Welp, they can't all be perfect... and this one definitely isn't. When the Seamwork Hayden Tee pattern came out I thought, "Oooooh! Lovely!" Well... now that I've sewed one up, I can't say I feel the same way. I'm not putting all the blame on the pattern - I definitely am at fault for this thing turning out not-so-great... I just am really disappointed with how this turned out.
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On the hanger, this shirt looks totally OK. I even added a bit of trim at the bottom band! The fabric is so so soft (it's the same stuff I made my first Fen Dress out of) and really would make for a perfect woven tee. Alas, this is far from the perfect tee I was envisioning.
So, for the things I screwed up:
- The store-bought bias binding I used was double-fold, when I probably should have just used single fold to avoid all the bulk. The neckline was just too bulky and was a pain to sew.
- The key-hole at the back turned out just OK. I didn't get a flat finish, and I find that even with the under stitching, the facing flips out. Ugh.
- The button loop is made from braided embroidery thread as I didn't want to fuss with a stupid little loop of fabric. This just turned out OK. Oh well!
Aaaand the things that I don't like about the pattern:
- The neck hole is TOO SMALL. Like, way too small. I don't tend like things tight around my neck to begin with, but damn! This sucker feels like it's choking me! I could have made the button loop a bit longer, but I really don't think that's the problem.
- The princess-seams fall in a funny spot, and don't curve around my breasts the way I would have figured they would. I guess if you were colour-blocking this shirt they would be a fun detail, but they really aren't functional for fitting.
- The patterns calls for the bottom band to be cut on the bias. WHY?!? This honestly just seems like a waste of fabric if you ask me. I cut mine with the grainline as I wanted to get the most out of this fabric as possible, and I don't think the fit of the shirt was at all affected by this. Again, maybe if you had a directional print it would make for a fun contrast... but otherwise the bias-cut of the bottom band seems stupid. Maybe someone can explain to me why this has been done?
Anyways... here's a few more pictures... you can definitely tell that this shirt is a no-go for me and will probably get turned into something else later... or I'll re-work the neck hole when I'm not so angry at it.
I really wouldn't recommend this pattern unless you're a tiny person with no boobs. It really is not at all flattering on me, which is too bad because I was so excited about the trim I added! I definitely won't be making this pattern again. Sorry Seamwork! I usually love your stuff... but this one is a total dud. I think the Scout Tee by Grainline will continue to be my go-to woven tee.
LOL - I love how you start by saying "It's not the pattern, it's me!" but by the end, it's clearly the pattern to blame! I'd blame the pattern, myself... that neckline is SO TINY! And the sleeves are pulling like woah... doesn't look comfy. Would you consider chopping off the sleeves and neck to make a tank? I think it would be really cute. I love the pompoms!
ReplyDeleteYeah... it was definitely the pattern. I didn't think I did anything wrong, aside from buggering up the binding. I don't have a giant neck, it's just a stupidly tiny neckline.
DeleteGood call on making it a tank. I had been trying to figure out how to refashion it. and I think that might be the best idea!
Thanks for the honest review! I had been considering this pattern, but I hadn't heard much about it. Sorry to hear you used such lovely fabric on a dud, I'm always afraid of that.
ReplyDeleteI'm always afraid of that too! I was really expecting this shirt to turn out well... oh well!
DeleteThanks for the honest review! I had been considering this pattern, but I hadn't heard much about it. Sorry to hear you used such lovely fabric on a dud, I'm always afraid of that.
ReplyDeleteI think it might be a case of go up a size with this pattern unless you are built like Twiggy? I know if I make it I will do just that since I know I'm a little broad in the shoulder, even if I am flat chested.
ReplyDelete