Free to Be Me Tank by Ellie and Mac
/Hi all, Tasha from Sewn at Seams here with a review of the Free to Be Me Tank from Ellie and Mac. When I first saw the review call, I was drawn to the fact that it could be made with either knits or wovens. I also liked the looser fit on the tank because I could immediately see this pattern pulling double duty when it comes to my girls. I will admit that can sometimes be a little bit of challenge to sew for my daughters because they are built so differently. Anytime I tackle a sewing project for them I try and make sure it is something that they can share now or something that can easily be passed down once outgrown. That being said, the Free to Be Me Tank looked like a great option for that.
I decided to use a woven fabric for the tank and use cotton lycra for the bands to make sure they were nice and comfortable for my daughters. The pattern is a pretty straight forward sew with front and back pattern pieces to print and cut out. You then reference the cut chart to determine the length and width for the neck and arm bindings as well as the length for the back elastic. Based on that I would rate this pattern as beginner. It includes tips throughout and is written so that you can easily follow the construction using a sewing machine, serger, or combination of machines.
The pattern is drafted to be similar to ready to wear sizes so while it does not include a body measurement chart, it does have finished measurements listed so that you can make the necessary adjustments to fit your child(ren). My only suggestion would be to baste/pin your straps and try on before finishing the back. Following the listed measurements, the straps were a little long for my youngest but was simple to cut off the excess length. The elastic encased in the back means the tank has a secure fit while also being comfortable. I wasn’t sure if the longer length on the sides would cause any issues for my youngest but she was able to move about and play as usual.
Overall, the Free to Be Me Tank is an easy pattern that went together without any issues. I can see how it can it would be a great way to use panels as well as mix and match fabrics to really let your little one’s personality shine through. I know I definitely plan to make a few more of these.
Rebekah's Version:
Today Nicole reviews a 90's inspired dress by Ellie and Mac. The I love the 90's dress features two sleeve and two bodice/back options and is a quick sew.