inquiry: Best T shirt (major updates)

A few years ago I conscientiously stopped wearing /buying/making t shirts. I was dressing fancier, and needed to step it up.

Then my life and fashion said it was ok again, and I didn't have any!

I'm making ALL the t-shirts, choosing the best 1 (or 2 - one each fitted and drapey, MAYBE), and chucking the rest.


This survey will only be helpful for you if you're shaped like me -- but lots of women are, so I hope it's of use! I'm 5'6", 38" bust, 30" waist, 38" hips.

Shirt 1: Grainline Hemlock T - free pattern, one size. Pattern includes long sleeves, but just cut them to 3-4" and it's a drapey, oversized T shirt-- well, actually, you'll need to shorten the hem another 4" (or more if you're shorter).

fresh out of the laundry basket sorrrrryyy

I had this pocket around so I slapped it on there. Here's the rayon knit I used.

shhhh

Shirt 2: Lou Box Top - this pattern is built for knits OR wovens, so once you find the shape you like, you can use that pattern allllla time. it's worth the $12.

here it is in motion. size down at least once if you use Lou for knits.

nice curve @ back, right?

and here is how posture changes the way your body looks, courtesy of showgirls everywhere

not in action

Shown here with scoopneck and curved front/back hem options (there are 3 hem options and two necklines included).

Tissue knit - zero fabric stability. Excellent drape :)

I like this one A LOT. I brought up the rear hem another 3", as patterned it was just too long (for this fabric). For work or any bending-over situations, I'll use the crewneck, not scoopneck, option.

Shirt 3: Plantain - again, free pattern, worth the printing! Fabric is rayon lycra jersey. (this is a plan, not a shirt, apparently.)

Shirt 4: THE WINNER! Megan Nielsen's Briar. I don't love the crazy high low hem, but the neck and bust and sleeve shaping are the best. Here's one I made in lovely interlock with dots. I used a M, I think...

and here's how i fixed the hem on the next one:

Shirt 5: from Meg McElwee's craftsy class. Good top, but too sporty in styling. I could probably hack it to open the neck and shorten, then widen the sleeves, but who has time for that when there are all of these lovely versions ready?

Shirt 6: scoopneck tee from Skirt as Top

I made a 25" x2" band to use at the neck. For my reference 😅

Real life: the sleeves are a little too short and narrow- for this one I wanted to add a band (3"Xsleeve circumference) to finish the edge and add a little length. 

Findings: Briar is the winner. Just fix the hem and size down a bit.
Not testing: Tonic top from SBCC or blank canvas tee from Cake-- I just don't like their shapes.

cooking happens too: summer squash bake

(Accidentally and optionally Vegan) Summer Squash Bake with Salsa Verde
Adapted from http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2014/07/summer-squash-gratin-with-salsa-verde/ who adapted it from Sunday Suppers at Lucques

This was a kitchen sink recipe to use up a pile of fresh herbs and early summer delights from our CSA box (join here: http://www.eatwell.com/#whats-a-csa). I improvised pretty wildly from the original because I didn't feel like going to the grocery store, and had high quality-if different- ingredients on hand. The recipe can take it. 

Serves 4 to 6? 

Gratin
2 pounds summer squash
Salt
1 1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs (from nick's pizza crusts decadentttt)
3 tablespoons butter
1-2 quartered spring onions - just the white part - save the greens for garnish
[1 cup grated gruyere cheese] -i axed that as I only had cheddar and feta onhand. cheddar is too kiddie, and feta too salty to mix with the brine of the salsa verde. i
1/4 cup salsa verde (below)
Freshly ground black pepper

optional: 1 bunch chard, chopped into ribbons

Salsa verde
1 tablespoon thyme leaves
1 teaspoon oregano leaves (or half, if dried)
a few basil leaves
1 cup coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley
3-4 teeny cloves fresh (undried) garlic
i subbed 6 lemon-rosemary marinated olives for:1 salt-packed anchovy, 1 tablespoon capers, and 1/2 lemon

1/2 cup olive oil

Cut the squash into thin coins. Toss with salt and set aside for at least 10 minutes. Do it n a colander so it can drain easily. I used this time to play a game with my kid. 

direct from smitten (buy her cookbook): Meanwhile, place breadcrumbs in a small bowl. In a small skillet or saucepan, melt butter and keep cooking it over medium heat until it browns and smells nutty. Carefully pour (in a small drizzle at first) over breadcrumbs and be sure to scrape out any brown bits from the pot. Toss crumbs to evenly coat.

Make the salsa verde by blending the herbsand olives in a food processor or blender. With the machine running, stream in the olive oil in a drizzle. Season with salt and black pepper.

Add shallots, [gruyere] half the breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup salsa verde (about half; you can use the rest to dress eggs or any roasted meat) and some freshly ground black pepper to the bowl with the summer squash and toss. Transfer to a 9×9-inch (or equivalent; I used a 9-inch round cast-iron skillet) baking dish. Scatter remaining breadcrumbs over the top and bake 35 to 40 minutes, until the squash is tender and the crumbs are crisp.

Rebecca's version to finish:

Add chopped chard as squash is cooling- the steam will wilt it just enough to provide a fresh herby texture. 

Garnish with chives and grated cheese. 

yum. do you have a great plum recipe to share?

xo bex

FO: Latest Moss

I never blogged last years free stretch corduroy moss... So here's this year's!

I just followed the directions, straight size 8, and added about 4" at the lengthen line for modesty (aka ability to sit without flashing).

Oh and I jean-ed it up with patch pockets, a hammered button, and yellow topstitching. This skirt really reads jean skirt to me, but maybe because I keep making it in these Levi's- like fabrics?

Maybe one day in a classy wool. Mayyybeee...

What's your fave skirt? How about dress pants? I need some, but I'm scared...Manhattan trouser???

Update: action shots!

FO: Named Patterns "delphi dress"

I needed a dress for a 3pm wedding. 

Still-unfinished Georgina was not going to allow dancing. I woke up with this vision, and I skipped lunch, but I bought, printed, cut and sewed this dress in time.
 

This thing is SUPER FAST. And REALLY GOOD FOR DANCING.

ok i'll stop with the caps. It's good to have a flashy belt, otherwise there's just a bunch of fabric overwhelming you (i used rayon jersey, so it was a bit heavy in its simple glamour).

One modification: i wanted to wear a bra. So i made 1" fabric tubes and ran some 1" twill tape through there to support it.

Then I slipped those straps in the inverted Vs at the top of the bodice (the bodice is doube layered, allowing that lovely swing, so it's easy to hide the stitching). Secure! strong! bra-friendly.


go get it if you like nice things: Named Clothing Delphi Maxi Dress

summer sewing list: vacation edition

cool tote - like caravan but wider. use leather straps and make a little clutch that can be a night bag to hold wallet etc At All Times.

shorts - use maritime flashy linen, check!

tate top with FBA (rock n republic hack into this?)

hack black jeans to fit perfectly

t shirts - black, aqua (check!), coral. decide best pattern: Winner! briar with straight hem
not: deer & doe freebie, meg mcelwee with scoop/v,  lou box top

drapey long sleeve T

silky lou box top take 3

jumpsuit muslin

bikini redo with cups. same fabric, that stuff is cute. just add cups!

cropped linden in that crazy camo fleece check!

center zipper on jasper sweater

rayon casual pants? hudsons? Named Alexandrias! They're PERFECT

moto jacket? I did buy that class, after all

learn to embroider

cross stitch microbes.

FINISH georgina. she's so pretty!