Purple Stripey

I like to study how different designers create simple designs different ways, and in my constant quest for something different, even when it's a 'simple' t shirt, I purchased this t-shirt pattern.  It's the "Guest Designer" Mimi G series from Hot Patterns.  I used a striped lightweight knit from my friend Catherine.  She gave this to me a while ago...maybe years ago?  Anyway, I love the colors, I love the fiber content (wool and rayon), and it's soft and elegant looking, I think. 

Here are some things that make this t shirt pattern a bit different from others I've used:

1.  The 'hi lo' hem.  I've seen this look featured in some fashion magazines recently.  The front of the hem is high, and then curves to lower in the back.
 
2.  The back seam is curved in at the lower back curve.  I sometimes put this in myself when using other patterns, and it was a nice feature to have built in to the pattern. This of course is a bit more flattering, as the shirt narrows in where I do.

3.  The little insert at the upper shoulder.  This gives an additional design opportunity.  To make it without the little insert is easy...just overlap seam allowances at the join.  In this case, I used the insert feature to add some design interest using the stripes.

Stripes can be challenging to match.  I hand baste like this to create stability of the seam and then when I machine-serge the seam, it doesn't slip.  In this fabric, one of the stripes zig-zagged.   Matching was impossible, so I just went with it.  Notice I put the zig zag at the waistline, so as to break up the stripe visually.  Thus, it is hoped, not 'widening' me when I wear this.  Horizontal stripes are widening, visually, but I believe the zig zag breaks this up. 

 

 Basting is a  pain, and I hate to do it, but it is worth the trouble.  If I ever get lazy, don't baste, and use what I would call the "Hail Mary" approach, which means "just wing it and hope for the best",  I always regret the lazy choice.  In this case, I hand basted, then straight stitch basted, THEN serged.  The straight stitching first  provided  an extra bit of stability so that the serger would not push the seam alignment out of whack. 



The neckline was easy.  I cut the fabric so that it was with a stripe on the straight of the fabric , joined the ends, folded it over, then applied it to the neckline with the serger. 

Snowy likes to help.

Sometimes I have to stop sewing and pet him. 

Here's that neckline again, sans Snowy. 

Finished!  Time to go hiking...