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

37 comments:

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

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

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  4. 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. have you tried the free plaintain from deer and doe?

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

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    2. 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)

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    3. 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

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

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  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. 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.

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

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  8. 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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    1. 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

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  9. I use New Look 6230. I love it.

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  10. 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. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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  16. 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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  17. 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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    1. Thank you Kristin, you always make such nice tee's.
      xx N

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

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