Project 7: Wiksten Tova

Again, a Wiksten design.  I cut them both out last week and figured why not sew them up in the same weekend?  Well, maybe my ambition is a bit too much on weekend late-nights, because I was so annoyed with this top Saturday night that it gave me really bad stress dreams.  I woke up Sunday morning traumatized but ready to take on this SOB and show it who's boss.

Wiksten Tova

Pattern Description

Wiksten Tova top, which is a tunic with an inset.  The pattern also contains pieces for a dress.

Pattern Sizing

XS - XL.  This is a large with modified seams.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the envelope when you were done with it?

Yep!

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Okay, so.  The instructions were apparently easy for everyone but me.  Seriously, I Googled the hell out of this pattern, thinking someone, somewhere, could help me, but all I could find was praise for how easy it was.  Not cool, guys.

The inset really screwed me up.  I couldn't tell from the picture what was being pinned and how it should be done, especially with the placket pinned together.  I gave up Saturday night (thankfully, never a stitch was sewn) and got back to it Sunday afternoon.  I finally went with unpinning the placket, pinning one side at a time to the front of the top, and then sewing the bottom of the placket last.  I don't think it made an impact, but good Jesus, it was painful.

Oh, and then I sewed all the side seams wrong (so it was a crazy, diagonal mess when I checked the basted size) so that was a great time.  Oh, and I think the sleeves are in backward.  Can you tell?  Please say no.

Props to Nick for the cellphone picture

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

Again, the publicity--it calls to me.  I'm a sucker for popularity.  I also like that it's a simple top that looks good with jeans or shorts and can be thrown on.  I dislike how much stress I caused for myself.

Fabric used

Navy and white gingham from Denver Fabrics.  I think this is 1/4" gingham, but it might be 1/8".

Pattern changes or any design alterations you made

I didn't serge, first of all; all seams are zig-zagged except the side seams, which are French.  Also, the side seams are 5/8"--I need the shaping.  I probably could've even gone to 3/4" but I didn't want to go too crazy.

Man, way to clean up the apartment, Emily.

Would you sew it again?

So here's where I'm torn.  I really do like it, and I like that everyone is making them so I have a steady stream of inspiration to flip through.  But I'm going to need to wear this a few times before I decide to make another.  

Conclusion

I love gingham.

The next project on my table is the Oliver + S Class Picnic blouse and shorts, which I cut out last week.  I also have three Simplicity 2215s in Lotta Jansdotter staring at me, as well as some Nani Iro begging me to buy it for a skirt.  Phew.