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Further evidence of my love of prints over solids... @grainlinestudio #portsidetravelset duffle with burgundy leather and canvas outer, @cottonandsteel lining, printed at 80% for the perfect 1-2 day trip size! Just waiting for some matching webbing for a long strap. #sewphotohop

A photo posted by Mika (@mikamakesit) on Sep 5, 2016 at 1:37pm PDT

Apparently I blinked and 2.5 years passed since my last post! Must have something to do with the job I started right around that time... I didn't stop sewing though. I'm not planning on blogging again any time soon, but I am on instagram now, as @mikamakesit. Come find me!

FO: Layer Cake Plantain Tee

I'm back with my latest Plantain tee!

I am really enjoying the versatility of this pattern... just like I did with Colette's Laurel, I am planning on multiple versions.  This one is a sweater knit with poly crinkle chiffon at the hem.

I changed the hem of the tee to a high-low one, and the chiffon is just a rectangle the width of the fabric and about 8" tall.  I folded it over to create the two layers, and hemmed it by folding the edge up by about 1/2", then doing a small zigzag over the fold and trimming the excess fabric.  I'm very pleased with this method (which, fingers crossed, is holding secure so far) because it didn't interfere as much with the drape of the fabric as all of the other methods I tried.  Plus, it was relatively quick - I had no interest in spending hours hemming.  I gathered the rectangle to fit the sweater hem, basted it in, and then secured the two together while hemming with a double needle.

Other than that, the only changes I made from last time were my forward shoulder adjustment (which worked, YAY), and sewing the neckline with the prescribed 5/8" SA for a narrower binding.  I still used 3/8" SAs for the rest of the tee, since this sweater knit has very little stretch and I needed the extra room.

This shirt helps to fill the gap in my wardrobe for long sleeved items to wear with pants; with the frigid weather we've been having in NY, tights just have not been cutting it and my clothing options have shrunk considerably.  So pleased to add this to the rotation!

QUICK FACTS
Fabric: Sweater knit from (now closed?) Jem Fabrics Warehouse, & poly crinkle chiffon from Fabric.com
Pattern: Plantain t-shirt from Deer and Doe
Modifications: High-low hem and chiffon ruffle

FO: A Plantain Tee

When I saw Deer & Doe's new Plantain tee pattern, I knew it would make a great basic.  Plus it's free!

Ugh... iPhone photos. :(

I made up this top as a muslin.  The fabric has been sitting on my shelf for quite a while, one of those prints that I loved online but felt less pleased with in-person.  It's actually been surprising that I've found myself reaching for it this week, which I think is a good sign for my relationship with this pattern.

This is a size 36, sewn with 3/8" seams rather than the 5/8" called for.  I prefer 3/8" on knits, and I was between sizes so this gave me the extra room I needed.  I do wish the sleeves were a little bit more fitted, so I think I'll try either altering the pattern to fit the sleeves from my beloved Jalie 2921, or sewing with the intended 5/8" SA for a closer fit.  I also definitely need a forward shoulder adjustment on this... the shoulder seam moves back a good 1/2-3/4" while I'm wearing it.

As for future versions, I'm definitely making one with this fox print from Girl Charlee:

I've also got a sweater knit & chiffon combo idea, and a white tee with some fabric paint embellishment.  Anyone else making a Plantain?

QUICK FACTS
Fabric: Rayon/poly knit (I think) from Fabric.com
Pattern: Plantain t-shirt from Deer & Doe
Mods: 3/8" SA