This all started with the intended purchase of 1.4 metres of striped cotton jersey from The Fabric Store, Brisbane. Then they offered me the rest of the roll for half price. So I left with 3 metres instead – what’s a girl to do?
I wanted a classic long-sleeved t-shirt. Big & slouchy. I tossed up between the Tessuti Mandy Boat Tee & the Grainline Hemlock (both free). I chose the Hemlock.
Grainline Hemlock. Neck binding has been cut on the bias.
Why? The finished bust measurements of the Grainline Hemlock is 44.5 inches and the Tessuti Mandy Boat tee is 58 inches. Even though I wanted a big t-shirt, 12.5 inches of ease felt like enough – 26 inches with the Mandy Tee seemed a bit excessive with this jersey.
What can I say – this is an easy t-shirt to make. This is a one size pattern and on me it’s very loose. Some days that’s exactly what I want to wear. I’m a huge fan of loose tops paired with fitted skirts and jeans so this fits into the my casual wardrobe nicely.
Grainline Hemlock. Back view. I keep rolling up the sleeves as they are long and loose. To be honest, I push up all my sleeves!
I decided to cut the neck binding on the bias just for fun. I know, crazy times.
All seams sewn with my overlocker. Hems completed on my coverstitch. I only used my Bernina for the extra line of stitching around the neckline to hold the neck binding seam in place.
Grainline Hemlock. Stripe matching not too shabby. Sleeves down.
I’d recommend this pattern if you are after a generic t-shirt. It’s easy to put together and there is an online tutorial if you need it. Perhaps it might be a nice introduction to sewing with knits if they have been daunting.
For my second t-shirt I decided to make a draped garment where the stripes were anything but regular. I also didn’t want two shirts more or less exactly the same – the obviously choice was my favourite draped t-shirt pattern from Drape Drape 2.
Drape Drape 2, Number 4. The pattern piece has been flipped over the run the stripes downwards on the front.
Drape Drape 2, Number 4. More stripe (not) matching
I had been a little disappointed that the stripes on the front of the drunk candy cane t-shirt had been so horizontal/normal on the front, whereas the back was more visually interesting with the stripes running down and into the drape.
Red stripe and blue stripe Drape Drape 2 No.4 shirts.
So I flipped the pattern piece over, placing the drape on the other side & making the stripes on the front more of a feature. I also cut the neckline slightly higher so it wasn’t in danger of being indecent.
Drape Drape 2, Number 4. Back View
What’s the point of all this? Nothing much, it was just fun. Sometimes I just sew to explore ideas… and fortunately I end up with a wearable garment. Bonus.
Grainline Hemlock and Drape Drape2, No.4
More sewing… I’ve got another Grainline Alder (View B – #teambumruffle version – see Funkbunny if that hashtag makes no sense) and a Simplicity 1463, View A to share here soon! I’m back to work on Monday so my sporadic sewing and blogging will resume shortly!
Blogging, writing, thinking…
I like writing as much as I like sewing – but I enjoy writing about more things than sewing (shock, horror). The writing, re-writing and editing process helps me think about things more objectively and explore ideas. Sometimes I feel the urge to write about life. Or put down stories, scenes and ideas that run through my head. However that’s not going to happen here, it will be somewhere else on a private blog just for me – when the urge strikes or time permits. Selfish writing đŸ™‚
Sew Busy Lizzy 
Oh I love the second one! It’s so different and it’s awesome!
I keep a private blog just for when I need to vent, or scramble some thoughts aloud. It always makes my head feel more clear after writing, and sometimes getting it out of my system gives me a better perspective on things. I say go for it – why should anyone stop you?
I like draped t-shirts as they are loose but still quite shapely.
I think this blog got me into a pattern of writing – but I love to write about all sorts of things & I miss flexing my ‘writing muscles’ but it doesn’t belong here. I just want somewhere to tuck away my writing so I can work on it.
Oh I like how you modified the Drape Drape 2 Tee! That’s really fantastic.
It’s as simple as flipped the pattern piece over. This really is the easiest tee in the world to make!
Great change for the drape drape top – I agree that the stripes are much more interesting at an angle on the front. I forgot I have these books, I need to break them out and actually try a pattern!
The patterns, especially the draped ones, are much easier than you first think. Give them a go!
I just got Drape Drape out for the first time, intending to make no 3 drop waist gather drape dress, but found the pattern page mystifying. I could not work out which pieces related to No 3 as the labelling was very unclear. Any tips? I’m not a novice sewer. By the way, I liked your striped drape t-shirts, especially the way you did the two different versions.
The two pattern pieces you need to trace are on Pattern Sheet A. If you look at the pattern piece illustrated on page 26 you will notice that there is a line across the waist with a circle – this is where the two pieces meet. So you will be tracing “No.3 Front and Back (Bodice)’ & “No.3 Front and Back (Skirt)”. If you look around the edge of the pattern sheet you will see these words and next to them there is a fine line that goes and touches the edge of the pattern piece lines you need to trace. Determine your size and what I do next is trace around the pattern piece with my finger so I get a sense of the lines I will be following. When you trace make sure you mark the seam and slit ends and any other markings – including the half circles. Cut out your traced pieces and then stick them together at the ‘waist’ line or where the bodice meets the skirt as you can see on the pattern piece on page 26 – matching up the half circles on the pattern pieces. Does that make sense? They are strange pattern pieces and I often mark all the seam ends, slits etc with thread on the actual fabric to make sewing easier.
As usual, I’m loving all your draped garments! It’s great to see you exploring ideas and just having fun with your sewing. This is a really interesting example of how the same fabric can look so different with different patterns. Thanks for sharing!
I do love to play – it’s nice to create wearable garments but I do like to take a risk and experiment. That’s half to fun to me!
You are right, the Drape drape version is far more original with the stripes going down into the drape. Love them both.
It does work better – looks more effective with the drape – the horizontal stripes seem to minimise the drape… which isn’t the point… to me anyway!
I iove both the tees,,but the Drape Drape looks so interesting. Amazing what playing with the fabric does–it looks completely different fabric on each.
It was tempting to make another boat neck tee but I just knew I would be bored of two similar t-shirts in the drawer. And it’s more fun to play with the stripes!
Clever you getting 2 such different t shirts from the same fabric. I’m also impressed you checked the bust measurement & thought about ease when choosing which basic t. That’s the answer to one of my biggest garment sewing problems! Love them both.
I actually get put off using patterns which don’t state the finish measurements – it is always my guideline these days – not the body measurements.
Good call to have the stripes running diagonal across the front! Both these are great. I’ve used the Hemlock tee so many times, for so many types of garments. Something about it just works!
You have used the Hemlock quite a bit – it’s nice to find patterns which can be transformed into different makes.
Both look comfy but I love what you did with the Drape Drape one! I’ve just had a fabric windfall and some stripy knit inspiration was just what I needed!
I strongly recommend the Drape books – they are lots of fun for stripes and the patterns are easier than you might think – it’s just a different approach to pattern making.
Every time I see one of your draped t-shirts I get the urge to rush out and buy the book just for that pattern – it’s gorgeous.
You really should/ I’ve got three of these t-shirts and they are great. They create a flattering shape on your body – but there is lots of ease in them so they aer quite comfortable to wear.
Both are beautiful, but I adore the drape drape tops on you and those sloped stripes are just gorgeous! I know what you mean about writing, although my blog is currently extremely neglected I do have a notebook full of handwritten sewing posts as well as other essays that will never see the web. I guess I’m old school in that I still like to write by hand as a first draft – probably because my book and pens are always with me! Everything always goes through multiple edits but the original though process will be in those books…
I’d love to write and I buy books for that purpose… but my hand cannot write fast enough some days – so I save that for doodling in my little Fashionary! xo
You are so stinking cute.
thanks!
Both are lovely, but I love the Drape Drape one, so totally you and I love the stripes on the diagonal. Gorgeous!
Hope you are doing ok – *hugs*
I am a drape drape tragic. At least I’ve admitted it… but is there a cure?? I’m OK. busy busy busy, tired but I’ll get there.
Drape Drape is not tragic – it’s good to find your style, better than being a sheep!
* hugs *
Thanks lovely.
My favourite is the drape drape one with the diagonal stripes.
Both of these are at the top of my list of tops I want to make SOON! So very helpful and fun to see what you’ve done with them, and also love hearing what you’ve got to say about them, as usual. You are one of my favorite bloggers.
Thanks Janet, that made me smile this morning – and I confess I stared at the Drape pattern on the fabric for 2 nights before I cut out – sinply because I wasn’t sure how I would cope with the stripe not-matching at the seams… then I relaxed and just had fun!
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