At this time of the year I always feel the need to fill my wardrobe with t-shirts. Cheap, light-weight cotton RTW ones are fine but it is nice to have something that looks not quite so casual and, more importantly, fits just right. So this is what I made
The pattern I used is Burda 7645. I wanted loose fitting but with some shape and, although I wasn't particularly in love with the picture on the envelope, this fitted the bill.
I made View A but shorter (the one on the left). What's interesting about this t-shirt pattern is that it has bust darts. It turns out that for my kind of shape (curvy), that works well. Another thing I like about this pattern is that Burda give sensible instructions for knit fabrics (something that the big four don't seem to do so well). It's very fast and easy to make. Sew bust darts, shoulder seams, apply neck and sleeve bindings, sew side seams, hem. You're done!
I thought this style worked well for this particular fabric - the simplicity of it shows off the print nicely. It's 100% rayon jersey and is designed by Anna Sui. It has a really cute print of birdcages and flowers in squares. I bought it from Vogue Fabrics, who describe it as "a playful mosaic to delight ornithologists and horticulturalists alike". Here's a closer look at it
I am definitely going to be making this pattern again.
Oh, but wait ....... I already have!
Version two is made from some fabric that I bought at Mood in New York - I think it's a rayon/lycra mix. I just love big splashy colourful flower prints. I have some more of this fabric so look out for a dress that I am planning for it!
Oooh and something exciting - President and Mrs Obama are due to arrive here in London tomorrow. I am eagerly looking forward to watching the news coverage so that I can check out all Michelle's outfits. I love that lady's style!
indigo mestre shirt
22 hours ago
Both are nice, I especially like the floral print. And all coordinating nicely with your purple jeans! You are on a roll! I am also looking forward to the Obama visit. Michelle is the most stylish/attractive first lady we have had since Jackie Kennedy. To be fair, I think the first ladies of the previous 40 years have all been significantly older. Still you can't take away the fact that the first lady is fit, strong, and pulled together. A great roll model I'd say.
ReplyDeleteI really like these. I was just looking for some easy fast top patterns to make up for summer.
ReplyDeleteI love Michelle Obama too I get far to exited about what she's wearing and how.
How do you get on ordering from American Sites like Vogue and Mood? Do you find the shipping costs really high? I'm currently thinking about buying from the US.
Your T-shirts turned out really well and look much nicer than the photos on the Burda pattern envelope. I love the fabrics you have used and both match your purple jeans perfectly
ReplyDeletehey, that is a really cute tshirt pattern. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteGreat T-shirts. Oh yes, I'll be watching the President's Wife!
ReplyDeleteYou look great in both versions of this t-shirt. I agree that some of us must have those bust darts!
ReplyDeleteBoth t-shrirts look great. I like the bust darts. They do give some shape. Lovely work Eugenia!
ReplyDeleteLooks great. I love a t-shirt with a nice fit. And love your fabric choices.
ReplyDeleteI love them both , they match perfectly with your purple jeans .
ReplyDeleteOoh! Envy! You have that Anna Sui fabric I kept coveting but never bought. Great tshirt pattern and both look perfect with your new purple jeans. I like the idea of bust darts too, the fit is so much better and neater.
ReplyDeleteLove that both of these tops match your purple jeans!
ReplyDeleteI really like your t shirts and they look great with your purple jeans, which are a very nice fit by the way.
ReplyDeleteWow...a tshirt pattern with bust darts! I'll be checking that pattern out. I love both your shirts.
ReplyDeleteI love the flowery fabric, and they both match your purple jeans as well. wow. I love Michelle O. I will definitely be tunning in to see what she wears. I love her style.
ReplyDeleteAnd of course, they go beautifully with those famous purple jeans! (Wait, loads of people said that already didn't they?! Pah!)
ReplyDeletePx
Very nice Eugenia! Your tops should be on the pattern envelope instead of those others. Then I would want to make it!
ReplyDeleteLove the T-shirts! Will definitely add this pattern to my wish list for the next sale. I was wondering in the event you have a light knit that you are working with would line it by cutting 2 fronts & 2 backs to prevent it from being to sheer? I have a very light yellow that I want to work with but am afraid since it seems very sheer to wear. Rosalia
ReplyDeleteSo much better than anything you could find in a store, and would you have even been able to match those adorable jeans w/o sewing your own?
ReplyDeleteWell done! You should see all the colorful knit prints Mood just got in stock.
ReplyDeleteGreat Tees. I love a great tee.
ReplyDeleteVery Nice! Love them with purple jeans, too!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty tshirts, they look fantastic with your purple jeans.
ReplyDeleteWhat you didn't look to our Prime Minister Julia Gillard for style inspiration (of the what not to wear variety perhaps?)! Great tunics. The floral print is brave. Fabulous with the purple jeans.
ReplyDeleteBoth look great on you! I love the prints.
ReplyDeleteBoth of these are really nice and they work so well with you purple jeans. I especially like the large floral print. It's something I would normally shy away from but I think I will try it becuase yours looks so good.
ReplyDeleteMy, my, my Eugenia...these are some really cute tees! I noticed they both match those great purple jeans you made nicely too...I'm sure that was intentional!! :)
ReplyDeleteI too absolutely adore Michelle Obama's style. I agree with Karen, she is a great role model!
Lovely tops Eugenia! I really need to get on the bandwagon and get some tops made!
ReplyDeleteIf you are curvy finding great t shirts that fit is not so easy but making them certainly is and these look great. I always add darts to t shirt if they don't have them. My last two t's had small bust darts in the armhole that worked really well too.
ReplyDeleteI love these tops on you -- they are fantastic! There is a dress with close to that floral print at Anthropologie that I love! It's called the Frida Maxi dress. But guess what? I love your floral top more! Congratulations on more resounding success!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much to everyone for your nice comments - these t-shirts are definitely very useful additions to my wardrobe.
ReplyDeleteHi Stevie. To answer your question about buying from the USA - I do buy fabric from Gorgeous Fabrics and Vogue Fabrics regularly and have also purchased from Emma One Sock (I bought the fabric from Mood not online but when I was in New York). The shipping charges are, as you would expect, quite a bit higher than when buying in the UK. The cost depends on the weight and volume of the fabric you are ordering. However, the sites that I use regularly give you the cost of the shipping before you confirm and check out so you can decide at that point if you are happy with the charge. Note that you also, usually, have to pay VAT and handling charges on delivery here in the UK, depending on the value of the goods. I have always been very happy with the quality of all the fabrics I have purchased and love the choice the US sites offer.
To sapphire - yes you could certainly line a sheer knit with this pattern if you wanted to, you could bind the outer fabric and lining together with the neck and sleeve bindings.
This looks like it may be a good pattern for a beginner. And since I am always needing t-shirts, I have to try it.
ReplyDeleteThe shirts look so awesome. The floral one is perfect for the summer.
VERY cute tops. I have been following the Mrs.O blog so I can see her clothes. She has certainly brought some nice outfits! I just love watching what she wears. Enjoy!!
ReplyDeleteThese are super cute. Far better than the regular cotton t-shirts.
ReplyDeleteI just adore the floral print. So perfect for summer!
ReplyDeleteOoooh, Eugenia, I love the floral one. Might have to copy you again (as with the DKNY smocky/floppy neck dress - which btw I saw a Channel 4 newsreader wearing the other evening.)
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