If there is one type of clothing that I feel like I can never make enough of it’s tops.  Long sleeves, short sleeves, solid colors, prints, basic style, or fancied up.

Well, today is the day for showing off my newest tops.  Made for Mermaids has released their two newest patterns, Tara and Mama Tara.

Catherine from the M4M team designed this beautiful twist top to help us transition from summer to fall.

Mama Tara has 4 sleeve lengths (sleeveless, short, 3/4, and long sleeves). The top looks gorgeous in both solid and print fabrics alike.

I first used this solid rayon spandex from Pretty Posh Prints for a short sleeve Mama Tara. I really need to start sewing one solid color top for every print top I make. Because, seriously, I need some solids in my life.

This is a semi-fitted top so it gives a little wiggle room through the waist.  I love that because there are some days where I feel like my fitted shirt days are over.

The construction of the top is really simple, and the top comes together in no time at all!  It took me longer to hem the bottom and the sleeves than it did to put together the rest of the top!

The pattern recommends fabrics with good drape.  Otherwise, the shirt would not hang well.

Sorry for the side shot overload, but I really enjoy the way this one drapes!

The backside coverage is good too for a top length shirt.  I did add length for my height per my usual adjustments for M4M patterns.

I almost forgot to add that I paired this with a solid white cotton lycra Cross my Heart Cami from Patterns for Pirates.  The neckline on the Mama Tara is perfect for adding a little flare similar to the boutique tops that are so popular right now.  I had only made the plain front CMHC and the t-strap options during testing which you can see here.

One of the things I love about Made for Mermaids is their blogs at each pattern release that demonstrate a few of the pattern hacks that can be done with the newly released patterns.  I am really good at following patterns, but I am definitely not confident with going rogue and creating alternate looks using a pattern as a base.  Enter the super easy off the shoulder hack for the Mama Tara.

This lightweight french terry from Pretty Posh Prints has beautiful drape to it making it the perfect fabric for this twist top.

The best thing about french terry too is that you do not need to finish the edges.  The hems and the neckline were all left raw for this top.  Talk about the fastest top ever!

I fell in love with this fabric in about 0.2 seconds during a fast finger sale and was lucky enough to snatch up a couple of yards!

This version of the Mama Tara will be a great grab and go look for me this fall.

Once again I really enjoy the length of the top and the looser fit through the waist.

You all know by now that I prefer a little more backside coverage with my tops (and I love tunics!)  So this is perfect. Now all I have to do is wait for cooler weather.  Unfortunately, that will not be happening anytime soon here in Tennessee…

The Mama Tara, Tara (girl’s version), and the limited time bundle with both patterns will be on sale through midnight July 30th.  Head on over and grab yours during the release sale!

Until next time….sewing and sipping,

Stacey

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