This is my first make since Me Made May - a
MariaDenmark Kirsten kimono t-shirt. I often name my makes after whatever I've been listening to most when cutting it out/sewing it up, however this make came together so quickly, quite late on on a Sunday night that I don't think I even had the radio on so I'm afraid there's no fancy name. Can I just say how great this pattern is! I was a bit worried at first as it doesn't include seam allowances but I'd read a few reviews where folk had said they didn't bother to add a seam allowance and it worked out. This sounded good to me so I just went with it, cut out a size small and it worked out fine. Well, as you can see from my smug face below I think it worked out more than fine, I'm really happy with it!
I should have taken a better photo from the side but you can kind of see
I've made a not-bad job of matching up the stripes at the side - not
perfect but almost there. I love this stripey fabric, it feels really good quality and, unlike my
jersey Banksia, the stripes aren't just painted on. The fit under the arms is perfect, an area I'm realising I have problems with, and the length is pretty spot on. Niggles? My neckband - I don't think I really understood the instructions properly for this stage and am not sure I attached it properly, plus I've managed to stretch it out a bit when sewing it on, as you can see below. However I do like the effect of the stripes going in the opposite direction.
I quite like when other bloggers break down the cost of the make, any problems/issues, etc so I think I'll try and do that more regularly.
Pattern:
Maria Denmark Kirsten kimono t-shirt - Free!!
Fabric: striped jersey from John Lewis, £14 a metre. Only 1 metre needed (still have a wee bit left over)
Notions: I already had white thread, a twin needle and a jersey needle so I didn't need anything extra for this, except the greaseproof paper I used to trace off the pattern.
Problems/Issues: Does anyone have any tips for keeping the neckline steady and stopping it from stretching out? I was also being very lazy to begin with and left my pins in when sewing the should seams - you can see what happened in the photo below, it's resulted in slipped stitches with the zigzag stitch. Nothing major though and apart from that and the neckband no problems at all. The instructions are very clear and I had no problems printing this PDF off to scale.
Total cost: £14
Will I make this again: For sure! I'd also like to try extending this and making a kimono style dress as I think it would be so comfy for work. I might try and branch out from stripes though as I have so many stripey clothes! However stripes are always so tempting, especially
Lula Louise's great idea for making a striped cap sleeve dress, I think this tee shirt pattern would be the perfect base for that.
This also counts as part of
Indie Pattern Month
Love this - it's a great colour!
ReplyDeleteYou probably saw that I wore this tee a couple of times during Me Made May. I also had trouble with the instructions for the binding at the neckline, which makes it look a bit strange - think that might be the reason I don't really like mine too much.
A tee version would look great (especially in stripes...) :)
I have to say I think the neckline on yours look fine - maybe we're both being too hard on ourselves!
DeleteI just downloaded this pattern but have yet to try it out. I read through the neckline instructions, and that is how I usually do mine too- I would say that maybe you just need to cut the ribbing to a shorter length, sometimes it needs to be quite a bit shorter than the neckline measurement depending on how stretchy your fabric is. My sort of rule of thumb is to cut it 10-15 % shorter, but if it's really stretchy I'll take off another inch or two. All that being said, I don't think yours looks bad at all, and sometimes they shrink back up into a better shape after a trip through the washer and dryer. It's a really cute shirt and I also much prefer the woven stripes as opposed to the painted on ones
ReplyDeleteaah thanks for that tip. I'll be making this pattern again so I'll try cutting the ribbing shorter next time. I also haven't washed it yet so hopefully that will improve the shape. It was your comment on woven stripes in your stash post that made me realise the difference in quality between the two striped jersey's I had!
DeleteMy book on overlocking says to cut your neckband 30% shorter than the neck hole, attach with four pins at regular intervals, then stretch the band as you stitch to make it fit the neck hole. If you hold the band on top as you sew it's quite easy to do. I've used this technique with an overlocker and it works well but I think you should be able to manage it with a regular machine. A good steam press always helps too!
ReplyDeleteI thought I'd remembered you saying to cut the neckband shorter when I was makng the tunic at yours but decided just to follow the instructions with the pattern, should have remembered your instructions instead! My iron doesn't do steam anymore so I really need to invest in a new one.
DeleteIt looks great and I really like the relaxed fit you've achieved. Striped tops are so useful to have in the wardrobe :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Carolyn. I'm glad I didn't add the seam allowance as it fits prety perfect as is. Yes, I agree - you can never really have to many stripey tops!
DeleteOh damn! Now I need to get this pattern as well. I love this version of yours in pink stripes. (great fabric!!). A kimono dress will be so cool!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kirsty! If you don't have a kimono t-shirt pattern I'd definitely recommend this one - only 2 main pieces, plus neck binding so really quick to stick the pattern together and to sew up.
DeleteThis is lovely! I have just made one and did the neckband twice before I gave up. I thought I would damage the fabric if I tried again so I just turned the jersey over a couple of times and stitched. I really like the dress that you liked to as well!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tamsin! I didn't think of just turning it over and stitching - that's another good solution. I've definitely got the jersey sewing bug now and will be making up a few more t-shirts and dresses for the summer.
DeleteGood skills with the stripes :) I've seen a few versions of this top that I like - I do not need any more patterns though! Looking forward to seeing how you make the dress, I think it's a great idea, would be a really useful piece to have in your wardrobe :)
ReplyDeleteNot that I'm trying to tempt you or anything but it is a free pattern! I'm hoping I've got enough bits of scrap jersey to make up a trial run dress this weekend so I'll iipost about it if I get it done.
DeleteGreat shirt! I really like the neckline with the stripes in the other direction.. Must be super comfy to wear :)
ReplyDeleteit is really comfy! I've seen quite a few sewing bloggers making striped t-shirts recently with the neck band straps in the opposite direction so I decided to copy it, wish I could remember where i'd seen it first though.
DeleteLovely top! Good work with the stripes! I discovered during Me-Made-May that I need to make some more practical clothing and I think this might be the perfect pattern!
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to say thank you for your lovely comments on my blog and let you know that I've nominated you for the Liebster Blog Award! http://chainstitcher.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/thank-you.html
Hi Fiona! Thanks, and thanks for the Liebster award! Sorry, I'm a bit behind on blogging this week but I will respond properly, hopefully over the weekend.
DeleteOoh this is good! I like the idea of a dress version. You've got some really helpful comments too, I must remember the tips when I have a go at this!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yes, I'll be trying it again with a shorter neckband piece next time, and stretching it as I sew. It's so wonderful how the sewing community really helps each other out like this!
DeletePerhaps you could use some fusible bias stay tape to stop the neckline stretching out? I have just bought some as I am enrolled on the Craftsy Course "Sewing with Knits" and she said to get some. See more about using it here http://3hourspast.com/2012/10/01/the-tiramisu-circus-guide-to-stabilizing-knit-fabrics/ and here http://www.afashionablestitch.com/2012/shop_talk/on-the-merits-of-stay-tape/
ReplyDeleteSorry, you posted this comment just a few days before I gave birth so I totally missed it! Thanks for the tip. I've heard of fusible bias tape before but had forgotten about it, I'll Need to give it a try.
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