Thursday, October 8, 2015

Fabric Choice Fail

I am looking for the perfect tee.
Something like this.
I picked up some navy stretchy ribbed knit for $1/m from Eliza's in Melbourne and I tried this pattern.
And after several hours fitting ended up with this.
Yuck.
I gave it to my neighbour who gave it to St Vinnies (with my blessing)
So, I tried this one which I had had success with in the past.
I have three made up in a heavy cotton/lycra.
This photo was just after my parathyroid surgery and I was a solid 10kg heavier but still.
Double yuck.
This fabric grew upon handling.
Those bulges are not me! 
I am sucking everything in, that is the fabric.
I spent so long fitting this tee, I trimmed the shoulders, fitted the side seam over and over.
Big. Fat. Fail.
Possibly why it was marked down to $1?
This one has gone to my neighbour too, I think she kept it to sleep in.

 So, my fellow sewing friends, please help me find a tee pattern.

 I promise to try it in decent fabric.

 xx N
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37 comments:

  1. KateOctober 8, 2015 at 8:44 PM

    I have used the free Briar pattern, it has a great neckline, I just altered the sides because they are quite loose. There is a great womens Ottobre pattern (not in the magazine, it was seperate and I have no idea where I got mine) which looks really similar to the new Grainline Lark Tee.

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  2. motherof5October 8, 2015 at 9:41 PM

    Briar and Grainline Lark, check, thank you Kate!
    xx N

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  3. Siobhan (Chronically Siobhan)October 8, 2015 at 9:52 PM

    I've tried and tested a few tee patterns. The best-fitting was definitely the pattern from Ottobre Woman Spring/Summer 2/2007. Had endless variations and fit really well. Best of luck in your pattern finding journey!

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    Replies
    1. motherof5October 17, 2015 at 6:38 PM

      Thank you Siobain, awesome, Ottobre on the search list.
      xx N

      Delete
  4. KirstyOctober 8, 2015 at 9:56 PM

    Not the same style but comfy is the the One Hour Top by Fancy Tiger Crafts - suits my post 5 children tummy.

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  5. colesworthOctober 8, 2015 at 10:05 PM

    have you tried the free plaintain from deer and doe?

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    1. motherof5October 17, 2015 at 6:39 PM

      No Colette, I have it printed too. I think I may have to FBA it.
      Thank you!
      xx N

      Delete
    2. g.c.January 15, 2019 at 9:30 AM

      FWIW, my friend who wears an I cup bra, and for whom I have tried no fewer than 3 other tee patterns (with built in cup sizing!) finally found the perfect fit when she happened to try on one of my plantains! I measure into a larger size than I make (I think I sized down 2), and it is my FAVORITE. I have a drawerfull and plans for more.
      --gwyn (www.clevercolleen.me)

      Delete
    3. motherof5January 15, 2019 at 3:11 PM

      Thank you Qwyn, how serendipitous, I did try the Plantain and I love it although I have to watch the fit on my bicep.
      Thank you xx N

      Delete
  6. PepperTreeRoadOctober 9, 2015 at 3:38 AM

    Sewaholic Renfrew? http://www.sewaholicpatterns.com/renfrew-top/

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  7. RenaeOctober 9, 2015 at 4:39 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. RenaeOctober 10, 2015 at 3:01 PM

      Doh. Just tried to add to my last comment & managed to delete it. Summary - the Renfrew was a good sew for me but I used a quality knit fabric which made for easy sewing. keen to try Grainline as well.

      Delete
    2. motherof5October 17, 2015 at 6:41 PM

      Renfrew and Grain-line, excellent.
      I will skip the craptastic fabric too.
      Thanks Renae.
      xx N

      Delete
  8. Lightning McStitchOctober 9, 2015 at 6:11 AM

    For a freebie, try the Skinny Bitch Curvy Chick Tonic 2.
    Otherwise I have to say the Liesl & co Metro tee is a winner for me.
    That's some crazy stretching out at the neckline. It's a kind of ribbed knit yeah? Sometimes really cheap knits just aren't worth the bother.

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    Replies
    1. motherof5October 18, 2015 at 3:20 PM

      Awesome, Tonic tee and Metro.
      It was a rib knit. I have a Country Road top I was hoping to copy but that knit has great recovery. This didn't.
      xx N

      Delete
  9. CamilleOctober 9, 2015 at 6:33 AM

    I use New Look 6230. I love it.

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  10. MashaOctober 9, 2015 at 7:20 AM

    I love the Plantain - it is nicely fitted through the bust but has a little give in the waist and tummy area. I have also made the Renfrew - as it is drafted for a pear shape (which I am not), I needed to do quite a bit of fitting for that one, so it may not be what you are after. What a shame about that fabric!

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    1. motherof5October 20, 2015 at 6:31 PM

      The Plaintain is sounding good Masha. I definitely need some tummy room.
      I will check out the Renfew although I am more banana then pear ;)
      xx N

      Delete
  11. brittneyOctober 9, 2015 at 7:46 AM

    I have had great luck with the Hey June Union St. Tee. I tried the Metro, but it was too tight for my tastes, but you and your hot body could rock it.

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    1. motherof5October 20, 2015 at 6:34 PM

      You are sweet, hot body (snort) I love your Union Street tee, *adds another to the list*.
      Thanks Britters.
      xx N

      Delete
  12. JaneOctober 10, 2015 at 1:24 AM

    Yeah if it looks that crap on a dressform, it deserves binning! Cut it up for cleaning rags? :D I've had good success with the Plantain, but the sleeve is not as narrow-cut as your inspiration picture. The Grainline Lark looks to be pretty close to that sort of fit. It was released literally a day after we placed our last Grainline order so we don't have it yet! Probably a tolerable one to download and print out. Sorry to hear you had to have surgery. I hope you're feeling better.

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    1. motherof5October 20, 2015 at 6:47 PM

      Thanks Jane, I will wait and pick up the paper copy from your shop.
      xx N

      Delete
  13. UnknownOctober 10, 2015 at 6:25 AM

    I jumped down to the comment section to suggest the Grainline Lark tee and notice many have already recommended it. I haven't tried it yet but it looks similar to what you are after and she's got a great track record with all her previous patterns.

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  14. colesworthOctober 10, 2015 at 10:24 PM

    Vesta patterns Grail tee looks interesting and cute, not sure where we can get it in oz though

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    1. motherof5October 29, 2015 at 6:18 PM

      Vesta, on the list too. I shall have a Google Colette.
      xx N

      Delete
  15. rachelmpOctober 11, 2015 at 3:37 PM

    I use the Ottobre Womens best tops 303, which has a great scoop neckline along with other variations. If you would consider a raglan, McCall M6992 is a winner

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    Replies
    1. motherof5October 29, 2015 at 6:19 PM

      Thank you Rachel, I quite like raglan tee's, awesome!
      xx N

      Delete
  16. rachelmpOctober 11, 2015 at 3:37 PM

    I use the Ottobre Womens best tops 303, which has a great scoop neckline along with other variations. If you would consider a raglan, McCall M6992 is a winner

    ReplyDelete
  17. Kristin at SunnySewing.comOctober 12, 2015 at 4:03 PM

    I love the renfrew top for my t-shirts, but I also had loads of success with the Plantain and it's free! I like that it has built in hip room. :) http://boutique.deer-and-doe.fr/29-tops-plantain-t-shirt.html

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    Replies
    1. motherof5October 29, 2015 at 6:20 PM

      Thank you Kristin, you always make such nice tee's.
      xx N

      Delete
  18. Inder-ificOctober 13, 2015 at 4:24 PM

    I love the Plantain tee, and best of all, it's FREE! I also really love the Hemlock, but that is a pretty different shape. The Plantain has a really nice scoop neck for a larger bust (and you can pull it down to breastfeed, ask me how I know!) and then it skims at the waist. Totally agree you get what you pay for with knits.

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    Replies
    1. motherof5October 29, 2015 at 6:21 PM

      If you can feed in it that bumps the Plaintain right up my list!
      Thank you Inder.
      xx N

      Delete

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