wiksten tank top
After making the dress from this pattern a couple of weeks ago, I really wanted to try out the top version as well.
The fabric I decided upon and waited patiently to ship to me is from the Victoria and Albert Collection The Grand Tour and it was a real pleasure to work with. The grey fabric I made the dress out of was slippery and shifty but this quilting weight print was wonderful to sew with.
And finally it looks just as good on the inside as on the outside! I have to mention again how very well made Jenny’s (from Wiksten) patterns are, this top has all french seams and beautifully neat binding finishes at the collar and arms. Very important details for us serger-less crowd!
I love how the top looks simple but classy but is so versatile at the same time! It can be worn with virtually anything both in summer and with a shirt underneath in winter, tucked inside pants or left loose. I think the simple graphic print works nicely with my favourite canary yellow cardigan or boldly coloured scarves and other prints. We’ve been having an uncharacteristically hot spring so this was finished just in time!
i do so adore that v&a fabric! your top is lovely and i love that you sew on the old machine!! love, love, love all around!! :-)
Thanks Julie! You know what? I first saw that fabric collection on your blog and loved it, so I went ahead and looked it up. The machine is a family heirloom, I use it as my main machine and love it :)
That turned out great! The fabric is wonderfully quirky.
Thanks Juanita :) Isn’t it lovely, I really like those reduced, graphic prints!
Love the fabric and the blouse! What a cute addition to your summer wardrobe.
How fabulous. I love your fabric choice. It is soo perfect for this top.
this looks great! i love the fabrics you use!
I have mentioned you on my blog today. Come check it out! :)
Richtig cooles Muster auf dem Stoff – musst du mir mal bei Gelegenheit “live” zeigen
Thank you all so much for your comments! The top will sure get lots of wear this summer and I can only encourage everyone to try this pattern, it’s a great learning piece and yet quick and very wearable :)
What lovely fabric. You’ve done a really nice job finishing the seams inside. I occasionally remember to dig out the overlockers, but otherwise I tend to just let things fray, and it lets them down.
I love dressmaking with quilting fabric, it sews so nicely. I’m making my daughter a coat at the minute. (You can see it on my blog: http://dressmakerelves.blogspot.com)
Keep up the good work!
Thanks Andrea! The pattern actually teaches you the finishing with bias binding, it was just a lot easier with this fabric than with a shifty fabric. I only have a straight stitch machine so knowing those techniques (as well as making french seams) is really important to me.
How much fabric did you need to buy for that one tank? I love it so much!!
Thanks Michelle! I had 2 yards of the fabric and if you cut it cleverly it is enough even to make the bias binding from, though Jenny listed the fabric requirements on the pattern a little higher if I recall correctly.
quick and neat project looks wonderful
Thank you :)
I saw this via CraftGawker. This is amazing. You’ve inspired me to want to try and make a top for myself! :)
Oh, do, there’s lots of cute top patterns around! Not sure if Jenny still sells her tank pattern but Colette patterns has a free top pattern (the sorbetto top) around as well!
Let me know how it goes :)
Love all the sewing you have done for yourself- I found you blog while looking for images of the Wiksten patterns and it’s so nice to see you wearing the clothes- it helps to give a better idea of how the patterns fit. So often it’s easier just to take a photo of some clothes on a hanger so I wanted to say how I’ve appreciated seeing you in the clothes- even though you sometimes write you aren’t as happy with the photo as you might be! So thanks!
Thank you! I love seeing clothes from patterns on people as well, like you say, it gives a much better idea of the fit.
That’s why I do post these photos, even though I don’t enjoy seeing myself in photos :)
Hello! Love your tank! Just wondering how you got creative to make it from two yards? Did you have to piece together bias strips? Thanks so much!