Fall Sewing Plans

I'm working up a plan of some things I'd like to sew for fall.  I want to concentrate on basics and things I really wear in my everyday life.  And to sew from my stash.  I think I already have patterns that will work for all of these.
 
I like to wear long sleeve tees because they are so comfortable, but they look too plain and casual.  So I thought I'd make a simple vest similar to this to wear over them.  Although I will probably make it in a print since most of my tees are solids - plus I love prints.

I like this plaid flannel shirt that's a little different due to the bottom cut on the bias.

Since I already have this McCall's pattern, I'll use it.

I'll use my TNT knit top for this black and gray knit top, with lace front overlay.

 A white button up shirt that's a little different.  I'll probably make the sleeves longer.
 I'm not sure how to do the pleats.   I do like the black and white buttons.

Now to get started!

Tee Shirt Contest

I'm participating in a contest on Pattern Review that runs through August.  The contest is called "TNT Tee".  The important component of this contest is the fit of the tops.  The only requirement is to use one pattern to make at least 4 knit tops.  The pattern may be modified as to neck and sleeve styles and length and shape of the body.

 
I'm using Vogue 1861, which in now out-of-print. I started with a size large (as I wanted loose fit).  Fit alterations I made are:  narrowed and lowered the neckline (front & back); removed 1 inch from shoulder width; and lowered the armhole 1/2".   I had an issue with the sleeves not hanging correctly, so I rotated the sleeves toward the back and added a little to the back shoulder length. Now this is my TNT basic knit top pattern.

TOP #1

I added 3 inches to the length and added a little to the side seams to get more drape.  The fabric is a poly/spandex ITY jersey I purchased several years ago from Fabric Mart. Hems were finished using my coverstitch machine. I had trouble with tunneling that I worked out by the time I finished.  Neckline was bound, turned to inside and double-stitched.  This one is 1/2" wide; all the others I used 1". I decided the back neckline is a little low on this one, so I raised it up for the other tops.

TOP #2

This top is the same size and shape as Top #1, but I used raglan sleeves.  The floral fabric is a  ITY jersey that I got at Fabric Mart several years.  I used a solid black poly/lycra ITY jersey that I recently got from Fabric.com  I added a 1" neck band and sleeve bands from the same black fabric. I love both of these fabrics and very happy with how this top turned out.

TOP #3

 

This one is a basic loose fitting tee shirt, and since it's black, I'm sure I'll wear it a lot.  The fabric is a textured, light weight poly/lycra.   I made it a couple inches shorter and less full; and also straightened the hem by shortening the side hem points.   I added a 1" wide neckband using this method:  neckline-binding-for-knits by Sarah Veblen.  Since finding this, it's my favorite way to do the neckline on knit tops.

TOP #4

This is made exactly like the black one (top #3).  The fabric is a light-weight cream colored lacy look knit.  I paid $3.00 yard for it, and this is the 2nd top I've made from it.  I got it last year at Zinck's fabrics in Berlin, Ohio.  zincksfabric.com.  This is a no-frills fabric outlet in a warehouse type metal building.  It has inexpensive fabrics and a few notions and quilt batting.  A fun place to shop!


I'm happy with all four tops and plan to make a couple more for winter - maybe a cowl neck and a lace one.