Alabama Chanin 6-panel Tank Top in Alabama Chanin fabric

The Alabama Chanin 6-panel Tank Top made from Alabama Chanin organic 100% cotton fabric is done!  And I'm in love!  Total love!!!

This pattern was totally designed for me.  No not really, but it made up into an almost custom fit with no modifications on my part at all.   Figure flattering from all angles and oh-so-comfortable with no gaping neckline to worry about.

I purchased the Alabama Studio Sewing Patterns book from the Alabama Chanin website during one of her great sales, and it is a treasure trove of all her patterns in one place, as well as a compilation of all her techniques as well how to adjust patterns to fit.  There was no problem printing the pattern from the included CD, though as a heads up..... you can't just print the pattern you want.  You have to print all the tiles to go with the sheet of patterns.  For instance, this 6-panel Tank Top is also part of the 6-Panel Camisole Top both from her Alabama Studio Style book.... as well as the corresponding tunic and dresses and skirt.... so all printed because they are nested together.  That's okay as I want to make the skirt one day too.

Photo Credit Alabama Chanin

The princess seams drew me to choosing this top, along with the flare at the waist.

I made a Size M, as per my measurements.  All hand-stitched using Alabama Chanin's white, medium weight, 100% organic cotton fabric.  I paid @$26.00 per yard.  This top takes a mere yard.  And while we are talking about fabric..... this fabric is so soft and has a most luxurious feeling..... different than any other cotton jersey I've felt before.  The inner seams were constructed with double strands of Coats and Clark Button Craft Thread, with the felled seams in single strands.  Love the way the hand-stitched seams make their own design detail.  As you can see from the photo below, this top measures 25" from shoulder seam to hemline.... and that's what mine measured too. 

At first I thought it seemed a little long, but now I like it.  Hem was left raw.

Photo below shows the 1 1/4" binding strips ironed wrong sides together, then pinned to neckline enclosing the raw fabric.  I pulled the binding ever so slightly as I pinned to the neckline, pulling the neckline in a little once it was stitched.  The Cretan Stitch was auditioned for the neckline and armhole stitching.  I've always used the Herringbone Stitch and wanted to try something different this time and really like the Cretan Stitch.

And surprisingly this is my favorite skirt to wear with this top!  I've been saving my recently made Alabama Chanin skirt to showcase both pieces together, and then realized this top needed THIS skirt.  This cute 7-piece skirt with curved waistband traced from the BurdaStyle Sewing Handbook was one of my first makes back in 2013.  Always a little large, coupled with recently losing a few pounds, it swallowed me and was unwearable; so I took it apart..... keeping the zipper intact..... taking larger seam allowances then putting it all back together.  It's one of my favorite items to wear now.  You can see the original skirt's post here. 

And in this hot, miserable, muggy, dry..... and did I say HOT!.... South Carolina summer..... my liriope is about the only thing doing well.

Happy Sewing Everyone!  :)