After sitting on the cutting table for a couple of weeks, taunting me while I dithered and dallied with various other interruptions and distractions, the pattern for the Chico’s tee finally got hold of my attention. And lo and behold, there is a finished object to show for my efforts. Even more amazing, the actual tee is actually everything I had dreamed and imagined it might be. Now THAT is an accomplishment, even with a simple tee.
As I started laying the pattern out on the fabric Wednesday night after dinner I was having serious doubts. I hadn’t really thought about whether the pattern was suited the fabric or any of that, I just saw this fabric and immediately imagined this garment in my mind.
As I pinned the pattern to the fabric, being very careful to line up my grain lines and my pattern, I realized that here I was working with a very distinct geometric pattern with very clearly delineated straight lines, but the pattern didn’t have a straight line anywhere. The v-neckline has a curve to it. There are no shoulder seams and the back yoke seams are curved. The side seam is curved. The bottom hem is curved.
I wondered if I was setting myself up for disaster.
Yet it all worked out. I can see the hem curves down from the side seams to the center front and back up again, but it looks balanced against the print.
Because of the way the front piece wraps around to the back, the back shoulder is on the bias. I didn’t even try to align this with the back seam, which is also slightly curved, adding a tiny bit of shaping at the upper back. But it turned out nicely. I like the play of th angles in the pattern. I also think the flow of the lines in and out around my curves makes it look like I actually have a waist.
The original piece was cut with a double layer of fabric in the front and a single layer in back. As I was working with the garment, I realized that my fabric is somewhat thinner than the original, and the back was actually just a tad to thin so I cut a double layer in back as well.
Then I had to decide if this would change the way I would construct the garment. My natural inclination would be to hide all the seams between the layers, but I noticed that only the neckline seams were sewn this way. In all the other seams the fabric was treated as if it was one layer, and the layers were folded under as one and cover stitched to make hems at the armhole opening and hem. I realized that this was not only easier, it also provided more stability.
I got everything assembled but the hems on Wednesday. Thursday I wanted to do the cover-stitching. I was a little apprehensive because I hadn’t really used the cover-stitch feature since I had tested it out shortly after purchasing the machine.
I needn’t have worried. It actually took me longer to read the instructions for setting up the cover-stitch than it took me to thread the machine and convert it to cover-stitch. And my sample runs went pretty well too. I had a little bit of trouble at the that shoulder seam, where I was actually stitching over 6 layers of fabric, but it turned out well, and I think it looks pretty good for my first cover-stitched garment.
I was also unnecessarily concerned about the hem. I was afraid that, since I would have to sew from the top, that I would not catch the edge of the hem in my stitching. But it was easy to the feel the edge of the hem underneath the fabric and line the serger needles up with the fabric edge.
The top is not perfect. There are a few glitches, but I am very happy with this. It is exactly what I imagined it would be.
Comments
22 responses to “Geometric V-neck shell”
It looks wonderful, and I adore the fabric. I’m giggling over the necklace placement, but I do think it could be a very workable piece!
It looks wonderful, and I adore the fabric. I’m giggling over the necklace placement, but I do think it could be a very workable piece!
Very cute! I love that print!
Very cute! I love that print!
I love this knit top. I have this same fabric and have yet decided what pattern I want to use with it. This truly looks great and design works well with curves.
I love this knit top. I have this same fabric and have yet decided what pattern I want to use with it. This truly looks great and design works well with curves.
I absolutely love this top and love how you combined it with a sharp white blouse too.
I absolutely love this top and love how you combined it with a sharp white blouse too.
What a neat piece!! In my experience, making something exactly as one imagines is a BIG accomplishment, indeed !
What a neat piece!! In my experience, making something exactly as one imagines is a BIG accomplishment, indeed !
That amazing piece of fabric makes an ordinary garment extraordinary! Loves it!
That amazing piece of fabric makes an ordinary garment extraordinary! Loves it!
This is a wonderful tee and I really like the white blouse and necklace. Beautiful work.
This is a wonderful tee and I really like the white blouse and necklace. Beautiful work.
Love the print. It really took the top to a higher level!
Love the print. It really took the top to a higher level!
I love this Tee pattern. What pattern is it? The shoulder detail is great and something I would like to try.
I love this Tee pattern. What pattern is it? The shoulder detail is great and something I would like to try.
I’m new to the sewing realm and just wanted to say your Tee is awesome. The geometric design is great. May I ask where did you get the fabric & pattern.
I’m new to the sewing realm and just wanted to say your Tee is awesome. The geometric design is great. May I ask where did you get the fabric & pattern.
I would also love to know what pattern this is. It is very nice.
I would also love to know what pattern this is. It is very nice.