Welcome, August! We’re one month closer to fall weather, hooray! We’ve had a very rainy summer here in Tucson, so it’s been a little cooler than normal… well if you think the low 90’s are considered cool. I forgot just how drained and lazy I feel during the summer here – I thought I would get a ton of sewing done since we spend all of our time indoors to escape the heat, but lately I’ve only been getting a lot of video game and vegging on the couch time.
But every once in a while I can peel myself off of the couch to make magic with my sewing machine. Today I’m sharing the Aurora Tank from the Colette Patterns Seamwork Magazine June issue. I think I have a new favorite, y’all!
You’re probably thinking the fabric looks awfully familiar. You’re right – I used this fabric to make my Mesa shift dress and I seem to only want to make Seamwork patterns with it. But don’t worry, this is probably the last time you’ll see this fabric because the Aurora Tank used up my scraps!
My busy print doesn’t highlight the cute design elements in the pattern, so here’s the line drawing:
The yoke can be made with a contrasting fabric, which I’m thinking of doing for Aurora #2. There are gathers at the front straps and a pleat in the center back. If you look really closely, you can see it in my tank. Try not to get a migraine from the craziness of the fabric, though.
The pattern states this is a 2-hour project. I think it took me about 3.5 to 4 hours from cutting to hemming. Of course the bulk of this was made in my Sit and Sew group, so I took a lot of breaks to eat fruit and pastries and catch up with my sewing friends. 🙂
I love the curved hemline as I think it adds some interest and I feel like it sits better on my hips. I also like how there’s decent coverage on top so it could work as a work top with a cardigan. I’m also digging how the yoke does a great job of covering bra straps. No indecency here!
I cut a small on top, grading to a medium from the waist down. I didn’t make any more tweaks and it came out perfectly! I’m so stoked about this, especially after my fitting issues with the Mesa pattern. This calls for a celebratory pose!
I have lots of leftover knit fabric from previous projects, so I’m hoping to get around to making many more of these. The fit is so easy and breezy and I think it would make a super cute dress if you just lengthen the pattern! So many fun possibilities!
There’s not much else to say about this pattern except GO GET IT AND MAKE IT! I’ll leave you with my attempt at a high-fashion supermodel pose.
And I wonder why I haven’t been discovered yet…?
So tell me, have you made any Seamwork patterns yet? The August issue is out now (swimsuit stuff) but these June patterns are still my favorite!
-RED
Sew RED-y 
I love your celebratory pose! The curved hem is lovely, I always think they’re so flattering! I haven’t subscribed to Seamwork yet, do you recommend it?
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I recommend waiting until it’s released to see if you like the patterns. I have been stalking Seamwork and subscribed when I fell in love with the June patterns. I then unsubscribed so it won’t keep charging me every month (it’s only $6/month, but that adds up!). The awesome thing is you can resubscribe any time you want and as many times as you want. 🙂
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Haha, awesome pics😀Love this top!
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Thanks! 😀
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Oh that is LOVELY. I must make mine. And ten out of ten for your fierce model pose!
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Bahaha I get a little wacky when I run out of the “normal” poses.
Yes, yes, make yours! I want to see another Aurora other than my own. 🙂
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This tank has really been the only Seamwork pattern that has interested me. I’m holding off until next sprng though. Since you’re going to make more, check out Grayallday’s blog she, has a tut for doing those gathered bits at the front yoke by machine instead of hand stitching.
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Awesome, thanks for telling me about Grayallday’s blog! I like her versions and it’s giving me ideas to mix in some woven fabric for the yoke piece. 😀
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You are too hilarious with your posing!! lol I have subscribed to seam work starting with the second issue and I totally haven’t made anything yet…oops! Lol I just ordered some lovely fabric from GC yesterday AND the moneta pattern 😉 I finally did it!! Lol
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Haha I need to find better inspiration for my posing. I bust out that weird side-airplane pose too often. 😉
I guess the good thing about the Seamwork patterns is they don’t take too long to make, so when you decide to get started on one, it should be easy!
Oh lawdy I just started on my 5th Moneta in a GC fabric. Come join the hordes of Moneta-loving zombies! It’s a really great pattern!
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Hahaha whenever I have posed I just look angry or really weird with crazy faces haha
Yeah I’ve define fly been admiring all the monetas on al the different body types so I’m sure I will LOVE IT. Thanks for giving me the moneta-zombie infecting bite though Hahahahaha
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Helena at Gray all Day let me on to this pattern too. This is such a great tank! The yoke leaves the door open for endless possibilities, and the lines seem so bra friendly. Every time summer rolls around, I recoil at the thought of seeing others going around in super cute tops but unfettered as it were in the underwear department. Not a good look and not a comfortable one I think. Yay for patterns that help a girl out towards that end. I haven’t tried Seamwork patterns yet. Your advice to wait and see if you like the patterns is really good. I can’t justify $72/yr for just a few patterns that I’d actually use. I’d rather put that towards a Burda subscription which will give me a whole lotta pattern fuel for years afterwards. Call me cheap. 😉
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I absolutely love this tank! It will be a great stash-buster, too since I have so many 1 yard-or-less scraps lying around. The good thing is I can almost wear tank tops year-round since Arizona is pretty warm. And I do have to admit that a few times I am that woman with the rogue bra straps. Oh, the shame!
I admit I wait for the $1 Big 4 sales at Joann’s. Actually they have bumped their sale prices up to almost $2/pattern now and I’m having a cow about it, LOL. I also try and wait for an indie pattern company sale and then buy more than one pattern to make the shipping worthwhile. I think most of us got into sewing to try and save a little money (or at least have more control over price vs. quality). So call us all cheap! 😉
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Totally cute and easy breezy top! Love the print and the blonde hair!
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Thank you! ❤
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I just signed up for Seamworks – I’ve been following Colette for some time and LOVE her patterns. I’m excited about trying out some of the patterns – I’ve never done a PDF downloadable pattern but everyone is saying it’s so easy and convenient.
I love this top! It looks just lovely on you and just the sort of top you reach for on those hot days in summer or even under a sweater or blazer in the fall when you don’t want to add more heat to the outer garment. You did such a brilliant, neat job! Thank you for posting.
Sincerely,
Kathleen
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PDF patterns aren’t too bad – the only problem is storing them neatly since there’s no original packaging and computer paper gets bulky. I find using gallon Zip-Lock bags works great for storing them, though! I kind of have my eye on the Moji pants in this month’s issue…. I might have to re-subscribe just to get my hands on them!
Thank you for the comments about my top! ❤ I love this and always feel somewhat put-together when I wear it. I need more of these in my life for sure!!! 🙂
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#1 – You are absolutely gorgeous
#2 – This shirt fabric is gorgeous
#3 – How am I now finding out about you? *clicks follow*
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#1 – Awww, you’re too sweet!
#2 – *Sigh* Isn’t it? And it’s comfy to boot!
#3 – Yaaaay, welcome aboard!! ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
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