Back in June I printed off one of the latest patterns (then it was!) by Seamwork – The Aurora Tank.
I was inspired by Helena from GrayAllDay patterns to make one. She made one every day for a week and came up with some fab colour combos, and she also discovered that the yoke could be make in a woven as well as a jersey.
Photo from Seamwork
I traced the pattern off back then, but it wasn’t until a couple of days before our trip to Taunton in July that I got round to whipping one up. Not sure if it took me 2 hours – I did cut some corners.
I used a remnant of a jersey from my stash, and for the yoke I had some of the stretch denim from my recently made capri pants.
I thought the denim would be too thick for the inside of the yoke so i was going to use an old black viscose top.
After I’d cut it out I got lazy and decided the yoke didn’t need an inside as I was going to finish the seams different to the instructions.
After sewing it all together I decided I like the contrasting stay stitching on the denim:
So I had a play around with fancy stitches on some scrap fabric, unpicked the stay stitching and did this:
Cool don’t ya think! A few of my buddies thought I’d hand stitched it! For the jersey part I just left the stay stitching in place to stop it stretching out, and left the bottom unhemmed. How lazy am I!!
I found the armscye a touch high, even if they had a proper hem I still think they’d be too high:
I just chopped some fabric away and redid the stay stitching. I did smooth out the cutting!
I’m not loosing sleep over the unfinishedness of this make – I think it makes it more like a lot of the RTW stuff out there that I want to finish off!
It matches my capris and I’ve worn it quite a few times already.
H took some shots for me, he’s becoming more willing:
And the back:
Then when we were in Taunton one evening we walked along the canal into town and had the perfect photo shoot opportunity:
Could have done with my shades on!
And no I wasn’t about to jump in!
There goes another quick little number!
My next make dragged on a while – it’s taken me about 3 weeks on and off to make my Emily Culottes. Yes! You heard right! I’ve made culottes! Just need some pix and they’ll be with you shortly!
I finished them today and the jury’s still out on them – hubby and mum like then but I’m still not sure. Can’t wait to show you and find out what your verdict is!
T H I M B E R L I N A 
Gorgeous, I love it! Great fabric!!
Thankyou! The jersey has been in my stash a while, it must have been waiting for this moment to shine! 🙂
ooooh, like the fancy stitching, and the denim jersey combo. I don’t mind the unfinishedness of it either, there’s something relaxed and summery about it. The pics are lovely and so is the light on you. It looks really good with the capri. I’m looking forward to seeing the culottes, i’m seriously curious.
Thanks for the lovely comments! Wonder if the culotte thing will catch on like the jumpsuits! 😉
This is such a nice combination. I like the use of your fancy machine stitching for emphasizing the yoke.
Thanks – I’ve never used them before on clothes and it was purely accidental how it happened! 🙂
I like your decorative stitching- adds a little something extra! And I like the tank pattern too. I will need to make myself a few. It is perfect for summer and a little nicer than a basic tank because of the yoke! Looking forward to the culottes!
Yup definitely a bit dressier than the usual plain tank, and I love how it matches my capris 🙂
Boy, that turned out really cute–love the fabric combination! Perfect vacation wear with your capris.
Thanks, i’m really pleased with it, and it looks lovely with my denim skirt too if I want to get my legs out!
What a lovely little top! I really like it – very different! 👏
Thanks Corrine, bet you’ll be whipping up all sorts now you’ve now you’re made the bridesmaid dress you’ll seem to have more time. 😉
Ooo like this! Love the stitching on it too. Would look nice on a dress hem too!?! 😍
Oooo yes it would! And I’m just doing a crafty course about fancy seams and I’ve learnt how to add lace sections into fabric – could have it matching my stitches! 😉
It goes so well with your capris. The perfect outfit for a walk along the canal on a sunny evening. I wait to be convinced about culottes!!
My culottes are denim and would probably go with this top too! 😉
Pretty top. Now that’s what encourages me to get my machine out, a bit of fancy stitching 🙂
I’m waiting for the time you do! Have you seen lladybird’s outfit along? – they’ve all be seeing something and knitting a cardigan to match. 😃
It will happen – there’s a lot of sewing ideas swirling in my head, although none are wearable – all for the house or gifts. The garden’s really taking my time still, but hopefully soon that will slow down. Just taken a peak at the outfit along, which looks a fab idea. Maybe it should be one of my challenges for next year. Give me a kick about it when I start muttering about plans for 2016 🙂
Will do! 😃
Nice! Looks lovely with your jeans. I’m not usually one for the unfinished look but this I love – and your decisive stitching is great. It does look like perfect hand stitching. There are loads of culotte styles so looking forward to seeing what you have chosen.
Thanks for the comments & stopping by! Culottes done! Tank looks good with them too! 😃
It really doesn’t matter whether it’s ‘finished’ or not as all patterns are just somebody else’s version and up for interpretation. Whatever makes you happy. I love your use of decorative stitching too, and also thought it was hand embroidery!
Maybe next time I’ll keep quiet that my machine does fancy stitches! 😃
Love this! I think you have just made me decide what pattern to do next to get back into sewing! You always do! The fabric combination is really great and I love the little embroidery touches.
Oh yes, it’d be great – quick results and stylish too! 😀
Lovely fabric and I like the decorative stitching idea – nice work!
Thank you! I’m pleased with the effect of them and think there’ll be some more in future makes! 😀
Cute combo! I love it. I need to use the decorative stitches on my machine more often. Why else did I pay top dollar for the machine? (besides all the cool features?)
Thanks! I bet there’s not many who use them to there full potential. Maybe we should add a new stitch a week to our Sunday sevens! 😀
I like! The denim is a nice touch on the top, never would have thought of it. Looks great with the capris, and what a perfect location to romp around.
Thanks! It’s comfy for being stretch but smart/casual too! Need to find some more places to romp now I’m home! 😃
Lovely top and I love the contrast stitching – for a second I wondered if your hand sewn it too! The contrast yoke works really well, I bet you’ll get loads of wear out of this 🙂
It’d take forever if I did! Thank goodness for sewing machines! 😃
The top looks great. Raw edges aren’t lazy they’re trendy and “edgy”. Looks as if you had good weather in Somerset you look very tanned ( must be all that time watching cricket)
It was lovely, thanks! Weathers been lovely, and it’s surprising how much the tan comes on just being outside without it being too hot. ☀️
Whoops! Forgot to mention how much I like that stitch you used for the straps! Another great make!
Thanks Del 😃
Nice colour combinations!
Thanks Linda! Love it when it’s not a plan and it sort of just all happens by accident! 😀
What a nice top. I like the contrasting yoke – wow wasn’t it eco-friendly. Also love the cute little gathers! Really suits you!
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