*If you purchase this after 12:00 PM EST on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, I will ship it to you on Monday, September 16, 2024.*
For the past five years, I've been exploring the addition of embroidery to knitted and crocheted canvases, curious to see how a multitude of techniques can be added to fabric that I have made by hand. In particular, I've been drawn to methods that use the underlying material to guide each embroidered stitch. Case in point, this tank top features Sashiko, a Japanese technique that uses running stitches to create intricate patterns.
Sashiko was initially used to repair worn clothing by stitching together layers of fabric to prolong the life of the garment. Sashiko means ‘little stab’ or ‘little pierce', as tiny stitches were historically used to rehabilitate clothing. Over time, repairs evolved into beautiful patterns, presumably to add complexity and beauty to the task at hand.
As I have studied different Sashiko motifs through the years, the floral pattern shown on this tank top has always been one of my favorites. I find it delightful that carefully placed running stitches can yield such a beautiful pattern and I was quite keen to try it on a knitted canvas.
In fact, there are endless stitching techniques I'm longing to adapt for knitting and crocheting! And sadly, there are only 24 hours in a day to prepare wearable pieces suitable for embroidery. Which is why I was thrilled to find this tank top in a shop, calling to me to be a muse for embellishment!
So yes. This tank top was purchased. From a store. Several years ago. And it has been waiting patiently for me to find the perfect embroidery pattern to upcycle it into a one-of-a-kind piece! It finally has had its moment in the sun and I'm so pleased with the result! I love how the horizontal stitches work with the slight hourglass shape of the tank top and how the Sashiko flowers echo the natural curve of the spine. I opted to include photos of the evolution of the embroidery here, so you can see the care that is taken to achieve this effect.
To keep the tank top easy to wear, I only added the embroidery to the back of the piece. Additional stitches inevitably change the drape of underlying fabric, so to preserve the accommodating flexibility of the front, I opted to limit embroidery just to the back. This way, you can light up a room as you usually do upon entry and keep all eyes on you even as you make your exit!
Dimensions:
Chest circumference: 36" (91 cm)
Hip circumference: 38" (96 cm)
Length from shoulder to hip: 23" (59 cm)
Length from underarm to hip: 15" (38 cm)
Comments on Fit: Given these dimensions and the embroidery on the back, I would recommend this tank top for sizes that allow for neutral or positive ease. Which is to say, the tank top will look wonderful on a bust that is 36" or smaller.
Materials: The underlying tank top is a very soft cotton and the embroidery was completed using 100% merino wool. Given the combination of materials, I highly recommend dry cleaning the tank top when needed.
Colors: I do my best to ensure that my photos capture the correct colors of my pieces. However, there is no accounting for how your monitor/device will display this tank top. So let me describe it here: the green is darker than fatigues, but lighter than evergreen. Within this range, it is one of my favorite hues - a moody moss that can be paired with or act as a neutral. The yarn was dyed in South Africa and is a soft mauve. The dyer calls it "Rose Gold", which is the perfect appellation!
Care:
Dry clean only.
Return Policy:
Your satisfaction with your order is my paramount concern. However, given the nature of my handmade business, I must adhere to this return policy: If you are unsatisfied with your order, please contact me within 7 days. If more than 7 days have gone by since your purchase, I will not offer you a refund or exchange.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging. Once I have received the piece, I will reimburse you after inspection to ensure it is in its original condition.
Return Shipping:
To return your product, mail your product to: Bloom Handmade Studio, LLC, 11 River Street, Apt 307, Sleepy Hollow, NY, 10591.
You will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs to return your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. Please use a trackable shipping service and purchase insurance commensurate with the price of the piece.
© COPYRIGHT NOTE: All of my designs, photos and descriptions are under copyright. They may not be copied, duplicated, reproduced or republished.