I sewed the apricot one first, so it is pretty plain. Then the blue one. The blue fabric does not have as much stretch as the other fabrics, so it is a smidge small. In spite of this, it is my favourite. I added pleats to the maroon one (inspired by the Named Laurie striped tee). Rather than create a new pattern, I pleated the fabric before cutting out the front.
I started with the StyleArc Lisa t-shirt pattern, but then I altered the shoulder length, the armhole, the neckline and the sleeves, so it does not look a lot like the original. Each of the shirts has a different sleeve, as I was playing around with the fit.
I always say they're not worth sewing and then I sew them anyway. I wear them a lot and if I have the fabric and an idea, why not? :-)
ReplyDeleteI think they are worth sewing if you are making them as you always sew such great stuff. I like the blue one too and the red one. Folding and sewing the fabric up first is what I have done in the long ago past when I wanted this feature. So much easier than notching etc.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely worth sewing because of how much I wear them and especially because when I make them, I get to choose fabric and fit and not try to struggle into RTW choices made for me. Your tees look great. I really like the pleats.
ReplyDeleteWorth sewing? Absolutely! Partly because the fit can be tweaked to be more flattering but also because they are so satisfyingly quick to sew.
ReplyDeleteTotally worth sewing! The fabrics are cuter and the fit is better when I sew them myself.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely worth sewing! And yours are definitely worth photographing for your blog. Yours are all fabulous.
ReplyDelete--LindaC
All are very nice. I definitely prefer to sew tees both because of the fit and because of the instant gratification. I also made a mock Named Laurie I was pleased with but then went ahead and bought the real pattern. I can't really explain why but I really love theirs, it's a little less fitted than what I'd been wearing and the pleats hang really nicely.
ReplyDeleteYour t shirts all look great. They fit so nicely, and the finishing is excellent. You make awesome neckbindings. I really don't think you could buy these unless you spent your whole life at the shops and price was no object,
ReplyDeleteI have the same thoughts every time I make a t-shirt, but then can never find a t shirt in a quality fabric, a colour I like, and that fits me - so I end up making them anyway.
Definitely worth making and photographing, love seeing how you turn a plain t-shirt into something else by fabric or design and your bindings are perfect.
ReplyDeleteI think if you like sewing them then there's your answer. They all look really nice. I was thinking I would check out the pattern but it sounds like you've made lots of changes! Your fit is spot on.
ReplyDeleteThese are definitely worth sewing ~ they fit you perfectly ... J
ReplyDeleteThe beauty of making your own is the quality of fabrics. In my experience rtw can often pull out of shape after the first washing. Great tees!
ReplyDeleteI sew tee shirts as they are so hard to buy in the colours and styles I like. However if I see what I like in the shop (for a good price) I snap it up! Love the tees particularly the pleated one.
ReplyDeleteI always struggle with that argument...and sew them if I can't find something in the shops first! My biggest issue is finding good quality knit fabrics to make them from, or perhaps I'm just expecting too much of the stretch fabric compared to wovens. Lovely tees :)
ReplyDeleteI usually buy them coz I can get them cheaply and in good fabric that fits fine. Well I do stress that I'm participating in exploiting women in poorer countries when I buy them, so I much rather find them at an op-shop.
ReplyDeleteI find it hard to find fabric good enough to make it worth making my own, too. Where do you get your fabrics from? I'm curious!
I'm rather envious of your t-shirts though. They look very nice, and fit you beautifully. Strikes me it's likely they're so 'easy' for you to make up because you've put so much work into learning how to sew them well, and into getting a well-fitting pattern.
I like sewing t shirts, too. I think I like it because I can control all factors- like sleeve length, neckline, hem length, etc. When you buy tee shirts at the store, you are limited by whatever happens to be popular at the moment. I love the pleated tee!
ReplyDeleteLove that pleated T...it's especially cool and I think even cuter than the Named example. I'm going to try this too!
ReplyDeleteI love the pleated t-shirt!! I think it's totally worth making something yourself because the process can be quite enjoyable and you'll have something no one else does at the end.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion they're worth sewing - and they're pretty much instant gratification, too. Poor fitting t-shirts is probably the main thing thing that catapulted me into making my own clothes.
ReplyDeleteGood idea to pleat the fabric first. It makes for a fun tee.
T-shirts are totally worth sewing. First you get to choose the fabric, not stuck with the fashion industries choices for the season. Second, you can make them actually fit you. I'm tired of T-shirts riding up and hanging out on my high hip (above the bum). So, I'm working on proper fitting. I thought it would be a relatively simple alteration, but it's not. The body always is in motion and looser knits slide up if you bend over or move.
ReplyDeleteI really like the items you make. Simple elegance, really. I think that your t-shirts or any other wardrobe basic are worth talking about. Having a quality basic T is a critical base element to my wardrobe and I'd say to many others as well.
Where on earth did you get that amazing purple fabric?! It's utterly fantastic!