Hey there, Mermaids! The amazing Tara and Mama Tara patterns have just been released! As always, we have got you covered on Tara hacks, with 3 quick and easy hacks that work for both Tara and Mama Tara! They are an off the shoulder hack, a plain bodice (no drape) hack, and split sleeve for 3/4 and long sleeve lengths! Be sure to grab Tara and Mama Tara while they are still on sale through Sunday 7/30 at midnight CST for only $7 each! Or you can grab the bundle (this is only available during the release sale!) for only $10!

Off the Shoulder Hack

This hack is super easy, and it’s one less piece to cut! This hack leaves off the neckband completely. All you have to do is measure 1/4″ away from the edge of the shoulder and make a mark on your pattern piece. Do this for each shoulder on both the front and front and back pieces.

Since you don’t want to lower the neckline at all, you will draw a smooth curve from the center of the neckline out to the mark you made at the shoulder seam. Use the existing curve as a guide to help you. See the image below:

Once you have your pieces cut, you will construct your top as instructed in the tutorial and just leave off the neckband! Easiest hack ever! *Some testers found that simply leaving off the neckband was enough to allow the top to slip off of the shoulder. Adjust as you need to for your body shape and fabric type! A fabric with a lot of drape is more likely to fall off of the shoulder.*

This hack was a favorite among the testers!

 

Plain Bodice (No Drape) Hack

Want to mix it up with a top without the twist? This is super simple! All you have to do is lay your back piece on top of your front piece along the twist (angled) side. You will make sure they are aligned at the armscye and along the first portion of the side seam. Then, you will trace the side seam of the back piece onto the front piece all the way to the hem line, and along the bottom of the hem line.

At this point you can either flip the back piece over along the center to continue tracing the bottom hem across the other side, or use a ruler to finish tracing the bottom hem.

Doesn’t Catherine look gorgeous?!

3/4 or Long Sleeve Twist Sleeve

This pattern is already packed with 5 different sleeve options, but we’re giving you two more with this hack! Love the twist sleeve? You can achieve the same look on both the 3/4 and long sleeve lengths, too!

To start, you will cut out both your twist sleeve and your desired sleeve length (either 3/4 or long sleeve). Lay the traditional set-in sleeve on top of the twist sleeve, lining up at the armscye point and along the angled side of the sleeve.

To trace the new sleeve (outlined in red below), trace along the curve of the twist sleeve, and follow the angle of the twist sleeve along the length of the set-in sleeve. You will also follow the straight side of the twist sleeve all the way down to the same length as the set-in sleeve. Use the bottom hem of the original twist sleeve as a guide to create a perfectly straight line for the bottom hem of the new sleeve (Use a larger quilter’s ruler or the grids on your cutting mat to help you).

Don’t forget to grab your Tara and Mama Tara patterns, or the limited-time bundle, while they are still on sale! Please come share your creations with us in the Made for Mermaids Facebook Group, we can’t wait to see what you’ve created!