Finished - Sailboat Wiksten Tova

Woohoo! I finally got around to making my Tova shirt. And I love it.
 

 

Pattern Used 
Wiksten Tova. I downloaded the pdf pattern from the Wiksten website for under £7- if you'd prefer to work with the paper pattern you can get it from M is for Make, although it's an eye watering £21.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I'd seen Shivani's 3 versions on Pins & Needles and really loved the style of it. I thought it would be great to wear during and post-pregnancy too. (So Zo's just posted her version of the dress too)

Working with the pattern, I found it a bit annoying that the seam allowance was so small (3/8") because it was designed to be made with a serger. You really need to add a larger seam allowance if you're wanting to do a nice seam finish like French seams. As I was making this version as a wearable muslin I just pinked the seams.

If I'd bothered to read ahead in the instructions I could have added a larger seam allowance when cutting out my pattern pieces but, well, I didn't. At points I did have to read the instructions very carefully as I didn't feel they were as clearly written as they could be and to me, the black and white photos weren't as clear as diagrams. I am being picky here though, there was nothing exceptionally confusing in the instructions.

Fabric & Notions
Sailboat poly cotton. I'd previously used this (with the pattern upside down, ahem) for my Current Husband's Drunken Sailor pyjama bottoms. Happily I had enough left over to make this wearable muslin version of Tova.

 (Rather small picture of the pattern)

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made
I added 2" to the length but 1" would have been enough. I also made a broad shoulder adjustment but I will have to make this bigger next time as it's still a little tight. Honestly, what is it with the width of my shoulders?! As usual, this fit issue is my main problem with this top. 

Would you sew it again and do anything different next time?

I'm definitely wanting to make it again, and I have a lovely Liberty fabric in mind, which has been waiting for the right project for over a year (fingers crossed I actually have enough of it...). I'll make the changes to the length and shoulders, as noted above. I might also face the inset pieces with the same fabric or a contrasting fabric, as you can see quite a lot of this as the neck tends to fall open.

Next time I might add a button and buttonhole to the placket as it does fall pretty wide open.

Did you use any new techniques? 
I don't think so. 

Would you recommend the pattern to others? 

Yes, it's such a lovely top.

Cost

Pdf Pattern was $10 (£6.36) and I already had the fabric and thread, so a cheap make.

Conclusion

I'm delighted with how this has turned out. I don't usually wear shirts or blouses but I really love
that this pattern has a great smart/casual look.

K x