Before we start today’s post I just want to announce the winners of the great big sewing giveaway we held to celebrate the launch of the “A Modern Thread” pinterest board (if you’re not following yet, click over and check it out!). The winners are:
Larissa S. won the $200 Amazon gift card and $50 to The Ribbon Retreat
Cheri B. won $50 to fabric.com and a 5 pattern pack to Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop.
Courtney K. won a Riley Blake fabric bundle and the full line of patterns from the Polka Dot Chair.
Deborah G. won $50 to Modern Yardage and a 3-pack of pattern from Blank Slate Patterns.
Megan H. won $50 to The Ribbon Retreat as well as patterns from LBG Studio, Shwin Designs, and Running with Scissors.
All the winners have been notified and claimed their prizes – congratulations ladies! On to today’s tutorial:
Last summer I shared a free pattern for “the easy tee” – the easiest-to-sew women’s t-shirt ever (pattern found in this post). I ended up making 8 variations because the shirt is so simple and quick to sew up, including a color blocked version and a second printable pattern for a raglan sleeve version (both patterns are size L only). Since it’s starting to warm back up I’ve made a few more versions, including today’s gathered waist easy tee and an easy tee dress that will be coming next week.
For the gathered waist version, I followed the first few steps in the original easy tee tutorial: Cut out pieces, sew together at the shoulder seams, sew together down the side seams, finish neckline and hem sleeves. However, instead of adding a hem band at the bottom, I decided to put some gathers at the waistline to give the shirt a peplum feel. I sewed 4 rows of shirring all the way around the waistline, about half an inch apart. Shirring is super easy – you just need to put elastic thread in your bobbin – find a quick tutorial here.
I also added two rows of shirring along each shoulder seam, which pulled up the sleeves slightly and help distribute the gathers from the waist a little better across the bustline. Then I turned the fabric up and hemmed. (Fabric is from Girl Charlee and it’s a cotton jersey knit – looks like they don’t carry it anymore.) The shirt is very lightweight so it works nicely under a cardigan, but since it gathers at my natural waist it flares out a bit below that, so it’s doesn’t cling to my muffin top, which is always a good thing 🙂
Remember to check back next week or sign up for email updates in the sidebar so you don’t miss the easy tee dress!
linked at: Make it and Love it, I Heart Naptime, Whipperberry, Tidy Mom
JulieJOY! says
SO GLAD I found you on Pinterest today! You are my style! I’m into making things in my closet fit with a tweak here or there, or tweaking clothes that were too big to start with and cutting them down. I have narrow shoulders, flabby upper arms, and am pear shaped. I like comfy, but not frumpy. I can’t wait to look around your website more!
Alison says
I love this! The idea of not having to attach sleeves makes me happy. Definitely one of my least favorite things to do. I might not do the shirring, but I will make a regular top.
Colleen says
thank you Autumn for all your wonderful free patterns and tutorials. I am enjoying sewing again.