Classic Tee...

 I have made a lot of t-shirts.  I never had an issue with the neckband until this fabric:

It is 100% cotton jersey which in my mind should have been perfect for a t-shirt.  Not so much.  I have decided that never again will I attempt a cotton jersey for t-shirt.  I really think that the only way a jersey will work for a neckband is if it has lycra in it.  I never had a neckband stand out from my body before.  I did make an alteration to this pattern by raising the neckline.  I very carefully measured the neckline and calculated the size that the neckband needed to be.  Of course, I did not notice the problem until after the neckband had attached by the serger and then the coverstitch.  Of yeah, I had fun removing those stitches.  

After the removal, I double-checked the length of the neckline on the top against the pattern.  The neckline was fine.  The only thing that was not was the neckband. It had stretched by approximately 3-inches.  I cut out another neckband from the fabric.  After some consideration, I decided that might not be a good idea.  Why would I expect different results with the same fabric?  

Now, I started considering different finishing options.  I could serge the edge, turn, and coverstitch but that would defeat raising the neckline.  Then, I thought maybe I could find some white ribbing and attach it with the serger.  The stash did indeed yield some white ribbing.  Here is the results:

The tee turned out okay.  I am happy that I was able to save the top because I really like the print and color.  I will avoid 100% cotton jersey in the future for a t-shirt with a neckband.  I am guessing that the issue is a mismatch between the fabric and the pattern.  Overall, this will be a much needed top in the wardrobe. It fits a little better than what I can purchase. The pattern needs a little more tweaking. 

Happy Stitching!

Friday Update...

 Looks like the Friday updates may be bi-weekly instead of weekly.  I have been relatively busy changing decor at my house - post 1 and post 2.  Maybe this next week I will start the slipcovers.  They really should not be hard just time consuming figuring out what needs to be done.  

I made another tank made.  I am very happy with the fit of the sleeveless armhole.  I may make another version of this tank but I think it will be the last for this year unless I decide to follow through and make a tank dress.  

Also, I made a t-shirt from the Loves Notions Classic Tee Shirt pattern.  I love the fabric.  The pattern needs more tweaking for me.  It is wearable even with it's flaws.  I have many pieces of fabric destined for t-shirts.  

I  purchased more fabric.  The blue linen is destined to become another tank.  I love the color and wish that I had picked up more than a remnant.  

I have started working on the Allegro Bottoms pants pattern.  I need to work out the sizing before I get too far.  I traced and started working on a size 14 and decided that I needed to rework the sizing as I did not think I had enough room.  I am planning two pair of pants in linen and tight would probably pull the seams out.  

I have been working through another season of the Design Your Wardrobe at Seamwork.  I do not follow through with every lesson but it does seem to help a bit with my planning.  Most of what I have made or planned has been the linen from Fabrics-store.com.  I have a real love for linen.  

I also purchased the Love Notions Duet Trousers Course.  This is the first time that I have taken a class from this site but I decided to give it a try.  I had purchased the pattern a couple of years ago and it has been updated now with more sizes and a fully belly adjustment which I thought was interesting.  Anyway, you may see me attempting that pant was well in the near future.  Karina at Pins & Needles just made a pair of the Duet Trousers in linen and put her own spin it.  It is worth watching.  It gives me all kinds of ideas.

Happy Stitching!

Love Notions Classic Tee....

I seem to have finally got started on the spring/summer sewing.  On my project list this year was the Love Notions Classic Tee.  I started with figuring out what size to trace which was many.  This post talks about that.  Next, I cut out and stitched the muslin.   The muslin was a drapier fabric than this version but I do like the top.  Here it is:

I am loving the scoop neck.  I will tweak it just a little bit on the next version.  I am going to tighten it up a bit so there is not any gaping when I lean over. 

You can see that I need a little more of an FBA than the full front provides in the pattern.  The front is swinging forward just a little bit. 

The back is baggy especially through the shoulders.  I am not sure if I should attempt an alteration to correct this.  The top is not meant to be fitted at all.  Maybe I will play with this later.

Yes, definitely need a larger FBA for this one.  

Honestly, this top is totally wearable.  It is as good as anything that I purchase and maybe a little better because the shoulders are not hanging off my shoulders.  I might be able to go to a smaller armscye.  We will see how much tweaking that I am willing to do.  

I love this fabric.  I am not sure exactly what it is but it feels like a cotton interlock.  Love the pink tie-dye.   Third top for summer.

I do not think I will make it to the Love Notions Laundry Day Tee.  The Classic Tee seems to be pretty good.  I think one more scoop neck and one v-neck and I will be ready to go.

Happy Stitching!