Friday, October 08, 2010

mime wear



My first attempt at using the t-shirt pattern from Wendy Mullin's Sew U Home Stretch was a failure, but finding this striped jersey was enough to inspire another try. The jersey came from Nature's Fabrics and it seemed perfect for the boatneck variation of the pattern. I made a few adjustments - the pattern called for the sleeves to be wide and there was zero waist shaping. In the end I kept the 3/4 length sleeves but made them more fitted and I took the sides in quite a bit high up in the waist to make the shirt more snug around the chest. So with a huge thanks to Wendy's book I now have a wearable shirt. I love it, even if Jay calls me a mime every time I wear it.


There's just something about the boatneck style - isn't is flattering on all body types? Am I making that up? I have a shirt from almost a decade ago, back when the fashion world thought revealing glimpses of your belly was a good idea. Being a beloved boatneck, I've held on to it thinking I would alter it someday. So today was the day. First, the before (note the ridiculous shortness of it) followed by a happy after thanks to some remaining striped jersey:




Thank goodness I can make my own knit shirts now because if fashion swings back to short lengths I am going to be way too old and conservative to show off my had-2-children-and-a-gallbladder-surgery bellybutton.


Two shirts, striped jersey completely gone. Now I just need to start working on my mime act.


(P.S. Check out the Built by Wendy collections - so many awesome designs!)

10 comments :

lamb-things said... [Reply to comment]

Samantha. I love the stripes on you and the striped band looks good.

zofia said... [Reply to comment]

great idea on the band-looks fab!
I have that book. Really must try a top, her writing style is very easy to understand. I think your alteration is perfect and the stripes look great.
What next? :)

Trula said... [Reply to comment]

great shirts. I have the feeling those won't be the last ones ;)

PRAHALAD said... [Reply to comment]
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PRAHALAD said... [Reply to comment]
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t does wool said... [Reply to comment]

love,love that band...they all look great!

Maytina said... [Reply to comment]

They look great! Stripes work on you, and mimes are rad! I've never tried to sew a t-shirt but now I must.

Unknown said... [Reply to comment]

just wanted to let you know that something lovely happened to me today…I found your blog…delightful

Ali said... [Reply to comment]

I'm making this variation right now, great to see your version! This type of top is classic, it'll serve you well :)

Millie said... [Reply to comment]

I love your top. I am just making it but the neck just rolls forward, what have I done wrong?