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.

me made may

How ya been, pals? Gramming it up for #MMM15? Not me. I mean, I make 80-90% of my clothes, but i'm a teacher and a mom and an exerciser without a remote for my camera (phone). I don't have a glamorous life or wardrobe, even if i love art and have really cool hair and friends. So i'll spare you the daily mirror pics this year!

BUT i am thinking of my wardrome mariekon style and wardrobe architect-y...It's that I've got the sewing skills now to do whatever i need, mostly...so what do i really need?

Here's what I've worn so far:

1. Friday, May Day -
   Ginger jeans, (ooh #conemills denim)
   dotted Briar top with lace pocket - luscious fabric, lovely pocket, not a flattering hem on me but i think i fixed it*

   

   there she is! Ms McCalls 6606 with flower plackets

   gray chambray Mccalls 6606
2. Saturday - day of death by poison oak
   ghost of my gingham darling ranges - edited to irretrievable strangeness ( i took out the gathering in the back? the bodice is so short? the boobs are so bulleted?), but  just as light as air, ahhh.
3. Sunday
   RTW! head to toe! oh except that same McCalls button up:

   

   hi again!

   but then i worked out in my Steeplechase leggings, XYT top, and threw on a Jasper sweater afterwards to lounge by our beautiful Lake.
4. Monday May the fo(u)rth
   Ginger jeans (hiiii i love jeans)
   Space V neck
   Jasper sweater (it's sooo soft and delicious and i have so few options for full length sleeves and I'm trying to hide the horror that is leftover after a week of poison oak did i mention the poison oak?) 

So it appears, from all of these surprise unblogged items, that I have some blogging to do!

the back hem curve is nice. 

Other things to do?

• rivet them jeans!
• make a high waisted, cropped pair with side zips!
• more button down. the McCalls is pretty cute (made pre-Archer release, so), though a little more negative curve in the front hem would be nicer than the flat edge. 
• always, always, undies for Katey the hair genius. 

are you tricking out your me made may? or how did you finally master the daily selfie?

xo

bex

note to self always use Lou box top! it's perfect. also PS Mostly my unders are grace panties, which are cute but take a surprising amount of fabric cause they're cut on the bias, rosy ladyshorts, my absolute favorite and go-to girlfriend gift - they're fast and comfy and cute and work well for lace, jersey, whatever, and fehr trade lacey thongs, which are LOVELY but take an hour to cut and 4 different kinds of lace before you even sew a stitch. they are hot and flattering, though. I have decided i will drop bra making for now (buying notion is annoying). maybe in the summmer...? meh. 

watch your trails, bay areans! i'm smiling here because it's not oozing. 

Darling Darling Ranges

 done! just in time for a sunny sunday.

I made the Darling Ranges (with a slightly higher neckline) in about what, 12 hours? I love this pattern! Meg is so cute with her super careful directions and "turn the sleeve right way round" aussie-isms. Did you know the pattern is named after a mountain range? So i wore it with boots, and took it on a hike (not pictured, thankfully).

after all of that cake and frosting talk, i put the frosting inside so i have a crazy versatile, super easy dress,  (which needs a slip- doh) and the insides are sparkled up for my own pleasure. woo! 

custom boobie cups. not bad, for a first time!

Handily, this "How to Move a Dart" (from Sunni, again) arrived just in time. Seriously, it's no wonder my previous attempts to sew for real were so ill-fated. I would get so bogged down without these amazing seamstresses around. I should also follow instructions and not just put the pockets wherever i want. the designer probably knows where your hands should go, dummy. 3 inches is good. 5 is too low. oh well.

I'd like to do a few versions-- maybe one with a longer bodice and the original neckline, and one with short sleeves (I HATE elastic sleeve endings). The back has a great fit...but maybe i'll try a version with darts back there too. Fun!

 

For next time: Move the dart down a good 2 inches, and do it more precisely, like for instance on the pattern! rather than in the already-cut fabric. (sewing muslins is boring.) i don't have a smidge of extra fabric on this project (45" fabric? whatever, stingy) so I had to MAKE DO. like a 40's lady. :)

it's kiddie butt dance ready

that right boob is a little pointy, isn't it. hm.

I thought about short sleeves, but decided against em on this version. i'll put on a cardigan. :)

happy summer!