Beetle Top

I didn't actually set out to make myself a beetle top. I bought this fabric at Britex last year with my grandson in mind. What could be cuter than a little set of overalls covered with beetles? I could call them his Love Bug pants.

As it turns out, though, the kid's style is more Grandpa Chic than Quirky/Cute. Even at 18 months he wears a lot of bermuda shorts and cardigans. Think Mr. Rogers, but way shorter.

So one day last week I decided, "Hey Ho, someone has to be the grandma who wears weird print tops, and it looks like I'm elected."

They look a bit like polka dots from a distance, but when you see them up close they're definitely beetles.

I only had a yard of this fabric, so I pulled out my old reliable, McCall's 8050. I think it's out of print, but it's pretty recent (1996), so it's not too hard to come by. Hmm, just realized that 1996 is 23 years ago. Time just telescopes more and more as I get older.

Anyway, this is the first time I've tried the sleeveless version of this pattern and I like it pretty well. I like the square-ish neckline and I very much like not having to set in the sleeves. The last time I made the sleeved version I swore I would never set in a sleeve again as long as I lived.

The pattern includes facings for the neck and arm scythe. I did use the neck facing, which I think gives a nice finish. I nixed the arm scythe facings in favor of a bias tape finish, which will be much easier to wear. I hate it when facings try to pop out at the underarm, as they always seem to do on sleeveless tops.

I'm thinking this top will be a hit with my grandson, though he would never wear such a thing himself. There's nothing funnier than a grandma in a novelty print top.

My pattern review is on PatternReview.com here.

Seeking a Woven Tee

I've been auditioning patterns for the role of "favorite woven tee." Every wardrobe needs one, don't you think? My candidates so far have been the Grainline Scout and Gertie's portrait blouse, which can be made without the zipper and waist tucks if you're after some simple, slip-over action.

So just what is a woven tee anyway? Here are a couple snippets from Wikipedia that make sense to me:

"A T-shirt (or tee shirt, or tee) is a style of fabric shirt, named after the T shape of the body and sleeves. It is normally associated with short sleeves, a round neck line known as a crew neck, with no collar." Tee shirts are "slip-on garments without buttons" and are "easily fitted, easily cleaned, and inexpensive." 

Huh. I thought they were named after golf tees because golfers wear them while out on the links. You learn something new every day!

Anywhoo, here is McCall's 8050, an oldie but a goodie. I made this bad boy on the last day of sewing camp.

Sorry for the yellow tinge - due to afternoon light through mustard colored shades

It looks like this pattern is out of print. The date on the envelope is 1996, which is probably about when I first picked it up at the flea market. A kimono sleeve version of this pattern (the middle row on the pattern envelope) is one of my oldest me-mades still in existence. 

This time I made view A, the one in the upper right corner. How have I never noticed this view before? It's just what I've been looking for. I like the squared off neckline and I've been wanting something with set-in sleeves. The older I get, the more I think about sun protection. 

side view

I cut a size 8 after checking the finished garment measurements. According to the size chart, the 8 should fit a 31.5 inch bust. Except the size 8 has a finished bust measurement of 39.5 inches. Eight inches of ease. Honestly, I wonder how many people believe the size charts on the back of the pattern envelope and then just give up garment sewing in disgust?

The size 8 fits my 35ish inch bust just fine, and the shoulders feel like they sit about right. I was worried the neckline might gape, but it stays in pace pretty nicely. 

back view

I used a Kaffe Fassett shot cotton, which should feel cool and breezy on a hot summer day. This fabric is kind of like linen, in that it always looks a little rumpled. I'm thinking of that as a design feature. I haven't washed the finished top yet, so I'm not sure if I'll feel like I have to press before wearing. My standards are pretty low though, so probably not.

The top is super simple to put together. Well, except for trying to ease in the sleeve cap. I had this issue with the Scout woven tee too. I wonder if you need extra ease at the shoulder to help these tops slip on and off? I'll be experimenting with reducing that sleeve cap in version #2. I'll let you know how that works out.

Parting shot with background dog

If you happen to come across this pattern, I can recommend it. Especially if reducing the sleeve cap ease works out OK. Looks like you can find it pretty easily on Ebay for 5 bucks or less. I really like my old kimono sleeve version too. I might need to make another one of those sometime soon. 

My pattern review is on PatternReview.com here.