It's no secret that I love sewing tote bags and clutches. Generally speaking, however, I don't sew clothes. The couple of prior experiences that I had making clothes ended in...mediocrity. Either I chose the wrong fabric or the fit was off or, um, I didn't know that different kinds of fabric called for different needles, and in the end, I just sort of felt like I'd rather spend my time making other things and/or shopping. With more fashionable and download-at-home patterns out there, I thought maybe it was time to give it another try. So I gave this tank/dress pattern from Wiksten a shot. The result: not so bad. Read on for more pics and to learn how my fabric choice -- while awesome -- necessitated calling this a "swim cover."
I chose this freakin' awesome fabric from Spoonflower in cotton voile. My intention had been to just make a tank, so I figured that the shearer voile would drape better and be more comfy. After laying out all the pattern pieces, I realized that I had enough to make a dress. I got greedy and made the dress. So, yeah, you can completely see through it, so...swim suit cover it is! Since I don't find myself needing a swim suit cover very often in the city, I think I'm likely to go ahead and hem it shorter to be the tank that I had originally planned.
I chose this freakin' awesome fabric from Spoonflower in cotton voile. My intention had been to just make a tank, so I figured that the shearer voile would drape better and be more comfy. After laying out all the pattern pieces, I realized that I had enough to make a dress. I got greedy and made the dress. So, yeah, you can completely see through it, so...swim suit cover it is! Since I don't find myself needing a swim suit cover very often in the city, I think I'm likely to go ahead and hem it shorter to be the tank that I had originally planned.
Despite this tiny little snafu, I'm pretty freakin' pleased with how it turned out. The stitches actually look kind of legit. It fits well, and I love the fabric.
Oh, and special thanks to Michael for snapping enough photos of me such that I don't look painfully idiotic!
Oh, and special thanks to Michael for snapping enough photos of me such that I don't look painfully idiotic!
I really like the fishy pattern, perfect for the beach :)
ReplyDeleteNEON MIZZLE
This last picture of you is great! Good job!
ReplyDeleteYou always do such a great job!! I love the cover up! xx. McKenna Lou
ReplyDeletewww.lynnandlou.com
Awesome timing on this post! I feel *exactly* the same way about sewing clothes - I sometimes feel it's something that could be nice to do - get the fit just right on clothes in a way stores never do, pick my own fabrics, etc. But then I remember that I would have to, you know, get the fit just right and pick the fabrics. Blerg! My experience with this hasn't been great, I'd rather stick good mini-quilt or zipper pouch.
ReplyDeleteBUT! I just this week picked out the Wiksten Tank because it is very similar to a store-bought top I lovelovelove and would like to have more of, and I've picked out fabric as well. Not that I've bought any of it, but seeing yours looking all perfect and lovely, right when I have it in my head, is a definite nudge. Thanks for sharing - it looks fantastic!
Haha. My thoughts exactly! If only I could just clone a version of me that would just make custom clothes for us...which I actually think might be one of the many ethical issues surrounding cloning.
DeleteYou are ADORABLE. And this fabric is so perfect!
ReplyDeleteUm, that previous comment was supposed to be from Andrew's wife, but since he would say the same thing (probably with fewer capitalizations and minus the exclamation point), I have no worries.
ReplyDeleteBahaha. I was like...Woah, that's some serious (and unexpected) enthusiasm from Andrew!
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