The truth is, my girls prefer dresses. Even when they're climbing trees or ankle deep in a creek looking for tadpoles. But I had this amazing giraffe fabric on my shelf, which I'm pretty crazy about. I didn't have enough to make another skater dress. But I did have enough for Oliver + S' new pattern - the school bus t-shirt. And how could our animal and Africa lover Tarikua object to a giraffe t-shirt?
This pattern has several options: long and short sleeves as well as cap sleeves for a more feminine look. It's so versatile and the price is right.
This is the cap sleeved version with the thinner neckband.
I happen to not only have a sewing addiction but also an audio/podcast addiction. Sewing while listening is my favorite indulgence. But we all know indulgences aren't always healthy. This particular combination of listening while cutting out patterns doesn't always end well for me.
And so it was this time. I accidentally cut out the front as the back and vice versa, placing the giraffes exactly where I wanted them on the front and lopping off the giraffe heads on the back. I had flipped the pattern pieces over to work with the direction of the fabric, so I couldn't see the pattern labels when cutting. I didn't realize I had cut the back as the front until I had sewn on the neckband. And I was out of fabric.
As I was considering my options, I tried the shirt on Tia, and it looked really great on her with the back as the front. I took off the neckband and scooped out the center front another 3/8" more or so, but I was happy with this unintentional pattern adaption.
I had planned to pair this top with brown linen Puppet Show shorts which I also made this weekend but they just didn't work together. Eh, you win some, you lose some. I do like them both separately, though, so I'll call it an overall win.
Can you believe I've never made the Puppet Show shorts before? I must be the last person on the (sewing) planet to make them.
The strangest thing happened with these shorts. They ended up not needing to be gathered at the bottom, even though I cut them according to the pattern instructions. It was not another podcast-cutting faux pas, I promise you. I'm blaming the linen. Linen, to me, can be frustrating to work with, because it's so shifty. That's the only thing I could think of that went wrong.
So to me, these look less like the Puppet Show shorts and more like something out of Happy Homemade, but I love that book, so I was happy with them nonetheless.
And that wraps up my Spring 2014 KCW!
The t-shirt is so gorgeous - I love the giraffe fabric. And, you know, when I've made the puppet show shorts I've had the same thing happen - the bottom of the shorts and the band has ended up the same width, so I didn't get that blouse-y bloomer effect. I had assumed it was just me, because all the others I've seen online have gathered. MIne were in cotton, not linen, so I couldn't even blame shifty-ness. Which size did you make?
ReplyDeleteWow, Suzy, that's really interesting! Mine are the size 5 from the PDF pattern.
DeleteOh I love the shirt! Very cute print. That's odd about the shorts though - if Suzy up there had the same issue, I wonder if it's a pattern error?
ReplyDeleteGreat outfit(s). If I recall correctly there is an error in the cuff binding length for some of the paper pattern editions. I always forget to check that kind of thing. Can I ask what size shorts you made as they do look roomy and I always seem to make them too small...
ReplyDeleteLove the African animal T-shirt.
Of course! These are the size 5. I'm really happy with the fit, actually. They looked so cute on her in person. I thought about altering them by removing the band and cutting it shorter, gathering the leg, and then sewing the band back on. But when I played around with that look with pins, I actually preferred this look instead. :)
DeleteOh, that giraffe t-shirt is gorgeous! Tia looks so sweet in it. And those chocolate shorts are lovely. I've never made the puppet show shorts, either :) I'm impressed with how much you've gotten done this week, considering all the birthdays in your house. I hope each one was a wonderful day! Hugs xoxo
ReplyDeleteOooh, I love both of these! I am curious - how did you feel about the t-shirt pattern? I really don't need another t-shirt pattern, but I do love o+s drafting and instructions ...
ReplyDeleteI just got the puppet show tunic and shorts, partly based on the great puppet show tops/dresses you've made! YAY! As far as the shorts, check out the errata - this issue is noted, not your fault! http://oliverands.com/oliver-and-s-patterns-pants/OLV-OS002PS.html
love how you matched up Tia's picture of "oh no!" with your description of your mistake (which you remedied beautifully!).
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a good basic pattern to have. I always want the O & S patterns because of their wonderful instructions, even when I have patterns that are already very similar. I have a few Ottobre tshirt patterns already, but their instructions don't even begin to compare! Still, back to that constant struggle of "need" vs "want":) And your puppet shorts are adorable - very Japan-esque, as you said:)
Lucinda, I love that you like to use what you have! That's a great attitude! The reason I chose to buy this pattern - other than that i didn't own a tshirt pattern yet - was because the O+S fit for my kids is always excellent. I always size down in width and up/stay the same in length for my girls and the fit is perfect. I will say, I have made two so far and the neckband looks great on both, without any fiddling. I may have just lucked out on that. Time will tell! ;) So I was very happy with this one and it's less expensive than their standard patterns, too.
DeleteNever ceases to amaze me how your blog posts look like magazine photo shoots! Love the giraffe shirt!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jenny! I have to be honest though and admit Tarikua is extremely photogenic! She makes it easy! :)
DeleteI don't know how I missed this - but I love it all. The giraffe print is great, and I would not have known that her shirt was "backwards" if you hadn't said anything. I adore the Puppet Show shorts pattern and they are great in the linen.
ReplyDelete