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This is the third post in my “Go with the flow” capsule – collection that will use all the 8 patterns in the new book: SEW BEAUTIFUL. Make Stylish Handmade Clothing with Simple Stitch-and-wear Patterns by Kennis Wong.

Catch up here 🙂

• PART 1. Overview of all the patterns in the book, my plans and fabric choices, see THIS BLOG POST and THIS VIDEO on my channel.
• PART 2. Mornington top & dress. How to sew a woven V neckline 2 ways: lining and bias binding. This THIS BLOG POST and THIS VIDEO on my channel.

Tap on the photo to purchase SEW BEAUTIFUL through my affiliate link on Amazon US. CLICK HERE for information to purchase out of the USA.

The book is on pre-order at the moment. I was a pattern tester and will share a free flowing collection of all the garments from this book. The plan is for them to use this color palette: purple, grey, white & black.

This post is all about the TAKTSANG. I have made one mega simplified version, and the minor changes I made are to adapt to my fabric choice : its look and properties.

Features of the Taktsang dolman

The Taktsang  has a relaxed fit, not too loose, not fitted. The length reaches the full hip, and there are shorten and lengthen lines to customize to your preference.

There is a center back seam with discreet waist shaping. The sleeves are 3/4 length and dolman style that is integrated into the front and back pieces. Super easy to sew.

The neckline is finished neatly with interfaced facings and it crosses over.

There are three belt loops that are sewn onto the side seams and back seam to hold the fabric sash or your own belt.

Best fabrics for the Taktsang

The Taktsang can be made with so many fabrics, for so many looks. It’s a simple design and perfect to show off special fabrics with awesome prints and/or textures.

You can see good choices in the diagram above. Depending on the weight of the fabric, your Taktsang could look very different: a jacket, a cardigan or a wrap top.

My preference is always the lightweight woven fabrics because I like the way the fabric hangs, especially for a dolman sleeve. I would love a wrap top made with crepe, chiffon, rayon, and tencel twill. A sweater knit would make a lovely cardigan. As a jacket? I think I always prefer jackets to have set-in sleeves, so I would not make this style with a heavier fabric.

I have made one Taktsang and chose a black crinkle crepe chiffon with embroidery details. Yes, it’s black, but by no means boring and perfect for my vision for how I want it to fit into my capsule collection.

My vision: a light cover up that can be worn open over the dresses and tops in this capsule collection. I don’t want to wear it on its own or wrapped and closed with a sash.

Other alternatives… thinking out of the box: If you lengthen the pattern a good 10″ and chose a pretty silk satin, the Taktsang could be a super luxurious robe for lounging! I don’t own a special robe… that needs to change and this pattern would be the perfect base.

Sizing discussion

The Taktsang is available in sizes 00-20 US and is drafted for a B/C bust cup size.

I chose a straight size 14. The design is not loose, nor fitted, and the amount of wearing ease is very appropriate for it to layer over another garment.

Personal fitting

The Taktsang reaches the full hip, and I did some flat pattern measurements to check the actual length. I decided to shorten the front and back by 2″ for it to have the length that I prefer (mid hip).

If you are making length adjustments, make sure to also replicate the same change to the front facing, so that they match.

I get much more wear out of garments with short sleeves, so I decided to shorten the integrated dolman sleeves by 13″! I know that this way, my Taktsang will be more versatile for me.

Sewing considerations

• The seam allowance is 1/2″ for the whole garment.
• There a very few pattern pieces.
• The back piece is NOT cut on the fold, there is a seam there with shaping.

I am not using the facings, so I have changed the technique and the steps. This is how I am doing this:

• I measured the front neckline length on the paper pattern and cut a narrow 1/4″ wide strip of fusible interfacing that same exact length.
• I fused the narrow interfacing on the edge of the front necklines. Because I knew the length it needed to be, I could prevent it stretching out while manipulating it. This is superior to stay stitching and results in a very stable neckline.
• I made self bias tape that is 1″ wide so that when folded over the raw edge, it would cover the tiny area that is interfaced.
• To make 1″ bias tape, cut strips of 2″ wide. When you put the fabric through the 25mm bias tape maker, it will result in a 1″ finished width.
• When I cut the sleeves shorter, I added 5/8″ for hem allowance and trued the shape of the seam to have an even hem.
• The bottom hem needs to be sewn to do the binding on the neckline.
• To apply the binding, I wrap it around the raw edge in one step while hand basting it on.

The video tutorial on my sewing channel

To see the entire video review, look book and practicalities of sewing my version of the Taktsang including all the pattern changes, the sewing, and an overview of the pattern, the video about the Taktsang in my sewing channel.

Podcast links

To hear my video in an audio file to take with you on the go, my PODCAST is available on these platforms below 🙂

Let’s see my Taktsang in different styling

Takstang with my purple Mornington top

I think my black Taktsang can dress my purple top down and I like that, especially with my old denim skirt. Note that the purple top is a tad shorter than my little topper. This was intentional. My purple Mornington is 1.5″ shorter than the original to be shorter than the Taktsang I also had made shorter.

The Taktsang worn open and loose will not go on top of the ties of the Mornington. So I made the Taktsang more laid back, because I wanted it to fit well into this capsule collection.

The binding on the neckline is pretty and neat and an acceptable way to finish this sheer fabric.

Taktsang with my purple chiffon Mornington dress

I wear my dresses above the knee and sometimes a tad shorter than that! Therefore, I preferred my Taktsang to be a little shorter, so that there would be more difference between the hems of both garments: the topper and the dress.

Taktsang with my black/white bubble crepe Mornington dress with the V neck bias binding

Making it again? YES! I will make the Taktsang again very similarly because I know I will wear this style so much in my daily life. Other colors, other fabrics and possibly a longer fancy silk robe too…..

You will see my black Taktsang again paired with more garments in this collection!

DISCLAIMER: The links to SEW BEAUTIFUL book are amazon affiliate links. I was a pattern tester for this book and received a complimentary copy in exchange for my feedback on instructions and fit. I purchased all the fabrics for this series. I produce sewing content independently from pattern brands and share my unique way of sewing with you. I don’t necessarily follow instructions rigidly. My opinions are honest, especially around fit and sewing techniques.

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