We are right in the middle of a heat wave throughout Europe, so let’s zoom on the Virginia Tank (5oo4 Patterns) and other lightweight garments! The test was right on time for that canicular week. So Miss G and I both tested the pattern, available in children and women’s sizes.
The Virginia tank…and dress…and skirt
The Virginia Tank pattern offers a wide arra of options: from an integrated bra to a skirt and a dress, both of them with length options. Various necklines are also included. I do love the idea of an integrated bra when it is too hot outside. I would advise to use some Supplex or some Airtex for the bra part (like my favorite one from Tia Knight).
For the sake of testing, I sewed two tanks, one in size 12Y for the miss and a size M for me.
Neckline and armholes are finished with thin knit bands so keep that in mind when choosing your fabric: you will need fabrics with stretch AND recovery. I love that bra straps are unnoticeable.
Miss G’s tank is made from a Lurex knit from the now-closed e-shop Lolie-shop; mine comes from Driessenstoffen.
A 5 out of 4 Patterns summer outfit
My plan was to pair her Virginia Tank with some Shenanigans Skort (I had already tested this pattern). But for the life of me, I couldn’t get my hand on the pattern, neither in the house nor on my computer…Fortunately for me (and for her), Miss G is now tall enough to fit into a size XXS Adventure Skorts, my all-time favorite pattern for summer. Remember our trip to Disneyworld? I lived in my various Adventure Skorts.
A skort is the perfect item in a tween girl’s wardrobe. She can wear in the garden as well as to the beach. She could even wear it when in school since it’s knee-length.
For the shorts part, I used my beloved Airtex. Soft, quick-dry, stretchy, and a breeze to sew (OK, the shorts part is a bit wide on her upper thighs). I professed a newfound love for my coverlock since I joined the FB group for Elna/Pffaf/Janome coverstitch machines. So many useful tips available there that saved my sanity and my machine!!!
Rest assured that a whole bunch of Adventure skorts will be sewn for our next adventure in Florida (August ’19). I have already ordered performance knit swatches to get started on them. And I *might* order some new mesh Skechers for the whole family (we are [amazon_textlink asin=’B00KYCJ2YE|B01AH0A0KM|B00KYCJSHK’ text=’Skechers ‘ template=’ProductLink’ store=’laca0c6-21|lacasacactu0e-21|lacasacactus-21′ marketplace=’FR|DE|UK’ link_id=’80aff329-97cb-11e8-8533-695aa8cce059′]addicts for our travels).
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