Rib Knit Fabric For Tops

Rib knit is often put in the box of 'for neckbands and cuffs', however, it can be used for so much more! The other week at Melco all the staff got sewing and we made some awesome rib knit tops.

Now I am the kind of girl who doesn't particularly reach for tight fitting garments, or have my arms showing... but I am absolutely in love with this top and now it is on regular rotation in my daily outfits. My daughter Vada loved it so much that I made her one this weekend too (pictured below).  

For this make we used standard Melco rib knit and the Bottlebrush tank pattern, which is by Common Stitch. 

If you haven't come across Common Stitch before, it is an Indie pattern company located in Brisbane QLD and we are totally digging their style. The Bottlebrush tank is the perfect staple for your me-made wardrobe this spring and summer. 

It was a really quick, easy and enjoyable sew and didn't use a lot of fabric (50cm). I normally run a ladies size 10 or 12 in ready to wear clothing, but sized up for this top and made a size 14. Personally, I don't link things super tight fitting, and I found by sizing up it made it a bit more comfortable to wear. Although, if I had  super toned abs I probably wouldn't have sized up. But hey, I do love chocolate and ice cream, so you know, priorities there. 

That aside, we all loved using standard rib knit for this pattern. It has the perfect amount of stretch and recovery, with a super soft hand feel to the fabric. 

I chose Daffodil rib knit and Amethyst rib knit for my Bottlebrush tank. After I made my first tank, I made a few adjustments on the next. Namely at the bust I extended the front piece out a little towards the arm holes. The Bottlebrush tank is a narrow fit, so when wearing my normal everyday bra, the bra would be showing at the sides. It was only a slight adjustment but made the pattern more suited to the style bras I like to wear regularly. 

At Melco we stock standard rib knit in 25 colours and it comes in a wide width of aprox. 140cm. We found we only needed 50cm to make the top, so it was a very economical sew to say the least. 

I would love to know, have you made a rib knit top before? If you haven't given it a go, I highly suggest you do!

For a limited time only, Common Stitch is giving Melco customers 15% off the Bottlebrush tank Pattern! I know, I was so over the moon they offered us such a generous discount.

Just head over to Common Stitch, pop the Bottlebrush tank in your cart and enter MELCO15 at checkout to save. Discount code expires 14th September 2022 11:59pm AEST.  Trust me on this one, you won't regret adding the Bottlebrush tank to your me made collection. 

Bottlebrush Tank DIGITAL Pattern – Common Stitch.