here’s a first!  i have never sewn a garment for myself that fit just right, straight from the pattern, without tinkering.  it’s mostly my fault for always cutting things too big – my body proportions apparently don’t fit in the “sizing box” very well and i never want to make something too small, so i go the other route then take it in later (doesn’t work that well).  this time i trusted the pattern, made the proper size based on the one measurement called for, and voila!  i made a top that i really love to wear!

it was my first try at the wiksten tank (now available for download), and i made it in a gingham from joann because it’s lightweight for drape, didn’t cost much, and i had enough in my stash.  i was hoping for it to be a “wearable muslin,” but it ended up much better than that, to me!  for a little pizzazz, i turned the pocket on the bias and did my topstitching in hot pink.  i know, you’d think when i finally stop sewing for my pink-obsessed three-year-old i’d pick a different color, but i thought it looked good with the black and white.  what can i say?  guess the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.

it’s cute with a cardigan and i see it getting worn a lot as the weather warms up.

drapey tops often tend to look a bit “maternity” on me, but this one hangs really nicely – the neckline and armholes are cut perfectly to fit so the drape looks intentional, not like you’re trying to hide something…does that make sense?  i had checked out the wiksten flickr group and the tank seemed universally flattering that way, which is the main reason i bought the pattern.

i like the shirt tail hemline, too – slightly longer in the back.  it’s just a really well-drafted pattern and i’m happy to have it in my stash now!  a great starting point like this has my imagination running wild with how to alter it for different looks, too.

i’m throwing the headless photo above into rae’s spring top sewalong pool, which opens today!  many thanks to rae for giving me a kick in the pants to sew for myself.  i don’t know what my deal is – i can dream up semi-elaborate looks for my kids and be pretty sure i can execute them, but when it comes to sewing clothes for me, even a simple tank required a big leap of faith.  i needed a success to really build some confidence, and this was a great first step!