Hello,
I finished the two Plantain t-shirts for
Magam challenge January "Sew New Start". This two t-shirts are my first make in 2017, I decided to sew basic top because I realised that I still need some of this for my wardrobe. Besides basic top I still need basic bottoms (skirts and pants) as well, so my general plan for 2017 is to sew more basic garments.
Below pictures are the finished t-shirts, green colour is the real one and grey colour is the wearable muslin. Before I continue, I want to mention here that I decided to make this Plantain t-shirts after I saw Lisa's version some months back. You can see her pretty Plantains over her blog at
Lisa's Carolina Handmade.
Pattern detail and adjustment:
Free pattern
Plantain t-shirt Deer and Doe long sleeves view A size 36. I decided to raised the center front neckline 2.5 cm because I fear the neckline will be too low. I had this experience in some of the patterns.
After raised the CF, I drew a new line of the neckline and left the back neck as it is. And as I raised the front neckline 2.5 cm, I reduced the neckline band 2.5 cm.
I added ease on both front and back bodices 1 cm and both sides of the sleeve 1 cm.
Also, I omitted the elbow patches and following the rest as the original pattern.
Fabrics:
Both my fabrics are jersey knit, I found them on sale in the local shop. I bought the green colour 3 yards and grey colour 2 yards. I still have a lot left over from both that is enough to make another garments in the future.
The sewing process was fast, I did two t-shirts in eight hours. It started as usual, sew front back bodice at the shoulder right sides together.
Attached the sleeves to the bodices and sew both sides right sides together. After that, I sew the neckline band right sides together, pin and sew carefully to the neckline. Then top stitched the band with twin needle and trimmed the excess fabric.
And the last part, sew the sleeves and hemline with twin needle 1.5 cm.
I was so happy that the wearable muslin turned out nice and I don't need to make another adjustment for the real t-shirt 😃
I loved the finished t-shirts. The pattern is so easy to work with and I see so many possibilities from it. I can make it as a simple dress by lengthen the pattern. I can make turtleneck t-shirt or boat-neck t-shirt . Or I can make a short sleeve or sleeveless t-shirt to wear in the summer.
Besides that, this t-shirt has a little bit flare style at the bottom and I think it is great idea to hide the little tummy 😀
Here are more pictures of me wearing it, front - side and back views. Pictures taken during the Chinese New Year celebration.
Wishing everyone the best of luck in the year of the Rooster!
Love,
Hana
Happy Chinese New Year Hana! Your tees look great! I'm now cutting out a Plantain for a tunic/dress...I think I will add a little volume, but not much. I also raised the neckline of my tees...your tip of how much to shorten the band is really helpful, thanks!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sue. Looking forward to seeing the finished tunic :)
DeleteI love your t-shirts Hana. You're right, you can definitely lengthen it to make a dress. The pattern definitely has many possibilities. Happy Chinese new year!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Olivia :)
DeleteLove your tshirts Hana.. I have that pattern, need to make a couple of them.
ReplyDeleteHappy Sewing.
Thank you, Judy. It is an easy and fast pattern to work with :)
DeleteLook at you! You finished two lovely tees just in time for MAGAM January! I like them both, and think the green one looks especially nice on you. Thanks for sharing the details for construction.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Vanessa. Me too, love the green colour very much :)
DeleteBoth tops look great on you! I've been looking forward to reading what modifications you made to this pattern and think what you did was perfect. Beautifully finished necklines! Always think your twin needle stitching is so well done. And thank you for such a lovely compliment! You are so kind! So glad you like this pattern and look forward to seeing what you make next! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lisa :) I will be making a drees soon, still waiting for the local shop to open to buy knit fabric. The shop owner is from Mainland China, she is on Chinese New Year holiday for two weeks. So, I have to wait.
DeleteHappy New Year Hana. I hope the Rooster crows loudly and brings you happiness and lots of sewing time! This is a nice t shirt pattern - you are right, a little softness and flare over the tummy area is a good thing! Both are flattering and nicely made- and if you did the original neckline it would have been far too big on you - both low and too wide on the shoulders. I haven't tried this pattern yet. One day!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the lovely wishes, Sarah Liz. It is a nice pattern and easy to work with. At first sight I saw that the neckline is too big and too deep, I have to adjust it to my taste :)
DeleteI habe Seen this pattern once and I don't wear it, because the neckline is way too deep for my taste! But I like yours,thanks for explaining what you did to raise it, I will give it a try! Both tops look lovely!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Katharina. It is a nice pattern to try, can not wait to see your version :)
DeleteBoth tops look great on you! I think this pattern is very useful. Have a nice holiday;)
ReplyDeleteThank you Eli :)
DeleteI too have this pattern but haven't made it yet. Thank you for the advice about the neckline. I don't like them too wide or low, either. Your tops are just perfect and I think the little flare at the bottom is very nice.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kathy. Happy Sewing!
DeleteI have this pattern but haven't made it. Yours are very nice. My old sewing machine would eat jersey fabric so I have always been wary of knits. Maybe with my new machine I will revisit this pattern. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Annie. I am sure you can sew knits with your new machine :)
DeleteI can't decide which one I like the most. Beautiful done detail on the neckline Hana.
ReplyDeleteYou have done a great job with these! So versatile :)
ReplyDeleteThank you ellen, they are fast and easy to sew too :)
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