This is a free downloadable pdf pattern, designed by Claire-Louise Hardie, available from Love Sewing magazine website. The pattern is for a fairly loose fit tee shirt with an option of ¾ or full length sleeves. It has dropped shoulders and a neckband. I chose to use the pattern as a basis for a dress. The fabric required is a jersey fabric with at least 20% stretch. The link to download this pattern here.
There are no making up instructions with this pattern but it follows the usual method of sewing together for this type of tee shirt. I have given very brief instructions in the Making Up section below.
Printing and assembling the pattern. The only option for printing out is using A4 format and it takes 18 sheets for the pattern itself (see below). The sheet illustrated shows the order of assembly of the pdf. It is necessary to trim the sheets where indicated to fit the pattern together.
The test square is on sheet 1, the finished back lengths of the tee shirt on sheet 7 and the finished bust measurements on sheet 9. Seam allowances are included in the pattern.
Sizes and Alterations. This pattern comes in 8 sizes from 32" to 46" bust (pattern size 8 to 22), the pattern ease is 3 inches on all sizes. Hip size is not given as this pattern is for a top. My bust size falls between 8 and 10 and I opted for size 10 as I wanted a loose fit. There is a lengthen and shorten line on the front and back pieces and to turn this into a dress I just extended the line of the pattern straight down from here until it reached my desired length.
Making Up. This can be sewn up on an overlocker or a sewing machine with a zigzag stitch or stretch stitch capacity. I used a sewing machine. The order of construction is (briefly) - 1. Sew the shoulder seams, I added stay tape to the shoulder seams as I usually do with a stretch fabric. 2. Join the ends of the neckband and fold it in half and attach to the neck with a 1 cm seam allowance. The neckband seam sits at the centre back. and you use the quartering method to fit the neckband to the neck. If you don't know the quartering method here is a short video about it plus a tip on reducing bulk at the back seam of the neckband. 3. Attach the sleeves by the flat method and sew up the side seams. Helen's Closet has a tutorial on her blog for this method here. 4. Hem the sleeves and bottom of the garment using a twin needle or zigzag stitch.
Verdict. This was very quick and easy to make. With hindsight if I make this again (and I may well do so) I will make the size 8 as I needed to take in the side seams of the bodice and upper arms but I am rather flat chested and have no biceps to speak of. I also have no curves to my hips and extending the top straight down to create a dress worked well for me but those with more curves to the hips may want to flare the shape out a bit more. I used some jersey fabric that I got in Brighton at the Fabricland closing down sale last year and it was perfect for this, soft, light and cosy. I could certainly wear this during three of the four seasons with additions of thick tights and a cardigan when the cold demands it. I added an extra 2 inches to the long sleeve length of the pattern so I could pull the sleeves down and keep my hands a bit warmer but can push the sleeves up if I don't need this. I might make a tie belt and blouse the dress over the belt for a shorter length in the Spring but, at the moment, I want to wear it long.
And so to finish with another picture of myself being blown by the wind and trying to keep my hair out off my face - -
