The Last of Summer Sewing: Victory Patterns Simone Tank

Truly it is still hot here in North Texas. We got a cool front last week and it was gray, rainy and chilly. We were all ready for Fall. Then it got hot again. Right now I'm procrastinating going out for a run in the heat and humidity. I'm just not a morning person and can't get out there early like smart people do. I'm so ready for it to cool down again.

Well, it took me so long to get back to writing this post that it is now officially Fall and for once the weather here in Texas is doing what it is supposed to do.  It is simply beautiful and perfect out there.  All this is to say that yes, this Simone tank from Victory patterns was the last of my Summer sewing for this year.  I have a few other Summer pieces that were never photographed, but have moved on to transitional sewing, just having finished a lightweight Kimono and am working on a pair of linen pants.



This top started with the indigo shibori linen that my mom dyed and gifted to me when I said that I loved it. She is so generous, just like my Granny was. When we visited in July and mom and I dyed like mad women I did the solid indigo, overdying a large yardage of yellowish linen that was a major thrift store score. I still have several yards of that lovely blue to make something fabulous with.

Here is a detail of my top.  I sewed down the pleats to somewhat minimize the fullness.  I love the details in this pattern, it is excellently drafted in my opinion. The only adjustment that I made was taking it up at the shoulders, but that is a typical alteration for me. Isn't the fabric gorgeous?! I just love the bits of pink that remained from whatever color this linen started out.

 As you can see the top still has plenty of fullness and swing with the pleats put under submission.


I love the back of this top. The way it is fitted through the upper back and flares out at the bottom is super flattering.

 

I definitely intend to make the dress version of this pattern at some point in the future. I love all the opportunities for utilizing different fabrics. In this version I left off the piping around the front placket. I have heard some complaints that the instructions were not well written for this pattern. Honestly I didn't have a problem with them, and even really liked the way that the instructions have you attach the front placket to the main body of the top. However, I would consider myself an intermediate sewist and mostly put this together intuitively, not relying heavily on the instructions or illustrations. I love this pattern enough that I will definitely purchase and make more designs from Victory Patterns. I think they are wearable, modern, different and fun. Call me smitten.