Me Made May Day #1

Happy May!  And Happy MMM Day #1.  I don't plan on daily posts, but will lump the days together to keep the boredom to a minimum.  Today however, we will start out on the right foot!

Outfit #1:  Vogue 8536 Tee shirt worn during my morning exercise:

Original Blog Post Here

#2: New Look 6110 worn out doing errands and post-Birthday Lunch at 5 Guys:

Original Post Here

There we have it, let the Me Made Month Begin!!

Vogue 8536: Snuggly Blue Mock-Wrap Tee

Since returning from India, I have taken advantage of online fabric shopping, and my inbox is regularly inundated by emails broadcasting sales from Fabric.com, FabricMart, and Denver Fabrics.  Since my local Joann's knit fabric selections are unimpressive at best, I am always pulled to browse the sites when they have knits on sale.  I bought this blue recycled polyester knit from Fabric.com and when it arrived, I was a little disappointed.  It wasn't what I had pictured and was a lot heavier than I thought it would be.  There is a waffle-like knit pattern on the front and the inside was fuzzy.  While it wasn't what I expected, I figured I could use it for something.  

Saturday mornings this past October were spent at the soccer field, and my tropically-thinned blood really needed some warm tops.  I thought of this blue fabric and then thought of Vogue 8536.  If I made the mock wrap version, the front would have a double layer of snugly fabric to warm my chilly bones.    

It came out great, and was even easier than the V neck versions I made a while ago since there was no fussy V to create.  :)

I made a size 16, with the long sleeves.  Once it was stitched it I didn't even bother to hem the bottom.  I just serged all the way around and left it long.  I wonder if I have a long torso since I never seem to hem these Vogue tops with anything larger than a minimal 'turn and stitch'.  A long torso and short legs...sigh.

This top turned out to be a happy use for a questionable fabric.  :)

Vogue 8536: Tee Shirts!!

So I bought my serger, learned how to thread it, can play with the tension knobs, and now I have sewn knits with it!!  In fact, I've made 2 Tee shirts already!  Woo hoo!

I started with Vogue 8536, a basic tee shirt pattern, and made a short sleeve, V neck version.

I'm wearing a racerback sports bra...the neckline really isn't too wide

Apologies for the odd expression on my face

I cut a size 16 for both, although now looking at the photos, I think I should narrow the shoulders down to a size 14 since the seams are just slightly off of my shoulders (more so in the blue version).  I used my serger for everything except the hemming and topstiching the neckline.  I love my serger!!

Here's the pattern review:

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing it?  Yes.

Were the instructions easy to follow?  Yes, although I had a little trouble deciphering the instructions for inserting the V neckband.  I decided to ignore the instructions, think about it a bit, and then plow on ahead.  The neckline on the pink one came out better (beginner's luck I think).  Then I topstitched it down so that it would look more RTW and not roll outwards.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?  I liked the neckline and sleeve variations as well as the gathering at the side seams at the bust line to accommodate fullness.  I was a little confused about the instructions for inserting the V-shape neckband, but it worked out in the end. 

Fabric Used:  Modal Blend Jersey knit from Fabric.com

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:  I didn't add the side slits nor did I fold up the hem as much as the pattern suggested, instead I only turned up about 5/8".  I prefer to have longer shirts to wear at the gym. I also used clear elastic to stabilize the shoulder seams instead of seam binding.

Would you sew it again?  Would you recommend it to others?  Yes, absolutely, I will be making some long sleeve versions for this winter!

Conclusion:  A great basic T pattern.