Thursday, August 20, 2015

Slouchy Tees

I made a few slouchy tee shirts using Very Easy Vogue 8984.  And I will venture to say that it probably has one of the least enticing cover illustrations ever.  Honestly, I am not even sure why I own this pattern.  I think I bought it a while back for some sort of franken-pattern project.  Sometimes I buy a pattern just for the sleeves or neckline or something.  Anyway, I think we can all agree that the cover is pretty bad.



I made up the grey polka dot version first.  Actually, I made it back in May and wasn't in love with it at first.  But I ended up wearing it so often that it grew on me.  I used a soft bamboo knit with printed dots that I love.  It's nice stuff.   I made the greige version next, lengthening the pattern almost six inches and adding side splits.  It's also a bamboo knit.  The striped version was made by recycling a skirt I made recently and never wore.  I made that knit skirt in the spring and thought I'd wear it a lot when it got warm.  But the length was weird and I never got over the mismatched stripes.  So I cut the front and sleeves of this tee from it.  I didn't have enough to cut the back without a seam and no stripe matching.  So I made the back in a solid black.  Again, all bamboo knits.  Sensing a theme?  I bought a bunch a while back and I don't know if I can ever go back to buying cheap knits.  I bought all of these lengths from fabric.com and they are great.  Stretchy and beefy with nice drape.  My only complaint is that they are a little heavy.  I can see how a light weight rayon knit might be more appropriate in some circumstances.  I'll be curious to see how all my tees wear over time, though.



Pattern Description: Vogue 8984.  Semi fitted pullover top has dropped shoulders and narrow hem.  There is a longer sleeve option and a cropped hem option.  


Pattern Sizing:  I cut a 12.  I went down a size from my usual 14.

Fabric Used:  All bamboo knits from fabric.com.


Alterations/Deviations: The grey version I made first is view B, the shorter sleeve and longer length plus one inch.  This tee is short.  I would call it cropped but I do have a longer torso.  The greige version is view B plus 6 inches added to length with side splits.  The black and white striped version is view B length as is.  I would have made it longer but the pattern pieces just fit on the piece of fabric I recycled.  I did the necklines on all three shirts differently.  The first grey version was done as the pattern instructed- folding under and stitching.  I really dislike that finish but I did it anyway.  I sandwiched some steam-a-seam in before I stitched.  That is the first time I've used it on a neckline.  I also used steam-a-seam on the hem of the grey version.  I do not like the way the steam-a-seam made the hems and neckline kind of... crunchy, I guess.  I didn't use any sort of stabilizer on the other versions and my hems are just fine.  I guess these bamboo knits are beefy enough that they don't really need it.  I did a neck band on the greige version, which turned out decent.  It's a little wavy.  And on the black and white version, I made a binding that I flipped to the inside and stitched like a bias facing.  I think that finish worked the best.


Likes/Dislikes:  I love a good, slouchy tee and this pattern fit the bill.  But yes, it is a strange pattern.  I like the depth and width of the neckline, too.  And the dropped shoulder is kind of trendy right now. But a flattering tee, this is not.  All three will get lots of wear.

I actually made one more version in solid black and cropped it super short to wear with skirts that sit at my natural waist.  A little longer at the back.  And I really dislike it for some reason.  Especially after taking some photos of it with different things.  I'm only including a photo for informational purposes.  Something about the proportions are way off and I really don't like the way it looks.  I'm going to hang on to it for now.  Maybe I'll try shortening the sleeves to see if that helps.  And I'll blog about those culottes (with the mismatched stripe) one day!  I love them and wear them all the time.


Conclusion:  Phew!  I sure did just write a lot about this simple, little pattern.  I intended this to be a fast and furious blog post.  It was an easy, quick sew.  Almost all straight seams.  I recommend the pattern if this is a style you are looking for.  Look past that terrible cover art!

22 comments:

  1. Mmm, bamboo! It's so nice! (Have you ever tried a hemp knit or a silk knit? I never have, but I feel like I could be friends with them if I tried!) I'm glad you saw past that horrible cover, because your tops turned out so nicely! I've been thinking about what makes the perfect casual tee, and I can't quite nail what I'm looking for... but these are right up your alley. I agree that shortening the sleeves on the black one might make for better proportions. Keep us posted!

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    1. I almost ordered some hemp knit a while ago... But fear of the unknown, I guess! I'd love to make some more traditional casual tees. You know, fitted but easy. Let me know if you figure it out!

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  2. I also often buy patterns for a sleeve or a neckline or something. Glad I'm not the only one!

    I don't think I could have seen past the terrible illustration! It's pretty bad. But the actual sewn garments looks fantastic. I really like the black one! Interesting. But maybe it's just a personal preference and/or one of those things where it looks different in motion. I do think shorter sleeves would improve the proportions, though.

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    1. Yep, think I'm going to shorten the sleeves the next time I have black thread on the serger. Thanks!!

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  3. Haha! I have so many patterns where the cover art is like "whaaaa??", but that I liked anyway. And I can't even use the excuse of "I went by the line drawing", because honestly, I can't ever tell jack squat from those things. :-P I do like your tees though, very cute and comfy looking.

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  4. Well I thought that your first three shots would be much better cover art!! It's great to find a tshirt pattern you love - This does look very easy to wear and stylish. I've done the same kind of thing as you- try a new tshirt pattern and then get an itch to try a few times more because it's turned out well and is a wardrobe workhorse- and of course they are so quick to make. It's good seeing your progression!

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  5. That cover art?!!! Well done for seeing past that! I love all 3 of these versions & I agree that the facing finish on the stripey neckline looks the best, really nice & clean. I'll need to give that a try, and some bamboo knit!

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  6. That has to be one of the most uninspiring pattern illustrations ever! Your versions are far nicer, the black and white stripe one in particular. I love the plain black back, it definitely looks intentional rather than "oops I ran out of fabric"!

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    1. Thanks! I was hoping it would look like a 'design feature' 😁

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  7. I love seeing your tees - the pattern envelope is weird, yes, but there's something about it that made me put it on my wish list as well. Your tees are cute!

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    1. Coco, I actually thought about you when I was sewing the greige version. Looks like something you would wear, too!

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  8. Oh, these tees are great! I especially love the striped one. I'd wear these all the time! I think the cropped one would work better with shorter sleeves, or even turned and cuffed sleeves. Right now, my favorite slouchy tee is the Scout tee done in knit. It has such a nice fit at the bust and shoulders, but swings ever so slightly at the hem. In fact, I just made one yesterday. :)

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    1. I saw your scout on Instagram! I need to revisit that pattern. It's somewhere in my sewing room.

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  9. Nice tees! Horrible, horrible pattern cover art. Haha ... so bad it's good. I love those culottes!

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  10. These are a great tee shape. The bamboo knit sounds lovely, I may treat myself. Well done for seeing past the awful picture.

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  11. First off, I didn't know someone could look slim in a slouchy tee, but you totally do. Second, the stripes with the black back is my favorite. I love the contrast!

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  12. I love slouchy tees like these! The stripe one with the solid back is really cool. I'm going to have to try out some bamboo knit--I still feel like such a knit newbie.

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  13. Love the navy mixed pattern! You have incredible vision to be able to see that illustration could turn into something so cute!

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  14. I would have walked right past that pattern, the illustration is one of the worst I have seem, but that is such a shame it does this great pattern no favours. Your tops are very stylish and I like both how they fit and all the fabrics you have chosen. They really look great on you and are very much your style. Nice culottes too. Xx

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  15. Oh yeah that cover art sucks butt! Your versions are so much better looking. I love the black and striped combo. You can never go past a good slouchy tee. Especially after having babies lol!

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  16. I agree, bamboo is so nice! It feels so lovely to wear! I actually really like all of the tees but I never would have bought the pattern with that cover art. It's amazing how different things can look once they're made up!

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  17. These tees are so cute! I really love them!

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