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!

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 sewing patterns and clothing from her online shop here.

I had the horrible realization last week that all the skirts in my closet are the wrong length! I’ve apparently just left behind a ten year phase of wearing skirts that hover close to or below the knee. Right now I’m loving the idea of a mini-ish skirt with tights and flats.

I’ve had Jenny Gordy’s Tulip Skirt pattern from Stitch magazine on my list for months so this was the logical place to start building a new skirt wardrobe from. I’m a huge fan of her lovely line, “Wiksten“. I would happily wear anything she designed. Luckily, Jenny just posted her errata from the pattern which helped to sort out some things that confused me when tracing the pattern sheet.

The sewing is simple for this skirt, the most confusing thing were the directions and lack of diagrams to help clarify. I’m still not sure if I did the facing correctly, I ended up just using the regular waistband pieces to create a matching facing. It seemed like there were other pieces I was supposed to trace on the pattern sheet, but they didn’t make sense to me. The one thing I modified was the tie. I wanted something a bit bigger, longer, perhaps evoking some Blair Waldorf.

As I was cutting out the fabric (which is a Daiwabo print) and eating some blackberries Andrew bought me, I realized that they were both the same colour. I’m loving this dark purple-y colour so much right now. I was pretty sure I’d find a good quote mentioning blackberries in ‘Peter Rabbit’ by Beatrix Potter for my typewritten label. I have the entire set of her charming books.

As for the buttons of the skirt, I’ve been holding on to a set of typewriter keys for a very long time with the intention of using them as buttons on a skirt. Let me first say that these came from a typewriter that I found banged up on the streets of New York. I took it home to see if it could be saved, but really it was beyond repair. I would never harm a working typewriter and neither should you! I carefully removed all the buttons and have kept them all these years. Of course, then there was the dilemma of what to spell with my five buttons. Keeping in mind I couldn’t repeat any of the letters. In the end, the perfect word seemed to be, ‘SKIRT’.

I’m in love with the new tunic that I made earlier this week. (Yes, somehow there is time to make a new tunic but not time to start holiday gifts. I am able to rationalize this by saying it is good for my mental state to make myself a pretty top.)

I’ve been dying for a top or dress with a nice yoke and gathering, a la Wiksten for ages. I noticed a very simple one in my new book, ‘Favourite Tunic, Dress, Vest Book’. The fabric is a men’s shirting fabric from DFO. I absolutely adore this grey, stripey fabric, it has such a soft, vintage-y feel. I had bought it a few years ago for some ties and just realized that I should pick some more up before it was gone for good. I got the last 2 yards on the bolt.

The fit and cut of the tunic is really lovely and also roomy. It has a zipper in the back, but I don’t even need to use it to get the top on and off easily. Next time I make it, I’ll just omit the zipper and cut down on my production time! The sleeves were so beautiful that I decided to leave them full, rather than put in elastics. I used my 1/4″ Clover bias tape maker to trim the neckline and sleeves. The really skinny bias tape looks really great. (I take it back, Ayalah. It’s not that hard to work with and it looks amazing.)

To add a little extra sweetness, I trimmed the bottom edge of the tunic with lace. Anabela, I hope you approve!