Mother Nature has been an evil hag this year.  Monday Vito and I were like giddy school kids frolicking outside in the near 70 degree temps.  Today it's back to heavy coats and sweaters as the temps made a drastic turn to 30 degrees AGAIN. Such an evil tease you are MN.  I'm thankful for Monday though as I was able to get outside to photograph three finished projects.

I know you've probably already read over and over by the many other bloggers out there how awesome the Deer & Doe Plantain is but please just allow me to reiterate that already known fact.

The Plantain is a FREE downloadable pdf.  I taped up the 17 page pattern, made my fit alterations, cut my fabric and had a shirt sewn up in like 2.5 hours.  That's pretty awesome people...for me anyway.  My fabric was this blue and gray striped cotton knit from Fabric Mart.  It's the type of knit that is perfect for those oversized cozy long sleeve tees that carry you through the transitioning weather. The perfect weight that feels like "butta" against your skin.   Maybe I'm saying too much but I literally wore this all day, took it off that night, tossed it in a wad in the corner and woke up the next day deciding I wanted to wear it again...NO wrinkles.

Through my muslin, that I turned into a night shirt, I was able to determine that in addition to my normal upper back adjustments I've become accustomed to making I also needed a sway back adjustment.  I followed this tutorial by Kitschy Coo.  I also raised the neckline 1/2 inch and shortened the sleeves just a smidge as I do prefer them pretty long.

 

I really took my time cutting my fabric to ensure my stripes would match up.  My sides look perfection but I've not quite conquered matching up the sleeves to the armholes.  Anyone have any tips or tricks on this?

MY FAVES:  Those elbow patches!! I used a light weight sweater knit for mine that I got from the remnants bin at Joann's.  They are attached with a zig zag stitch which proved to be quite tricky.  My patches wanted to move on me when sewing so I finally smartened up and used fusible web to hold them in place.  I'm also loving the fit of this tee.. close fitting up top and flares out at the bottom.  I CAN eat that last brownie after all!  But best of all, I have a new TNT pattern to add to my stash!

MN has it out for me I'm telling ya!  I fought the wind during the entire photo shoot.  Payback for all that trash talking I've been doing about her.  Maybe hag was a little harsh?.?.  I also had about a hundred birds circling overhead.  They made no bones about using my car as target practice so I was nervously looking up the whole time anticipating being shit on.

TIPS:  Steam a seam comes in really handy when finishing your hems especially if your using a finiky lighter weight knit.  I used 1/2 inch wide webbing.  I first finished my hem using my serger (which is totally optional on knits since not all fray) ironed on my steam a seam to the bottom hem, folded the hem up using the width of the webbing as a guide for my hem width, gave it another quick press and stitched in place.  This eliminates the need for pinning and also helps to prevent ripples.