WIKSTEN TANK || MY FIRST HANDMADE CLOTHING ITEM

I first found the Wiksten pattern at the start of last year. I had only had my sewing machine for a few months and was desperate to make something for myself. I found some beautiful floral fabric at spotlight and bought the pattern. Let's just say I was a bit out of my league. I hadn't sewn since textiles class in year 8 in the early 2000's.

The last couple of weeks I've been thinking about the Wiksten tank and wanting to get back to it. I found it with 3 of the 4 seams half sewn up, but that is all. At least it was already cut out. I measured myself again to check the size was still ok. It seemed a bit big, but I thought that once it was finished it would be fine. I think I gave up a bit last time because I thought it was too big and I didn't know how to fix it without cutting another pattern and I didn't want to wast the fabric, which I love.

So I went to finish the seams and when I looked at it I thought that it shouldn't be sewn with wrong sides together! I unpicked it all before re-reading the instructions to find I had sewn it the correct way for french seams - which I had never sewn before. So that was a little time wasted, but a lesson in making sure I've read the pattern, and then read it again!

I tried it on then and still thought it was too big for my liking, so I just took the seams in about an inch either side. I didn't unpick them, just sewed up an extra seam, which is a bit lazy I know! The bias binding for the neck and arms was really easy to put together with the instructions given, but I did find this tutorial which worked well for me.

Overall, I'm really happy with my Wiksten tank. I'm so glad I finally finished making it! I'm pretty proud of myself for making my first piece of clothing! It is super comfy, especially with the light cotton I used. The pattern was very straight forward and easy for a beginner like myself. I now know, after reading many a sewing blog, that making a muslin version first to get my sizing right would be the way to go, but a year ago when I cut out the pattern, I really had no idea what I was doing! The next time I make this tank, which will be soon I hope, I will try it out with a muslin first. I think the next size down will suit me better, and I'd also like to follow this tutorial to lose some of the gaping at the back.

Here are some photos of me wearing my new tank, courtesy of Jake!