Sophie Hines axis tank review

I had read a few reviews of this pattern and was interested but not sure whether I would ever wear something like this.  I have lots of sports bras and I don't really like uncovering my midsection.

But I had this really small piece of pretty fabric from Blended Threads and one day decided I needed it to be this top...bra...thing.  I have no idea how I'll wear this.  I figured I needed to just have it, and then figure it out. 

I made Size 4-6/S. 

This fabric is beautiful but I got a precut and I was trying to be stingy about shipping so I did stupid things like buy half meters of fabric.  Eyes rolling.  It's cotton spandex and has a good recovery.   I read the instructions and actually did what they said, and thus discovered this magical thing - the 3 step zig zag!!  I discovered it last in about 2014 and was totally excited by it for a year or so, and then I think I haven't done the ol three step since.  So it featured heavily here.

 

Then I figured I was on a binge and I should experiment.  It does not take much fabric - I still have half the width of that half meter cut!  So I went over to the dark side with some rib.  I had traced the XXS but didn't use it and yep, should have used it, this one is pretty loose.  Luckily I have a neighbor who does yoga and it fit her perfectly (before I got photos!). 

Finally I moved on to merino for the high neck version. To my surprise I LOVE this.  I might need to make another one like this before I put away the pattern, and maybe in something really compressive and secure.  Cause ugh, definitely not in merino.  The rolling little shits of bands made me nearly have a breakdown.  I also recommend double layering this in merino because it's quite loose, the bottom band is actually not snug at all.  The pictures make it look like my boobs are gonna fall out the sides but they feel secure enough. 

Now...I think what I need is some overall/dungaree things to wear over these tops.

Papercut pneuma bra in upcycled feather print

I was keen to try out some swimsuit sewing.
My starting point was the pneuma bra, and the soma bottom and bra top.

Unfortunately, although I did finish them all before I left, I only photographed the pneuma so I'll talk about that.

I cut XXS which usually is the size in Papercut that fits me the best.
The fabric I used was a slightly stretchy, massive and shapeless top from the op-shop.  It was mostly nylon and didn't have too many holes, which were easy to work around.  I lined it with substantial, black swimsuit lining from Tessuti.  This stuff is serious - it's strong and compressive and everything fit tightly when I used it - I would consider that in future sizing.

Sewing this was pretty easy.  I really don't like how much the neck part of the top folds outwards though - did I pull too much tension, or not enough? I was also not convinced that four little tiny pieces of foldover elastic would be enough for the straps.  It requires some contortion to choose where you put those straps too - this is a great place to have a friend who can help and mark your back for you!

The fit: is tight and actually a bit too compressive.  I would wear this swimming more likely than running because in the water it would loosen up a bit.  For a future version I'll add 1 inch to the center front.  That would both give me more room, and would widen the neck a little bit.  As it is, the straps are a bit too close together too so that should be a perfect fix.

I'm not sure if in a more giving fabric, like ordinary knits, it would be loose enough on its own, but I do appreciate how compressive the swim lining is!

As for the straps, I would switch them out for 1" heavy duty elastic in the future.  That would be fine, at least, for a jogging or yoga bra top.  For a swimming top I'm not sure elastic does well in the water so I'm still not sure what I'd use instead.  The idea of trying to make straps out of slinky, misbehaving swimsuit nylon doesn't appeal but I suppose it is an option.  I don't think I would use FOE again.