I started with the simplest sewing project, the purple cotton interlock tee.
I cut the fabric using this old pattern, which I have had for many many years. I used to use it quite frequently for both knit and woven fabric tees and shells. It is fairly over-sized and meant for shoulder pads but I just ignored those.
I cut View C, the v-neck, the only version meant to be pull-on although the patterns are all easily adaptable. I cut the size 8, much smaller than I now usually wear, but remember that this pattern is meant to be over-sized and I did not particularly want an over-sized tee. Looking at the finished project, I could have cut the body a size smaller, but should leave the shoulders as an 8.
It worked out very well and looks good on. The v-neck on the illustration is a bit lower than on the actual garment, at least as it hangs on me. The armhole openings don't seem quite as low as illustrated on the pattern envelope either, although in the photo on Matilda, it looks as low as in the illustration. Matilda has no arms though and I do so it is possible that my armscyes take up more space than hers. I suspect this is because I am taller than average and sometimes have to lengthen patterns to increase the armscye depth. Some patterns that are meant to be very close fitting are too tight for me in that area. Although there appears to be ample room here in the sleeves, this does fit under most jackets.
I like the top and it took very little fiddling to get a nice fit. It is looser than the more fitted tees that are currently popular and I have had a lot of struggles with those kinds of tops. In the end, this kind of loose, drapey tee tends to look better on me, but I still feel it less finished when I want a top to wear with a more tailored outfit. It is boxy enough to skim the body but not as big and over-sized as a purchased men's tee. I can also make it long enough.
Generally this is a pattern that I still think I will use a lot, for knits and maybe again for silk or other woven tops. It is certainly easy and good for casual and knock-around tees and is more flattering than most purchased tees as well.
I could easily curve the sides seams in for a little more waist shaping and I could add darts which would eliminate some of the pull lines which I get on all tees that don't have darts. I always get boluxed up in this darts v. no darts issue with knit tops. The tops fit better with darts but somehow we are so used to not having darts in knits that I sometimes feel it is funny to put them in. I guess I should make up my mind someday.
