Basics | Ottobre 02/2015 no. 17 Jersey Top

Basics..... particularly exercise basics are soooooo boring aren't they?  In fact, they are so boring this post almost didn't get photographed and written because you know..... who wants to read about a humble t-shirt when there's so many pretty dresses floating about blogland.

The mission of this blog is to journal my makes, so to stay true to myself..... I present my new lowly t-shirt.

After posting a few recent (unblogged) t-shirts on IG, bemoaning the fact I hadn't found that 'perfect' one.....  @marjoriesews on Instagram  encouraged me to take a look at some of my Ottobre Design Woman patterns...... that there are some good basic t-shirt designs there.  And she's right.  Totally done with sewing a V-neck t-shirt..... this Ottobre Design Woman 02/2015 no. 17 Jersey Top, below, looked like it was just what I needed.  Reminded me of the (free) Kirsten Kimono Tee pattern from Maria Denmark with a few differences..... the neck is not a boatneck, the shoulders have a neat yoke type piece there instead of traditional shoulder seams and the armholes are bound as is the neckline.  And Ottobre usually fit me well.

To prove I'm on a basic t-shirt kick.... here's just one photo, below, of a bit of fabric purchased recently at Hobby Lobby when they were having a sale.  This is the blue, mid-way down that is a poly/rayon/spandex content with a 2-way stretch.  Only needing a yard, I think this was less than $5.00.  By the way.... I LOVE my local Hobby Lobby store!  The sales clerk in the fabric department recognizes me now and it's so nice to chat with her about what we are making as she cuts my fabric.  Kind of like the stores of long ago. 

Back to the pattern..... not really much to say except I am so glad I double-checked Ottobre's size chart before tracing the pattern as I'd forgotten I'm a 38 in Ottobre.  So this is a 38 with no modifications at all. 

Knit bindings always give me pause, and this top was no different.  So stressed!!!  Particularly with the armhole bindings.  After I sewed the last stitch on those I was so put out they were put aside to be ripped out and re-done next morning.  But by next morning I'd remembered that I've been learning about how we women sometimes put perfectionist burdens on ourselves and decided to let them be.  So glad because in actuality they look fine.

I really like the little shoulder yoke  piece.  Not wanting to break up the lovely blue, I used the same fabric there.  And by the way..... it was freezing outside when I took these photos and my arms are covered in goosebumps!   We've had rain, rain, and more rain lately which brought in cold weather  with blue-skies tempting outside photos regardless of the temps.

The back.  I wear leggings and a t-shirt to exercise at my local Y, and I usually like the t to cover the derriere.  So when I make this again I'll lengthen the hemline both front and back.  Wearing it with the Ottobre Leggings today.

Overall I like this top and think it will get lots of wear.

Thought it might be fun to share a little blast from the past here.  On IG recently, I think due to the Great British Sewing Bee highlighting the 1970s, we were asked to post photos of things we made from that era..... or things our mother made for us.  Well..... that's me in the floppy hat wearing a maxi dress my mother made for me driving my beautiful American Quarter Horse Poco who did a magnificent job pulling this little cart for a historical re-enactment c. 1976/1977 at Maple Hill Cemetery in Huntsville, Alabama.  My sweet friend is sitting alongside.  I did not sew, nor had any interest in sewing back then..... because... ya' know.... horses!!  :)

Happy Sewing All!!  :)