I have known about the True Bias Nikko top/dress without wanting to make it for a long time. Winter did it to me, I wanted a high neck!!!
This simple appearing pattern actually has a different draft for the top and the dress. It ends up being a HUGE pattern and I'm really glad for A0. People comment that the dress is looser in comparison with the top.
I started out making size 2 in the sleeveless top. That matches my measurements except at the hip where it's narrower than I am. I noted from a few blogs that it is pretty fitted but I was curious just how fitted. The answer: very. I won't make size 2 again, but this will be a fine baselayer. I didn't really like the way the armholes were done so I just put on normal bindings and they were good. However, I was hunting for a better solution.
Moved onto the sleeveless size 4. I liked normal bindings ok but I didn't feel like they were great, but to avoid the issue altogether I made this in two layers of what I thought was see through merino. The two layers make it a formidable weight though and when I wore it on the south island despite freezing temps I was really warm. Unfortunately, two layers ends up gaping at the front armscye after a few hours of wear. It needs something on the armhole to really help maintain shape. I gave up thinking about this and moved on to....
...a sleeved size 4. This fabric is greenish on one side and grey green rib on the other. I liked the green but ended up with grey out because I thought it almost created a holographic effect I couldn't resist. This rib, however, is not stretchy as real rib knits are. This is a super fitted top! I finally, after literally 5 months of procrastination, plugged in the brand new coverstitch machine and did the hems on this properly. Sort of properly. Learning curve in action.
The Nikko instructions do note you should use a *very* stretchy knit. My size 2, oatmeal coloured fabric is the stretchiest I used and the fit is almost the same as the size 4 in merino. I think overall the 4 fits better.
I lost momentum at this point and didn't make the dress. I think that as long as it really does have more ease, and I'm using very stretchy knits, the size 4 dress is ok but I would debate cutting the back a size 6 from the waist to hips. Since it's very cold outside this dress has no appeal at all and I will save the plans for spring. I have some fabric I'm keen to use so I do think I'll come back to it - also after making another relatively narrow skirted dress I am teasing with the idea. The weird logic of life means I am making all these dresses in the middle of winter and I guess by midsummer I will know if I like them.
