Tee for two (for two)! I think I'm in love.
Jan 22, 2011 I’ve been in the biggest sewing rut, wanting to make *so* many different projects, but never finding the time or motivation. I finally decided to de-stash, and use up some of the fabric I have just sitting around me in piles.
First off, I have tons of flannel that I decided to use up (I buy flannel like other people buy paper towels). JoAnn’s was having a sale a couple of months ago, and I decided to stock up. We can always use flannel around here — for diapers, wipes, pads, etc. So really, I can’t have enough. And when there are cute prints, and it’s on sale? Done. So I bought a ridiculous amount of yardage, washed it, and then folded it up and promptly ignored it.
I don’t really have a lounge-y pants type pattern for the middles, but I do have a super easy Kwik Sew pattern that I used to use for them all the time. I didn’t like the tapered legs, so I have several sizes traced and modified to make them straight-leg (just draw a line straight down from the crotch instead of having it taper in). The largest size is a T4 which I know for a fact is too small, so I added 1” to the outseam for both the front and back leg pieces, and extended the bottom hem 4”.
It worked out well, but Charlie’s were too long — I ended up hemming 3 out of those 4”. Phoebe’s were perfect. In retrospect, I should’ve only added 1/2” to the outseam, but they’re very roomy and baggy and comfy for pjs, I think.
So, the shirt. I first mentioned the pattern in this post, and have actually made one shirt for Thea from it successfully. It was a little long and baggy on her, though, and it took me a LONG TIME to make. I wasn’t encouraged. I still have a deep fear of knits, and making one successful shirt wasn’t enough to change my mind.
However, I found this bolt of fabric I bought, like, 7 years ago? It was $1/yd and all white knit. Since it was $1/yard, I bought the whole damn bolt, and then have been too afraid of it to touch it since. Literally, the fabric sat wrapped on the bolt that whole entire time. Let’s face it: I’m a fabric hoarder.
Anyway, since I didn’t have any plans for it, and since making 2 shirts for the middles would only take about a yard, I decided to just jump right in with the Tee for Two pattern, and MAN. I’m so glad I did.
The pattern is super simple: 4 pieces. Front, back, sleeves, neckband. I measured the girls, and traced out the size 4/5, with a 6/7 in length. I used the 4/5 long sleeves and kept the original length there since I didn’t want them too long.
The fabric was not easy to work with — knits are slippery, and bunchy, and not at all crisp and easy like wovens. It took me a long time to learn not to push the iron back and forth on the material but hover over it instead. Plus it’s really wide, so it takes up more space and is just a pain for me to lay it out, make sure there are no creases, and then start tracing. I went slowly. It took awhile.
Also, I did some online research and a lot of people recommended using a walking foot when sewing knits. I had a (required) ball-point needle, and rummaged around in my sewing drawer until I found out that, woot! My machine came with a walking foot. If it hadn’t, I would’ve bought one — that’s how much easier it made sewing these shirts. So I felt really prepared for sewing these on my machine, even though my instinct was to use the serger instead.
I cut two of everything. I pinned, pinned, pinned. I marked all the pieces clearly. I went very slowly. I stopped and looked at the instructions every 30 seconds. It went quicker than I thought it would, but it was definitely not a cakewalk — I was paranoid and (possibly?) made it a little harder than it had to be. I had the girls try them on at every different stage, and started to get really excited as they took shape.
The hardest part for me was probably the neckband. It was difficult remembering to pull the neckband *without* pulling the neck of the shirt. Again, going slowly was key. I finished the shirts, ironed them out, and then proceeded to rock out with the happy dance. They were done, they were FABULOUS!, and they fit.
So of course I will be making more. I mentioned that I had an entire bolt of that white knit, right? I’m planning to make them some tees for school, and will dye them to match their skirts I’m going to sew up. I’m so excited, you guys. These shirts look really, really good. And it’s not thanks to me, it’s thanks to this pattern. It was clear, easy to follow, and the shape is perfect — slim fit but long. I’m almost sad they’ll be wasted as jammie shirts.
Reader Comments (2)
Look at you go! Those're awesome.
LOVE the tag at the bottom.
So happy to hear you enjoyed the pattern! yay