenging. I machine basted them together before serging and I still have a little pucker in the exact same spot. I actually unpicked this second and tried a third time and same little pucker. Blerg.

I also took in the hip about half a size, since my first one was so big. This is still a loose fit but much better than the original. That means I measure an XL hip and made a S/M (about halfway between) and it's still plenty big.

 This post contains affiliate links, if you make a purchase using one of these links this blog may receive a small commission. Thank you for your support of my fabric habit!
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

George and Ginger 40k Sway - Pattern Review

Final product - 40k Sway George and Ginger Patterns gave the 40k Sway pattern away to celebrate having 40,000 members in their Facebook group. Look at how cute that neckline is? Of course I had to make this super cute freebie. As an extra bonus, there are directions for making a functional placket opening or faux opening. I opted for the faux placket because it's marginally easier and I have no reason that I need the opening to work but if you needed access to a port or to breastfeed, this top design would be great! I measure a size L12 (full bust 38") but I was at the top of the size range and worried it wouldn't fit in my arms so I decided to go up to an L14 and graded out to an XL16 hip. I checked my fabric stretch before sewing it as I was using a French Terry which is not always very stretchy. My fabric had 50% horizontal stretch and minimal vertical stretch (maybe 10%); the pattern says it needs 50% 2-way stretch so I thought I would be fine. Um.....no....It was way...
2 comments
Read more

Annelaine Patterns Kids Firecracker Dress - Pattern Review

About a year ago, Annelaine patterns had a going out of business sale. It makes me sad when patterns companies close up! Though I will admit I hadn't purchased from them before they were going out of business, I bought a bunch of their patterns in their closing sale, after all it was my last chance! Though it does seem like they are still around, their website is still up? Not sure what is going on as I received many emails telling me I had to download the patterns by a specific date. If you want this pattern act fast! So far the only pattern I have actually made from this pattern buying frenzy, is the kids Firecracker Dress. I really love the cute cross back of this pattern! I would 100% have bought this in my size if they had it and made it for myself. Directions I am a fairly experienced sewist and a lot of times I can put a pattern together without paying much attention to the directions. However, make sure you read the directions and I would even say to read all of them before...
Post a Comment
Read more

Twig + Tale wild things baby shoes - Pattern review

I don't buy a lot of indie patterns but these Wild Things baby shoes from Twig + Tale were too cute to resist. This was my first pattern from Twig + Tale which mostly has patterns for children, since I don't have kids, I don't make a lot of kids' patterns. completed raccoons I have a friend who is currently pregnant with twins and I wanted to make some things to send her for the little ones. These baby shoes were just so cute I had to make them. I suppose I should also make her something practical, like burp cloths but we need something cute too, right? I have made baby shoes before and found it quite challenging because they are so darn small. I think the first time I made a size 0-3 months, which is tiny. It can be hard to work with such a small seam allowance and sew around a curve if you are inexperienced, which I was. If you are an inexperienced sewist, it will help if you choose a larger size. completed foxes I later made another pair and did like...
Post a Comment
Read more