Tag Archive for 'tank top'

WIKSTEN TANK IN BIRCH

Published on July 28, 2012 in clothing, stitchery and the workroom. 3 Comments Tags: birch, habitat, jay mccarroll, tank top, Wiksten.

Wiksten Tank sewing pattern by Jenny Gordy
Fabric : Peach Birch from Jay McCarroll’s Habitat collection

I had been saving this one metre of Birch for ages. Actually, I was kicking myself for only getting the one metre. There really aren’t a lot of clothing options for such a small amount of fabric. I got it into my head that I could squeak a Wiksten Tank out of it with a little creativity a few weeks ago. With some clever fabric folding I was able to get all my pieces cut out, including a pattern matched pocket piece and I just had to piece together two strips to make the bias binding for the neck. Whoo! I cut out the extra small and I doubt this would work with any of the other sizes. It’s always worth a try though! There’s nothing more satisfying than making the fabric you have in your stash work with the pattern you choose for it after.

The Wiksten Tank list continues to grow!
- Kerry’s Flock
- Paris Map Fabric
- Martha Negley

We sell the Wiksten Tank & Tova patterns at the workroom!

WIKSTEN TANK IN KERRY’S FLOCK

Published on May 27, 2012 in clothing, spotted, stitchery and the workroom. 7 Comments Tags: Kerry's Flock, Liberty of London, Madison, tank top, The Grid, Wiksten.

Tank Top Sewing Pattern by Wiksten
Liberty of London : Kerry’s Flock print Tana Lawn Cotton
Photographed at the Extended Stay Deluxe in Madison, WI

Hello from Madison, Wisconsin!

I haven’t been here for ages, so we have lots to catch up on. I’m going to focus on the little things first and work up to the bigger things, if that’s okay. It feels easier to talk about this new tank top rather than the life changing things that have happened in 2012. We’ll get to that stuff.

It’s true though – Andrew, Maisy & I are living out in Madison, Wisonsin for a month. I prefer to tell that story with photos right now, so you can visit my personal flickr site which is updated everyday. In particular, the Madison photo set starts right at the beginning.

I have quite a few sewing projects that I’ve completed in the last little while. I brought a bunch of them along on this trip to photograph in Madison and share with you. Plus, I have my sewing machine with me! Having my Bernina with me is the best and I’m working on several new projects.

Being on the road, my Wiksten tank tops have been in constant rotation. With jeans or shorts, they are the perfect thing to wear in any situation. This Liberty version using the Kerry’s Flock print is the newest addition to the collection. The lightweight tana lawn cotton is heaven to sew with and wear.

By now, it seems like everyone has tried this pattern. If not, you should! We have both of Jenny Gordy’s Wiksten patterns available at the workroom now (both online and in our shop on Queen Street). We can hardly keep them in stock, they sell so quickly. The patterns were just mentioned in this week’s THE GRID article on the workroom and some of our most favourite items.

My growing collection of Wiksten tanks includes this Paris Map version and this Martha Negley version. Many, many more to come.

WIKSTEN TANK IN PARIS MAP FABRIC

Published on January 7, 2012 in clothing and stitchery. 23 Comments Tags: 3 Sisters, Etchings, Moda, tank top, Wiksten.

Pattern : Wiksten Tank Top by Jenny Gordy
Fabric : Paris Map from the ‘Etchings‘ collection by 3 Sisters

Let’s talk about the fabric first. This Paris Map fabric is incredible. It’s the kind of fabric that I could use over and over again and never get tired of it. It’s the kind of fabric that only lasted in the shop for about 24 hours before all 3 bolts of it were gone. It’s the kind of fabric that you want to hoard forever and never not have it in your life.

I really wanted to enjoy this fabric on a regular basis, not just visit with it in my stash. I knew that this tank pattern would be a satisfying way to cut into this print. You just can’t go wrong with the Wiksten Tank. It is so versatile and easy to wear. (I have fabric picked out for my first Wiksten Tova that I hope to be able to sew up soon)

Again, I have to say that I super proud of my pattern matching on the pocket. (See my first Wiksten Tank here) You can barely see that there is a pocket!

I still have at least a metre left of these Paris Maps (plus every little bit of scrap from cutting out the tank) and the rest will likely go into some future quilts and definitely into my Blue & White Farmer’s Wife Sampler.

MISC.

Our dear Kristiann, has recently launched her own line of pdf sewing patterns. Her company is called, ‘Victory Patterns‘ and I know you’re going to fall in love with her designs. I have my eye on the Hazel dress with those sweet front ties.
I’m adding this DIY Fur Pom Pom project to my list of things to do
Have you seen the online magazine, Covet Garden? It is SO good. Each issue features a different house in Toronto and this issue features Arounna & John’s home from ‘Bookhou‘!
The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery is starting a Dessert of the Month club. Each month you get a new adorable dessert cross stitch pdf pattern emailed to you. the workroom will be working with the Pumpkins to create Cosmo floss sets every two months that will contain all the colours you will need to work on your desserts. We sold out really quickly on the January/February sets yesterday, but more floss is on the way. Let me know if you’d like to buy a set when they are back in stock!

WIKSTEN TANK IN MARTHA NEGLEY

Published on November 12, 2011 in clothing, stitchery, textiles and the workroom. 13 Comments Tags: Martha Negley, tank top, Wiksten.

I’ve admired everything Wiksten for so long and finally I ordered her two sewing patterns a couple months ago. So far, I’ve just made the tank top (twice!), but I’ll be making the Tova as soon as possible. I’ve had a crush on that shirt for ages.

The tank pattern is awesome. Jenny’s patterns are hand drawn and incredibly well designed. You don’t even need a serger for this project, since it is sewn with french seams and bias finished hems. Genius.

I am MOST proud of the pocket on the tank. I PERFECTLY matched the pattern on the fabric so that you can barely even see that the pocket is there. Small details like that make me so happy.

With winter approaching, I’ll be wearing it layered with cozy cardigans.

It doesn’t at all seem unreasonable to me that I might need a rainbow of colours in this tank. It’s clearly a wardrobe essential.

You can order Jenny’s Wiksten sewing patterns from the workroom’s online shop!

COLOURFUL FABRIC DRESS BOOK : POCHO TANK TOP

Published on September 1, 2010 in japanese dress/craft, stitchery and textiles. 13 Comments Tags: Colourful Fabric Dress Book, double gauze cotton, nani IRO, tank top.

Colourful Fabric Dress Book (available at the workroom)
Tank Top : nani IRO ‘Pocho’

After I finished making Dress ‘W’ with the Pocho nani IRO, I looked at my leftover fabric and thought I could squeeze out a simple tank top. I remembered that there was a tank dress in the Colourful Fabric Dress Book. I just traced out the two top pieces for the dress.

I don’t know why I don’t make more tank tops! It is the perfect thing to do with leftover fabric. I think you’re going to see a lot more of them from me. I wanted to try a couple finishing details with this. I made facing pieces for the armholes, rather than do bias binding. Sometimes I just prefer a more elegant invisible finish. I also tried doing a silk bias binding on the neckline, with the raw edges facing out. I have a box full of beautiful shades of vintage silk charmeuse. A bit fancy for everyday, but so incredibly beautiful. I’ve been wanting to use them, so this is a good start. It’s a simple way to add a little bling to a basic piece.

I also made a matching silk tank top to wear underneath. I wanted this to also have raw edges, so I sewed the seams on the outside to emphasize this. I need to perfect this pattern a bit more before I show it to you, but it’s a good start for a layering piece.

The day I took these photos it was WAY too hot to be wearing jeans. Even today, the first day of September is going to be a scorcher. I’m a bit confused about what I should make next – a sleeveless summery dress or something more autumn appropriate.