New Look 6977: Raglan sleeve top turned tank top

So I have New Look 6977, and got the raglan sleeve top to fit well.  After making some adjustments, it's become a TNT pattern in my stash and I've made a couple tops using this pattern.

So I really like this pattern and I saw a review of a very similar tank top version on patternreview.com:

New Look #6569 

It has the same look, with the gathered front at the bust and a V-neckline.  I wanted one... was going to purchase the pattern, but thought... well, hey... I have a similar pattern... let's see if we can make it into what I want.   Here's what I turned out with.

And I love it.  It's not as fitted as the pattern above, but then if it were, it might not look so presentable over the squishy parts of my body... Anyway, MINE fits me well, looks flattering and is pretty much the same as the pattern I was thinking of purchasing. So here's what I did to turn it into a tank top:

The picture below shows the original sleeve piece and the finished tank top piece.  I drew in the original lines for the front bodice so you can see where they overlap.  Here's what I did.

First, I retraced the front body piece with all the markings.
Then I laid it over the raglan sleeve piece, matching the upper portion of the raglan sleeve seam and matching approximately where the armhole notches were, and traced the shoulder and neckline section. Then I just guesstimated the curve of the armhole.In this picture, I traced the front bodice piece on the finished tank top pattern.  You can see where the original sleeve pattern piece overlaps the portion I added on for the tank strap.  The seam at the top portion of the raglan sleeve and the shoulder seams match.
Here's the finished pattern front piece:

I did the same thing with the back pieces. Again, the picture below shows the finished tank top piece and the sleeve piece together, with the back bodice piece drawn in along the shoulder blade.  The finished piece by itself is shown on the right.

That's pretty much it.  The pattern is ready.
I kept the neckline binding the same and just finished the armhole by folding it over and sewing.  Simple.  Quick.  And I have a TNT tank top pattern that cost me nothing more than a few minutes of my time.

New Look 6813

I like this pattern. With a few adjustments it ended up looking as good as the picture. The muslin was made in size 12/14/14, according to my measurements and it didn't really look like it fit well. So I downsized to a 10/12/12. Now it looks like the picture on the pattern.

I did have to make a few adjustments to the pattern in order to eliminate the gaping neckline. I pinched out little bits along the inner neckline, and flattened it to the edges. Kinda like making tiny darts. Since it's made in stretch fabric, it was easy enough to ease in the front and back pieces to the neck band. Here you can see the little pinches I made in the pattern:
And I added about an inch to the sleeve length. That's a simple adjustment...


The technique used for applying the neckline would've created a lot of bulk, so instead of turning the inside edges under and sewing through all those thicknesses, I left it flat and trimmed it down to 1/4" after top stitching the neckline. You could also just apply the neckline with your serger and eliminate a bunch of extra steps, but my serger is set up with light colored thread and I was too lazy to dig up darks.

Here's a detail of the topstitching. I like the blue on brown color combo...

And here's the finished top in brown.  Sorry about picture quality...

 And the second one made in Red, using some poly jersey.  I like the way it looks, but it's not going to work for hot weather...

 
Oh well... another TNT pattern to add to my collection.  
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Them's sum sexy fishin' lures...

I made this one for my college age daughter.  I'll try to get a picture with a body in it when she comes home. It's a pattern from an old Burda magazine, July 98 issue.  I can't believe I still have it. The pattern in the magazine has only the metal rings, but I couldn't find nice, sturdy looking rings and decided to check out some fishing tackle instead.  These metal rings and parts are swivels and stuff that I got for a couple dollars in Walmart's fishing supply department. 

Here's a view of the back.

 

And on the inside, I added a built in bra.  It's not really for support, more to provide some coverage so nothing shows through.   

It was an interesting pattern, and I had fun making it.  The sleeves will require reshaping as the shoulder seam seems to be a bit pointy.  I think it's suppose to sit on the curve of the shoulder, but it doesn't look right.  I ended up flattening out the shoulder seam.  Also, I would add a couple more inches to the hem next time...if there is a next time... and there might be because now my younger daughter thinks this is a cool shirt.

There are a couple more unusual looking tops in this issue so I think I'll try making more of them....  Funny... when I first bought this issue, I thought these would be a little to daring.  Strange what age will do to us... I think I might try wearing one of those someday.