Friday, March 9, 2012

A quick and easy tee!

Simplicity 4076 pattern cover
Crafting has been a bit on the slow side lately. Hopefully, my mojo will kick back into gear again soon (because I have a quilt I need to finish this month!). But, I do have a project to share that I stitched up last week. I made a new t-shirt using Simplicity 4076. It was truly a quick and easy project (6 seams!) and I'm absolutely thrilled with the results.

I've been eating better and exercising regularly, and in the last 6 months, I've lost 35 pounds. Yay, me! :) But now much of my wardrobe practically falls off of me. On the one hand, that is awesome. On the other, I feel dumpy all of the time because my clothes don't fit. So I've decided to start re-inventing my wardrobe a little bit at a time. I figured a simple shirt would be a good start.

Because I can't really sew any kind of top right out of the envelope, I had to take a little bit of time to do some alterations. These took longer than the actual sewing did!

my pattern alterations for S4076

In the picture above, I've tried to outline the alterations I made. I started with the size 18 of View C based on my upper bust measurement and then did a full-bust adjustment of 1.5" (using the method described in the book, Fit for Real People by Pati Palmer and Maria Alto). Because the design didn't have a side dart, and I didn't want to add one, I decided to rotate the dart that was created in the FBA over to the neckline. Since the neckline is gathered, I knew I could take up the extra fabric there pretty easily without adding any additional darts. Then I went ahead and lengthened the top by 2" (as a number of reviews I read mentioned that the top is on the short side-- and I don't like short tops!).

Here's the finished top:

S4076, side-front view
I just love the gathering at the neckline. It is a pretty design element. I used a very soft, lightweight rayon/spandex blend fabric. It feels amazing!

S4076, back view
In this back view, you can see the bell-shaped sleeves. They're fun and flirty, but also a little annoying. Next time I'll probably look for a fitted sleeve that I can use with this pattern.

S4076, another front view
Yay for a new shirt (that fits!)!



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5 comments:

  1. AndreaMarch 9, 2012 at 2:41 PM

    Robin, you look fantastic! Congrats on the weight loss. It is a great reason to need new clothes. The top is cute, and I totally agree with you on rotating the dart. I'm not a fan of darts in knits. I can see how the sleeves could get in the way, but it's a fun look!

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  2. Anne at Film and ThreadMarch 10, 2012 at 4:54 AM

    Wow, Robin . . . you look amazing! I don't know how you did it with two little boys to keep up with. I bet it is fun sewing for yourself at your new small size!

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  3. Josie McRazieMarch 10, 2012 at 7:16 AM

    #1 You look FANTASTIC!!! Congrats on the weight loss!!
    #2 Can you come to Illinois and make me some of your Tee'shirts!!!! I NEVER find store bought ones that look that great!! I LOVE them!!! and can I say your length is great I would say without that ummmmm on the short side would be an understatement! Who designs these things??
    I think you could make a KILLING if you would alter just patterns for other people like me who are clueless!!

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  4. Carrie P.March 19, 2012 at 1:48 PM

    Cute! I like the gathered neckline too.

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  5. ZonnahMarch 26, 2012 at 8:53 PM

    You must still be jogging because you are looking a bit more fit :) Oh, and the shirt is awesome!

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