Beginning to Sew With The "Luna Tank"

Chickie W.U.
by Chickie W.U.
2 Materials
2 Hours
Easy

Hello Readers. I hear from people a lot that they want to start sewing but do not know where to start. I think simple patterns are a great way to start. This one is free online to anyone and can be printed at home. The pattern comes with clear directions and sewing instructions. Let me walk you through using this or any beginner sewing pattern. You can do it!

This is me in my sewing closet looking for fabric to make this shirt and after sewing it all up.

The pattern will recommend what fabric to use in the directions. I have been in loving linen lately because it's so nice in the heat. I went searching in my sewing stash for some linen pieces that I could make into a summer tank top. I washed the linen pieces that I had before sewing in case they shrank. (This is important for all fabric. Wash and dry it before you start to sew.) The linen I have is from my mother-in-law so it was probably designed to be used in home decor. I was hoping this linen wouldn't be too thick or heavy to be the summer shirt I was wanting. But let's try and see if it works. (My life philosophy!)

 I wanted to make the Luna tank from Helen's Closet Patterns. (Not an ad!) You can get it free from the website. (Thanks Helen!) This is a super great project for beginners because it is very simple. And check out that size range!! 0-34!!! That is amazing! Free patterns are a great way to start sewing without spending a ton of money. Google "Free online sewing patterns" and you will have many options to choose from. Read all the directions that come with the pattern. They are all important and will tell you what to do to make that specific item. Don't try to go it blind, read the instructions.

I printed my pattern pieces on my home printer and put the paper pieces together. I set the paper piece on the fold of my fabric and cut around it carefully. Some people trace and mark on the fabric, some people pin the paper to the fabric and cut it that way. I just held the paper down and used a roller cutter. Do whatever works best for you. The fabric is folded in half so I will get a full shirt piece when I unfold it.

I had to move my pieces around to get a front and back from my small piece of fabric but usually you would just fold your fabric in half, put your paper pattern on the fold and cut your fabric pieces out. As long as you get the cloth pieces you need for the project, It doesn't really matter how you do it.

Linen frays very easily and quickly. I decided to use my serger on all the edges right away so they wouldn't fray during the sewing process. If you use a fabric that doesn't fray, you don't need to do this.

My light gray serger thread matched the fabric really well. 

The linen had a nice drape to it. It is a heavier weight linen but I liked it as a shirt. I liked it so much I left the serged edges just like this. I didn't sew in the neck band or arm bands like the pattern directed. (The pattern called for narrow strips of fabric to finish the neck and arm holes. The directions were easy to follow, I just went off course didn't use them.) The edges looked good to me and because they were only one layer of fabric. It keeps the from getting bulky which would make the hemline get thicker and stiffer. It would lose its light flowy quality. This wouldn't be a problem with lighter weight fabric.

Here is a quick video summary.

This tank top turned out great. I liked it made of linen and it will be so nice in the heat of summer. Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself. Simple patterns like this are a great way to start sewing. Everyone learns as they go, you can too.

Chickie

Suggested materials:
  • Fabric   (On-hand)
  • Sewing Pattern   (Free online)

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Comments
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2 of 4 comments
  • Vaini Svetliza Vaini Svetliza on Jul 13, 2022

    Very nice!!! I wonder if I could use a kind of silky voile that I have… let me have your thoughts. Thank you!!!

  • Chickie W.U. Chickie W.U. on Jul 14, 2022

    The silk sounds amazing. It would make a very light flowy top. It would be so pretty.

    chickie

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