Another Wiksten Tank

After I made this Wiksten tank for Made by Rae's spring sewalong, I thought I'd make a ton of them. But summer went by so fast and by the end of August, I only had 1 still! So, here's my second attempt at the Wiksten.

This time I used a much lighter fabric (stole the idea of using Ikea fabric from another spring sewalong participant). Rae had a great idea of modifying the pattern to minimize any gaps along the back (click here to see what she did) and it worked really great for me! I ended up going up a size to size small and then using her recommendations. This made the armhole area a bit roomier.

I wasn't paying attention to the directions so I ended up putting the armhole/neck facings backwards.  Oops... good thing it still looks ok this way.

The second time around, it was so much easier.  I only needed 1M of fabric to make this shirt so for $3.99, I'd say that wasn't too bad!

Here's a pic of me wearing this at the Art Gallery.

Happy Sewing!

Spring Top Week

Update April 25, 2012:  My top was chosen as one of the round 4 tops!!!!  If you have a moment to vote, please do so here!

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Every year I follow Made by Rae's Spring Top Week to get some inspiration for some spring/summer sewing.  This year, I decided to actually make something for me. The last time I sewed clothes for myself was in 2009.  I was on my first maternity leave and I made a ruffle top using this tutorial.  I have no idea what happened to that top but I do remember how much fun it was to make.

With not a lot of time to design my own pattern, I purchased a PDF download from Wiksten.   It was really easy to print out the PDF and tape it all together.  I just needed to keep the kids away from it long it enough to cut it out to my size.  (Note:  Follow the size recommendation.  I resisted the urge to cut a Medium and went with XS.  I am not an XS but this top fits!)

For my first try, I used an old men's shirt for the fabric.  I didn't want to use up any "good" fabric if the pattern didn't work out.  There was a wee stain on the shirt so I used the back of the shirt for the front and the front for the back.  I strayed from the instructions and used a grey bias tape to bind it all up.  The original shirt was so boring and this added a little pop of colour.  I also changed the pocket and pocket placement.   Not bad but this shirt wouldn't stay unwrinkled, even after steam ironing it.  The fit was good... it's nice to make a flowy top that doesn't make you look pregnant.

For my second try, I went to my stash and chose the Ginger Blossom line by Sandi Henderson from Michael Miller.

Although the pattern calls for more fabric, I was able to get away with using 1M of fabric and making my own bias strips.

I decided not to do a pocket since I would never use one.    This is what it looks like finished.  Maybe it's a little loud, but underneath a cardigan, it's just the right splash of colour for spring.

Happy Sewing,