Sure as I’m stripey?
This was one of those instances where the finished result looks like a simple long sleeve tee, but the thought, time and effort to make this top was anything but!
Although both the fabric and the pattern are a departure from my normal sewing projects, choosing them was easy. I have a few brightly colour coats in my wardrobe and I needed some warm neutral tops to wear under them. Stripes are a neutral right?
The ponte, a viscose/polyester/nylon blend from The Cloth Shop, is super soft and warm. I really like the different stripe widths, even if it does make me look like the model on the pattern cover.
The pattern is View D of McCall’s 5079. It’s part of the Palmer/Pletsch range and therefore includes excellent fitting information.
The ‘thought’ part of this project was deciding on the sizing and the adjustments I would make… and can I tell you that I agonised. I swayed between sewing it up ‘as is’ and seeing what fitting changes I needed to make (ie. treating it like a toile) or taking the time to make the adjustments that I suspected I would require before I started sewing.
For those that know me well, you will not be surprised to hear that, after several days of deliberation, I did it properly… well mostly properly. I skipped the Full Bust Adjustment as I didn’t want to add a dart in my striped fabric. The changes I made were:
- 3/8″ (1cm) forward shoulder adjustment (this impacts the front, back and sleeve pattern pieces)
- Removed 2″ (5cm) from the body length
- Removed 2″ (5cm) from the sleeve length
- Graded out a size in the bust on both the front and back pattern pieces
The results… well I’m thrilled with this top. Dare I say, surprisingly so. The fit is great, the warmth and comfort factor is high and I have filled a wardrobe gap.
Next time… oh yes, I think View B of M7059 will get another outing… I will:
- Retrace the sleeve and remove 1″ (2.5cm) from it’s length rather than 2″ (5cm) I removed in this version
- Reduce the width of the neckband… it’s just a little wide for my personal preference
I treat stripe matching as a competitive sport, so I basted all the side seams before sewing them. It does take more time, but it’s so worth it.
The hems on this tee were secured with a twin needle and, as is customary for me these days, I used woolly nylon thread in the bobbin. That reminds me, the other hard decision on this project (I’m being serious) was what colour thread to use… black, white, off-white, cream or grey. I went with grey in the end. What would you have chosen?
Pattern: McCalls 5079 (View B)
Size: 10
Fabric: Viscose/polyester/nylon ponte from The Cloth Shop
Alterations: 3/8″ (1cm) forward shoulder adjustment, removed 2″ (5cm) from the body and sleeve length and graded out a size in the bust on both the front and back pattern pieces
Accessories: Scarf from Elk (recent purchase) and boots from Florsheim
Photo Location: Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens, Daylesford
Worth the effort to do ‘properly’ lady – looks fab,, and also toiling in a stripe is never great, once you start making changes those stripes never match up properly! I’d have gone black or grey on the top stitching too!
It was totally worth doing properly. I’m getting a little braver with my adjustments before sewing. The grey was the right top stitching colour.
M’mm, my comment seems to have disappeared, so here goes again. Love the top – great job. I must learn how to do the forward shoulder adjustment because the fit is great. I might have to visit The Cloth Shop and get some of that stripe! I think the grey top stitching is just right. I agree with basting seams. I used to baste every seam I sewed, but these days I’m a bit slack, but it does give a very good result for the effort.
The forward shoulder adjustment has been a big eye opener for me. I find that the more I sew, the more I discover fit changes that need to be made. For me, it’s all part of the sewing journey. If you see me at the Cloth Shop (I’m there quite a bit!) then please say hi.
Very nice.
Thanks Ria
Wow Anna, I know its not your normal style but this rocks. And the stripe matching is fab.
Thanks Louise. It’s nice to step out of my normal zone and still make a winner of a garment.
Well this is more like it! 😂 What’s not to love about a well fitted striped Long sleeve Tee. Great job. Nice stripe matching and super fit.