Catalina Tank in Textured ITY Knit

I love ITY. But this ITY I love even more. The colors, the distressed pattern, plus a hint of texture… It’s everything I look for in a fabric. I snagged this Rust/Ivory/Taupe Distressed Lines ITY Knit from So Sew English back in October and couldn’t wait to cut into it. I know it either had to be a skirt or dress or a Catalina Tank, and rather than choose one over the other, I got 3 yards of the stuff so I could make more than one thing.

Rust/Ivory/Taupe Distressed Lines ITY Knit

What Is ITY?

Interlock Twist Yarn. (Read more about it here.) It’s one of my favorite types of fabric for airy, flowy tops. It’s also wonderful for dresses and skirts, but I have one personal caveat when using it for bottoms. It will grab at the slightest stubble on your legs. To me, that’s like nails on a chalkboard. So I lean more toward using it for tops.

About The Pattern

I went into this in detail on my first Catalina, so I’ll briefly say here the pattern isn’t the greatest. It’s not written very well and in several places the instructions are flat out wrong. But if you’re experienced sewing garments, you can identify and correct those issues as you go. Still, for a paid pattern, it needs an overhaul.

About This Make

• Same sizing as my previous makes: shelf bra is sized at XS and the tank is graded from XS (bust) to S (waist and down.)
• I made the shelf bra out of leftovers from some cotton lycra leggings. I used the wrong (white) side of the fabric as the face, which gives the inside of the bra the fun turquoise color.
• I used a fabric band for the shelf bra instead of elastic.
• I shortened the straps by about 1″. I’ll have to wait until I wash out the wonder tape to see just how much give they end up having, but with the wonder tape still in, they’re great.
• Did not hem. I’m debating if I want to do that or not, but as of right now I don’t have any strong preference either way.
• When anchoring the straps to the sharp points of the back bodice, I anchored them a little low and then chopped off the sharp points. I have no idea why the pattern is drawn that way. I should just redraw it.
• Wonder tape is key with the straps on this pattern—both in constructing the straps and attaching them to the bodice. I wouldn’t attempt those steps without it.
• I didn’t bother basting the straps in place. I relied on my wondertape to hold the straps as I sandwiched them between the bodice and bra. Worked a charm.
• I topstitched the top seam of the bodice. I don’t recall if the pattern calls for it, but I highly recommend it, especially if you have such a contrasting fabric inside your shelf bra as I have.

Project Settings