FORS TOP TAUKO MAGAZINE #11
FORS
Design by Josefine Hultén
For the launch of TAUKO magazine #11, I was invited to choose a design from the magazine to participate in their "Make & Share".
I decided to choose the FORS top, designed by Josefine Hultén, as I love the square neckline detail and structured element of the garment.
"Named after the Swedish word for “torrent”, the FORS top is inspired by movement. Although the garment is rather structured, it accentuates the curves of the body to create movement and flow. The top has a square neckline, wide shoulder straps, and a button-down front. The cropped design makes it perfect to wear with high-waisted trousers."
SIZING
I found the sizing chart for the Finished Garment Measurements difficult to choose from, as there is such a big difference between each. The info recommends you select a finished size with a positive ease of +1cm. My bust measures 34"/86.5cm. If I were to choose the size 2, I only have an ease of 0.5cm. But If I were to choose the size 3, I would have an ease of 8.5cm which would render the whole top way too big! So I took the lazy way out, and rather than drafting the size 2 properly to be the right size for my body measures, I just extended both the centre front and centre back pieces by 1cm (so a 4cm total extra in circumference) to allow for a comfortable waist measure, with the thought of fitting myself before finishing to hopefully be able to just tighten the bust by adjusting the button placements as necessary!
I chose to add on an extra 5cm to the length, as I'm not comfortable with my midriff on display.
INSTRUCTIONS
The instructions unfortunately are very basic that it actually gets a bit confusing. I would definitely not recommend the instructions for beginners. However, if the instructions were more straightforward, it could be a project for confident beginner sewers.
The top is fully lined using the same patterns pieces as for the main fabric layer. I personally think that it would be easier to make up the lining piece first, so you can try this on first to check for fit to make any adjustments before attaching it to the main fabric piece. As I followed the instructions, and fitted at a later stage only to realise I had to do a lot of unpicking to adjust both the lining side and the main fabric side, which I easily could have avoided. (In the perfect world, I would have toiled this first!)
FITTING
Due to my added centimetres across the bust, I knew I needed to adjust this. I found I needed to take out the excess at the side seams, as I had very gappy armholes.
I also found the straps gave me a gap at the back, on the sides towards the centre back. This was easily rectified by unpicking the strap seams half way and pulling the strap downwards a little to get rid of the excess, then stitching the seam back in place.
As I lengthened the hem by 5cm, it then sat funny on my waist and kept pushing the top up, so I chose to take away some of this added length so that it would lie across my waistline at navel point (where my high waist trousers sit to avoid any midriff!). I took off 3.5cm, meaning I lengthened it by 1.5cm from the original pattern. As shown in the photo, the length finishes nicely along my trouser waistline. Also, the circumference of the waist gives me a 1cm ease so it is not tight around my waist, and hangs nicely following on the princess seam.
CONCLUSION
I am very pleased with the final outcome, and cannot wait for sunnier days to wear it! The neckline sits very modest, and I love this structured look for a more tailored yet casual look! For a Size 2, I only needed 50cm of 150cm width fabric for the main fabric, and for the lining, so I managed to make this top using fabric scraps I had!
If you decide to make this, make up a toile first (maybe in a fabric you could then use as your lining piece, as not to waste fabric). The alterations I had to do on myself were pretty simple and straightforward. Now I have the modified pattern pieces to my body shape, and I don't need to follow the instructions again, it will be a really quick fun make. I'll definitely make more versions of this top if I have any sunny holidays to go to, and some fabric scraps to use up!
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I apologise I have no photos from the make up stage. I get so engrossed with sewing, I never think to stop to take photos, but will try harder in the future, as I realise trying to explain things in this post is quite tricky!
You can find this FORS pattern in TAUKO magazine issue no. 11, which can be purchased here.
Materials used:
- (Main fabric) Anthracite Washed Linen
- (Lining) Dark Green Organic Cotton Poplin
- (Buttons) 4 x Corozo Button Grey 20mm
- (Sewing Thread) Scanfil Organic Cotton Sewing Thread Charcoal
- TAUKO magazine Issue No.11
- You can browse the past issues of TAUKO Magazine here!
Have you made the FORS top? What are your thoughts?
Thanks for reading!