When I purchased Love Sewing Magazine Issue #47* I saw there was a free “scuba tee” pattern included. I didn’t read the article (I barely read the magazine until this month…issue 47 was from late last year!), just dove right in. What I missed, by not reading carefully, is that this is actually the Simple Tee from My Handmade Wardrobe Patterns.
My Handmade Wardrobe Patterns was a successful Kickstarter campaign from Sarah and Freya, the team behind Crafty Sew & So. I was actually a backer of the campaign—I got a cool branded tote out of it!
So I hadn’t read the article, I just saw that there was an easy t-shirt made in scuba (though looking back at the article, it never actually suggests scuba), so I jumped in. I had a floral liverpool in a March color of the month-appropriate aqua background that I thought would be perfect since it’s actually a tad lighter weight than scuba but just as stable.
The reason the magazine called it a scuba tee is because Sarah had made one up in a floral cobra scuba and then Love Sewing had used it for the magazine. It all makes sense now!
The Simple Tee pattern was included in the magazine but is also free directly from MHW. It’s part of a multi-pattern nested magazine insert but the bust measurements are printed on the pattern. I made the rookie mistake of using the size closest to my bust size (large) and just doing a 1″ full bust adjustment. I should have used my UPPER bust size (which put me in a medium) and then adjusted. I knew I would have to take out 3″ of length (a typical adjustment), but not starting with the proper size is what led us here:
The overall shirt was too big and yet somehow the neckline was too small. It was just not a good look on me.
So I did a little surgery: took off the neckband and simply folded over the neck at the original seamline, and serged up the sides an extra 5/8″ each, and that led us to:
That’s a much happier face.
The Simple Tee is true to its name. It’s just a front and back with grown on or kimono sleeves. If you omit the neckband, it’s a simple four seams (shoulders and sides) and can basically be serged together in 5 minutes! Fold everything over 1 cm (3/8″) and hem (either on a coverstitch or by using a twin needle) and you’re done.
Provided you used the right size, of course.
It’s a great wardrobe basic. And I finally made something this month in my signature color of the month: aquamarine!
I think next time I’ll actually size down for a more fitted look, which will require a larger FBA but that’s life. If I do add a neck band, it will definitely be thinner than the pattern piece since it just didn’t work for me this time. Maybe I could even add a band to the bottom for a different look? Like most wardrobe basics, this one is ripe for hacking!
Pattern Recap:
Pattern: My Handmade Wardrobe Patterns Simple Tee
Size: large
Fabric: aqua floral liverpool, poly-spandex blend
Modifications: 1″ no-dart FBA, removed 3″ of length, took in side seams additional 5/8″
Notes for next time: use size medium for better shoulder fit, lower front neckline
*Note that the magazine links to the wrong website in its listing for the projects from Issue #47. My Handmade Wardrobe is someone’s personal blog.
Lovely, just goes to show, never give up!