Since it’s summer here and I have been itching to sew Lillian a shirt, I decided to try the Rio Racer Back Tank by Peek-A-Boo Pattern shop. I have to say I absolutely love it and so does Lillian!
The fabric is from Euro Girls Boutique and the quality is excellent. Super easy to sew with and I love the colors. I’ve actually had the fabric for a little while and couldn’t decide what to use it for. The Rio Racer Back was the perfect shirt and I still have plenty of fabric left to make something else. I think it would also make an adorable skirt. I have some persuading to do because Lillian insists that she doesn’t like skirts. Sad day for this momma!
I used stripe fabric in the same colors for the binding but probably could have also used the polka dot fabric and it would have looked very similar. This pattern has you sew the binding on in a very similar way as you would for a blanket. I find this way easier, but it does create a thinner binding than the way used for the grand slam tee. It’s a little less sporty this way as well.
The pattern was well written and very easy to understand and it was a super quick sew. The most difficult part of the construction of the shirt was the binding for the arm holes because they aren’t perfect circles since it’s a racer back.
I ended up making a size 4 based on Lillian’s measurements and it fits perfectly. She’s beginning to be in between sizes in ready to wear clothes. 4T still fits but are getting short and 5 is a little big.
Lillian once again didn’t want much to do with the shirt at first. Then she surprised me one day when she was getting dressed and came out with it on. She bragged to a friend that her mom made it for her. A few days later she insisted on wearing it again. So I would say this shirt was a win!
I do have to say the more I sew with knits, the easier it gets. I’m getting more used to my serger and cover stitch machine as well.
Disclaimer: I am an affiliate of Peek-A-Boo Pattern shop so I get compensated for any orders placed through the links in this post.
