It’s not often I sew something solid black… but one thing my wardrobe lacks is “good” clothes for going out or to events. (Do I go out or to events? Um, no. Stop being logical. I’m justifying sewing more clothes!)
This is a black crepe knit version of the Hey June Santa Fe top. Like my first tank version, I cut the hem straight instead of curved – I like the extra length at the sides!
Best thing about this top? It’s perfect for showing off bold necklaces! And it’s got lots of room for eating and slouching. Ahhh, I’m so classy! (To be classier, I should probably not wear it with jeggings.)
Next I’d like to make some kind of slightly posh-but-comfortable dress that would work for nicer-than-average events. I’d even go woven and solid… but a bit of ease would be nice! And nothing too twee, please. Any suggestions for fabric or patterns?
Crafting A Rainbow 
I love your top. Make it again lengthened to be a dress and you’ll have a great LBD for the summer.
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I”m seriously tempted to make this pattern into a dress! I just need to find enough yardage – this swingy shape really eats up fabric when it’s longer!
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A black tank is so elegant and versatile! I just made something similar myself (modified the Scout Tee to a knit tank top) and it’s perfect for when I want to look nice, but not too dressed up. For the dress… maybe something like the Saltspring or Southport in a rayon challis or crepe?
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Yours is so pretty! Love the colour. (I’ve only seen the thumbnail in my blog feed – haven’t read the post yet!) Saltspring and Southport are both great suggestions – I’m wearing a Saltspring today and I do love it!
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And I just saw some black stretch crepe at the fabric store yesterday and was wondering if to snag a yard. Now I know the perfect pattern to pair it with. Thanks Gillian! It does look really fancy without even trying, doesn’t it?
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Go buy it! We’ll be TWINS!
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For your next dress, might I suggest the sway from papercut? In a rayon challis, of course!! This is my fave for comfortable but classy dress pattern. Since its a tie waist, it always accommodates fluctuation in size and the skirt is so fun a swingy. Plus, if you don’t “belt” it, the trapeze shape is pretty fun too. I really like the two I have made!
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You’ve tried both Sway and the Santa Fe, right? How different it the shape? Could I lengthen Santa Fe to get a similar look? (I’m lazy and cheap…)
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I think you could, depending on what you are going for. If you want to use a knit, i say go for it with the santa fe! if you want to use a woven, its probably worth it to buy the sway. It has a nice all in one facing which definitely makes it feel fancier. I wore one last night and I had forgotten how much I liked it. it really is a simple design, it is just aline from the armpits. if you have a woven pattern that you like the fit of above the bust, I think you could probably draft it yourself. It has a center front and back seam which I think are also a nice detail.
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I was going to suggest Papercuts too! I love their patterns but I love Jalie (their patterns are quite adaptable) as well…the pattern will be impossible to help you pick 🙂 but I would recommend sewing on the bias if you’re going woven. It’s fun…doesn’t fray so much and gives you as much ease as a woven can. Good luck Gillian…love our classy knit black top – lovely necklace too 🙂
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I’ve haven’t sewn anything bias for a decade! I’ll keep that in mind. It always seems tricky to me, but surely I can manage it, right?
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I loved this post. You’re so funny! And I want that necklace!!
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The necklace is second hand – my favourite source for accessories! 😉
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A black tank is a must have…it makes an instant chic outfit. cute necklace!
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I think my wardrobe is missing every single classic basic item – time to chip away at that! 😉
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So chic and sassy! The tank really dresses up those jeggins! Or maybe it is the too fab necklace? Oh I know, it’s the sassy chick wearing them! 😀
Yay! Woven! Rayon challis, definitely. Sewaholic has some awesome dresses. How about a Yaletown or a Nicola? Those have lovely shapes that lend themselves to being easy to wear.
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Aww, you are too sweet! 🙂 Rayon challi sis a great suggestion – I HATE sewing with it, but I love wearing it!
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FabricMart Fabrics has their challis on sale today, 65% off! Some fun, crazy prints. I thought of you when I was browsing. 😀
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Make a simple, comfortable dress with good lines then make a classy, jazzed up shrug or light jacket to take it up a notch. Keep the dress color solid, then anything (almost) will work with it.
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That’s a great suggestion! I tend to go for the opposite (patterns dress, solid cardigan) but vice versa would be great for the sort of slightly fancy occasion I’m picturing!
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This is so smart! Great reminder that the fabric choice makes all the difference – I love that about sewing, that I can have a bunch of things that are the same pattern but are all totally different.
I second lengthening the Santa Fe into a dress. It’s very similar to the Tessuti Ruby which has a dress option. I made it in silk jersey and it’s dressy but so comfy.
PS I have those same shoes and they are my absolute favorite! The Crocs jellies with the circles from a few years ago, right? I wish I’d bought all the colors that year, the last couple versions have more flowery patterns that I don’t like as much as the mod circles…
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Looking fabulous!
I always haverschiedenen that problem, too, lots of casual dresses but nothing really fancy… My current nicer-than-average dresses are an Appleton, a dress made from Maria Denmark’s Day to Night Drape top, and a Colette Crêpe dress. I think jersey can definitely be elegant/fancy, if it’s a nice drape and weight!
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I don’t know to what degree of fancy you need to go, but I am partial to this dress pattern from BurdaStyle (one of their magazine patterns, now downloadable from the website).
http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/dart-dress-plus-size-072012
I don’t know if you’re strictly an indie pattern user, but I can’t help suggesting this because it’s my favorite for looking a little dressed up. It can work with a range of fabrics, looks tailored and interesting, but is simpler to sew than it looks and its easy to fit. Here’s a link to my blog post about it:
https://thisseamsinteresting.wordpress.com/2016/05/08/double-trouble/
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What a lovely top. I think it looks fab and nice and dressy for the summer. What about a shirt dress? They seem to be on trend and look quite smart. The versions of M6696 in the blogosphere are great. Xx
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I love this!! I never made solid dark coloured tops because they always end up covered in pug hair. 🙂 I made the Papercut Sway dress, which is super easy to make, and looks great with a fabric belt which can easily be adjusted after delicious fancy dinner (ask me how I know).
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Well you know I’m all over the Kielo – wrap or deconstructed! And really, all of the best swingy tops work with jeggings. That’s how you know they’re good.
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This is SO chic! I never think to make anything really dressy, especially in dark colors, then when I have an event I need something for, I panic and end up wearing something that’s not super appropriate. Ugh! I should make a chic black dress now that you’ve put the thought in my mind.
I’d love to see you in a deep, dark green dress… that would be amazing on you for dressier occasions!
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This looks great on you! Also you’re right, it really showcases your bold necklace! 🙂
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