Skip to main content

Made by a Fabricista: Summer Sunburst Tova



Hello!  I'm glad to be back on the Fabric Mart blog and joining the other Fabricistas with a new summer project for May. Well, I may have been one of the few people on the sewing planet that hadn't made Wiksten's Tova Tunic, but folks things have finally changed. I'm bringing summer in with a sunny sunburst Tova.


There are plenty of reviews of the Tova tunic out there so there's no need for me to review it here. But I will say although the blouse has simple lines and lends itself to all types of fabrics and embellishments, I wouldn't recommend it for a beginner. It's a seasonless pattern and would be a great project for an intermediate sewer.


Some time ago I pinned a Steven Alan shirt onto my I Wanna Make This Pinterest board because I loved the fabric. Eureka! I found it! Fabric Mart's abstract bursts 100% lightweight handkerchief linen in white, blue and pale coral is just that fabric! This linen is lighter than any other I've ever worked with but still is crisp like other linens. I machine washed and dried it before I cut it out and it came out lovely.


The colors are beautiful in this fabric and I decided to highlight the coral on the bib of the tunic using embroidery thread and my sewing machine. Reverse bobbin work is popular among art quilters but I don't often see it anywhere else. Quilters take decorative threads that don't fit through sewing machine needles and wind them on the bobbin instead.  When you sew from the wrong side, the decorative thread from the bobbin shows through on the right side.


For the reverse bobbin work, I used DMC embroidery floss and wound it by hand on a bobbin and loaded it into my machine without changing any settings. Don't be afraid...just do it...it'll be okay.



Working from the back of the blouse, I stitched along the seam line of the bib of the tunic so the bobbin thread would show on the front.  It's as easy as that.


It's subtle but isn't it pretty?  I also added some to the band of the sleeve.  Once you get going it's hard to stop. And yes, reverse bobbin work washes well.



I ended up shortening the blouse 4" (I found it longer than the drawing suggests) but otherwise made no other changes. I will probably make it again this fall in a cozy flannel. Wouldn't it be great? But right now I'll enjoy my new sunny blouse.


  Have you made a Tova?


Happy almost summer everyone!
Diane - Gatorbunnysews

Comments

  1. Great Idea about the embroidery thread . I have to try it. Your blouse is very pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beautiful top! I've never tried the technique with the embroidery thread- thank you for explaining how to do it. And it's good to know that it washes well too.:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a great way to use up all of that left over embroidery floss you have around. And, I love the new maxi dress you made.

      Delete
  3. I love that embroidery thread idea. And that pattern is awesome. But since I do a FBA on everything (D cup), I wonder how you would do a FBA on something with an inset bib like that...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think you could do a modified FBA by adding a dart on the side and increasing the gathers at the bottom of the bib. Let me know how it goes.

      Delete
  4. I LOVE this and I am probably the last person on earth that hasn't made the Tova. Now, I must! I love your embellishment with the bobbin work. I must try it! Happy sewing!
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So that means I was the second to the last to make the Tova. You're up next!

      Delete
  5. Replies
    1. Okay, so maybe I was third to the last to make the Tova.... You and Sue are up next.

      Delete
  6. I have made the Tova a few times but wear only one version of it -- from Irish linen I also bought on Fabric Mart a few years ago. What KILLS me now is seeing this fabric knowing it was on deep deep discount the other day and I want to go buy it today! Oh well.......Your top is just beautiful!!!! Also: great idea for a Pinterest board.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That Pinterest board has helped me numerous times when I have a creative block. It also helps me when I'm inspired to reduce my stash!

      Delete
  7. No, I haven't made a Tova - so you're still further back in the queue! Lovely cheerful fabric; your too looks great. I'm interested in your reverse bobbin work - do you need to make changes to the bobbin tension or thread it differently? And how many strands of the embroidery thread do you use? Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  8. Very nice information
    I like this article so much
    I will bookmark it and visit again soon.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for leaving a comment! All comments are reviewed before posting to help us eliminate spam. Your comment will be posted within 24 hours.

Popular Posts You Might Like

Made by a Fabricista: Milo + Citrine

Hello sewing friends! It’s Andrea - @happy.things.here on IG and today I’m on the blog to share some sew inspo on one of my favorite kinds of garments to make – cardigans! I absolutely love making them and wearing them year-round, whether it’s an extra layer for around my house in the winter, as my outermost layer in Spring and Fall, or paired with a dress on a cooler summer evening. I love love love cardigans! And there are so many great cardigan patterns out there – chances are that each of your favorite pattern companies offers multiple cardigan patterns. Button-less cardigans are great beginner patterns, and a handmade cardigan is a lovely personalized gift since it’s more forgiving for fit and you don’t have to know someone’s exact measurements to make one. And you can make them in all sorts of knit fabrics too.  Today I chose two cardigan patterns to share with you that I think bring a little something extra to the table. They are the Seamwork Milo and the Made by Rae Citrine.

Week 4: Jeansmaking- What They Made

This is it, the final round! And we certainly did not go easy on our three remaining contestants this time. This round they had to make their own pair of well fitting jeans. I think they all did an absolutely outstanding job! Take a look what these ladies accomplished & be sure to vote for your favorite! (Link at bottom of post.) And, don't forget to show us your me-made jeans on Facebook or Instagram. Details at the bottom of this post. Danesha from  Classyfied Life So first I must say that this entire challenge has been just that...a challenge! Two weeks ago there was hurricane Irma and I was blessed enough to not lose power and then I went out into the aftermath to capture some photos of my submission. Then two weeks ago I had a big trip planned so I had to do EVERYTHING  in two days . Then the BIGGEST challenge of all...THIS week! I got the challenge and I was super excited to have an extra few days and then before I could even get started I ended up in the eme

Made by a Fabricista: Revving up your style in the Dana Marie Moto Jacket

Hey friends - I am so excited to have been invited to participate as a Fabric Mart Fabricista this month!  This year is the year I challenge my sewing skills.   I have wanted a moto jacket for some time.  Not just any moto jacket but one that has a classic and timeless style. I saw the Dana Marie Moto Jacket pattern on the Fabric Mart website and knew that was the one.  The fabric I used was a beautiful porcelain white/black/silver 100% polyester plaid weave boucle suiting.    Remember when I said I wanted to challenge my sewing skills?  😉 This fabric was beautiful but fragile to work with.  It was a great mental challenge that had me problem solving before sewing to avoid any potential problems.  I first traced out the pattern onto tissue paper to determine the fit.   I used scrap cotton fabric to sew up a “practice run” of the jacket.    I was pleasantly surprised at how easily the jacket comes together.   I sewed up the muslin in one evening.  It was time to cut into the beautifu