Polka Dot Knit Scout!

It's no secret that I have a mild obsession with Grainline's Scout T-shirt pattern...  I've made like 100 versions of the pattern made out of woven fabric and had always wondered what it might be like to sew in knit fabric.

Coincidentally, around the same time that I got my new serger (which makes knits easier to sew, woo!), Jen from Grainline posted a tutorial on how to sew up a Scout using knits.  Kismet?  Indeed. Thus, here's my knit Scout!

Vintage polka dot fabric is from Martha's stash.  I went down one size from my normal Scout size and lengthened it by 1.5 inches, but I think I could have gone down maybe even another 2 sizes because there is so much ease in the pattern.  It's definitely not a tight t-shirt!  My neckline is a little wonky, pulling a bit.  Maybe my neckband fabric wasn't as stretchy as I thought and thus I cut it a bit short? 

Despite these little kinks, I still dig my knit Scout and definitely plan on more in the future!

Pattern Blocked Scout Tee

Q: Which one of the three design features on this iteration of Grainline's Scout Woven Tee was intentional?

a) The contrast stitching

b) The diagonal pattern blocking

c) The button down back
 

A: If you guessed b, you are correct!  I had this awesome pattern blocking tutorial by Mad Mim bookmarked for months now- I love the diagonal line (not to mention her awesome hand stamping)!  I had big plans to use my trusty Grainline Scout t-shirt pattern as the basis for my pattern blocked tee, but somehow these plans didn't come to fruition until this week. My impetus: a few weeks ago I saw that Kollabora and Sown Brooklyn were hosting a Scout Tee sewalong/contest and I decided that this was the perfect reason to put my well-laid pattern blocking plans into action.
 

The other two design elements (the button back and the contrasting stitching) were pretty much accidental.  I didn't have enough black fabric to cut the back on the fold (hence the button back) and I (in)conveniently ran out of black thread right before sewing (cue white contrast stitching).  But I kinda dig the result, so we'll call them happy accidents...
 

Here are the deets: black cotton fabic from Pasar Mayestik plus some really cool black, white and minty green geometric/floral batik (scraps from another Grainline Scout Tee as well as a Grainline Tiny Pocket Tank I made as Christmas presents for Martha and Chuck, respectively).  For the front I followed Mad Mim's directions pretty much to a "T" (har har), and for the back, I traced the pattern piece not on the fold but cut two separate pieces that I extended out 2 extra inches at the inner seam.  Before adding the bias tape to the neckline I zig-zagged the inner edge of both back pieces and then pressed each of them under 1 inch to make the button plackets, which I top-stitched down.  Add buttonholes, buttons and ta-da!  I also lengthened the top a little bit- an inch or so.

My work in action!

Here are some action shots of some of the pieces I've made recently... Looking good, if I do say so myself! 

Meghan told me she loves her handmade batik t-shirt (made using Grainline's Scout pattern) and received 2 compliments on it from coworkers. I'm glad that the money I wired them made it all the way to DC:

Meghan looking quite cute in her batik!

I also enjoyed wearing (and inevitably sweating through) my Scout tees whilst jaunting around Vietnam:

Rocking my wearable muslin Scout while making the steep climb up the Marble Mountains.

Digging into some pho in Ho Chi Minh City while wearing my red flowered Scout.

Standing in a beautiful ancient gateway in the imperial city of Hue, wearing my plaid Anda top.

Scout's Honor

The Grainline Scout t-shirts keep coming...  here are my latest versions, some with tweaks (both accidental and purposeful):

Eggplant batik, for Colleen to tide her over until she makes it out here to Indonesia:

Purple flowers, for Chuck's birthday, with plenty of help from Lincoln:

 

Accidentally sleeveless linen... I made this one from some so-light-pink-it's-almost-white linen that I bought, but didn't use, for my wedding dress.  I only had a yard, not enough to cut the sleeves except on the bias.  Turns out sleeves cut on the bias are wonky and terrible, so this one ended up as a sleeveless shell:

And lastly, a mauve, black and olive chevron Scout for myself, with sleeves lengthened by about 2.5 inches:

Tiny Pocket(less) Tank

Since I am so in love with Grainline's Scout T-shirt pattern, I thought I would download another pattern from the site: the Tiny Pocket Tank. It's a simple but modern-cut tank perfect for hot Jakarta weather. 

I decided to make my first version out of an old cotton and linen button-down shirt of Tim's that he no longer wears.  In retrospect, perhaps I should have done a straightforward version of the tiny pocket tank rather than a refashion, but it turned out pretty well in the end anyway. 

I skipped the tiny pocket in the end, but left the button down placket from Tim's shirt intact.  I sewed it up, though, to prevent any gaping.  The chest area is a little bit tight on me (the top of the pattern is not quite as roomy as the Scout t-shirt- it's slightly more fitted- so I misjudged my size), so next time I may go up a size. 

I'm looking forward to making many more versions of this pattern! 

Batik Scout

I promised you more Scout t-shirts... here's the next installment.  This one is made from some batik I bought in Jogjakarta last month.  Came out pretty cute!  This pattern is definitely worth downloading and is perfect for a newbie sewer such as myself.

I went down a size from my wearable muslin because the pattern is cut roomy.  I also think I set the sleeves in a little better this time.  I guess that's why people make muslins... practice makes perfect (or at least better). 

Another Grainline Scout T-Shirt!

In anticipation of our upcoming trip to Laos (where I understand it will be hot and humid), I wanted another Grainline Scout T-Shirt made out of a light and flowy fabric.  Luckily, Chuck sent me this really pretty, light and linen-y fabric that is perfect for the job...

I never get sick of this pattern- it's super easy to make, easy to wear, can be dressed up or dressed down.  Good stuff.

Deer and Doe Plantain T-shirt

Another day, another free pattern!  This one is Plantain from a French pattern company, Deer and Doe.  I've had my eye on the Deer and Doe patterns for a while (particularly the Sureau dress and Datura blouse), but haven't pulled the trigger and bought any, mostly because their patterns are not downloadable and I wasn't keen on paying international shipping.  The free, downloadable Plantain pattern was the perfect test run, and now I am reconsidering my stance!

In short: this pattern rocks. Clearly designed for a woman with hips (yay!), the top flares out at the hem, which also helps disguise muffin top.  The neckline is great, too.  Love it!

Until this point, I was not entirely convinced that making my own t-shirts was really worth it.  It's been like Goldilocks and the Three Bears...  My first t-shirt, Megan Nielsen's Briar, was not the right style for my shape (I've never actually worn it in public).  My second, Grainline's Scout, was a bit shapeless (which works in the woven version, but not so much the knit version, although that hasn't stopped me from wearing it).  Plantain: juuuuuust right.  So right that I just lay the pattern pieces on top of my polka dot knit Scout and might convert it to a Plantain.  

 Made from some cotton slub knit from Joann.  The only changes I made to the pattern were lengthening the sleeves slightly (I used the line created by taping the PDF pattern pages together- I probably added an inch) and sewing the neckband on with a smaller seam allowance (probably only 1/4"-3/8" inch rather than 5/8").  Also, check out my sweet twin needle hem below.  I adore how professional it looks!

PS: After seeing this t-shirt, Tim was overcome with jealousy.  A peanut butter and jealousy sandwich craving that can only be sated with a Thread Theory Strathcona t-shirt.

PPS: This might be the first time I have completed a sew-along garment during the time allotted for the sew-along.  Winning! 

Me Made May: Week 1 Round-up

Here's my wrap-up for Week 1 of Me Made May!

Grainline Studio's Scout Woven Tee

Who's combating a bout of homesickness with some serious crafting?  

*  This guy! *

I've had my eye on this pattern at Grainline Studios for a while now: the Scout woven tee.  It's so simple, so easy to make, and infinitely wearable.  You could dress it up or down, and although I imagine this tropical version I've made is more of a dress-down version, I am picturing a version in batik or ikat that could be worn for work with a cardigan or under a suit.  All of the various versions I saw online looked great... lace, flowers, polka dots, solid...  expect more of these from me!

 

This top was originally intended to be muslin for me to try out a new pattern, but now I think I kinda dig it for its vintage vibe.  I used some more fabric Martha hand-me-downed, left over from her '80s era Hawaiian phase (?).  I also employed some of the circa 1978 bias tape for the neckline... smells a little funny, but got the job done! I frenched all my seams, per this tutorial, and made slightly poofy sleeves by cutting the sleeves out one size larger than the body.  I think after making several garments over the last few months that I'm finally getting the hang of this sewing business. 

Shawties!

Sorry for the delay in posting... been hanging around with monkeys and orangutans in Sumatra.  To make up for it, I whipped up a bevy of toddler shorts (or shawties, if you will) in a fit of productivity after returning from my great Bukit Lawang trip.  

Two pairs of teeny Bubble Pocket Shorts (using the pattern from Elegance and Elephants), one made from the remnants of my favorite Tiny Pocket Tank (well, maybe my second favorite) and one made from the remnants of a purple flowered Scout Tee:

And two tiny pairs of simple cuffed shorts (using Simplicity 4203, same pattern I used for Zoe's flowered prairie dress) made in hand-stamped batik leftover from a couple Scout Tees:

Satu Lagi Batik Scout

I swear, for the first 4 months we lived in Jakarta, Tim only knew 2 words, "satu" and "lagi," which are conveniently useful for obtaining another beer when used together, as they mean "one more" or "another."

Well, it's satu lagi version of Grainline's Scout Tee for me... like some of the others I've made recently, this one is also made from batik from Jogjakarta.  I made it for Erin as a going-away gift (she and Mr. Ben just left for Bangkok this morning... sniff sniff...). 

Scout Making Machine

Seriously, I am a machine.  A Grainline Scout t-shirt making machine.  

I am my own sweatshop (minus the sweat because Tim insists on keeping the AC set to arctic).  

These batik babies are for Liz and Meghan, for dragging a ridiculous amount of random crap across the world for me.  Also because it's difficult to find pre-made bule-appropriate batik clothing here in Indonesia that a) fits and b) doesn't have a tragically located ruffle or comically large sleeves, I gotta make stuff myself.

This flowery, flowy number is for me, for our upcoming trip to Vietnam:

Pattern Review: Paprika Patterns Onyx Shirt

Hey all! Today I'm reviewing the newest pattern from Paprika Patterns: the Onyx Shirt.

More Meghansl

Yep, I am nothing if not loyal to a pattern that I like.  Ten thousand Scout tees?  Don't mind if I do.  One million Meghan peasant blouses and/or dresses?  Sure.

Here are three more Sis Boom Meghan peasant blouses to add to that total, all made as gifts. 

(As an aside, a shot of me wearing one of my Meghan blouses is up over on my other bloggy blog, if you're interested.)

One Meghan in a fun, summery red/pink/orange batik from Pasar Mayestik, made for Brewster (or Bruce as we call her now, usually pronounced "Brooooooooooose!"):

One Meghan in a black and white floral batik, which I think I bought at an Indonesian handicraft fair that Tim and I went to here in Jakarta.  This one is a Meghan for Meghan, and I have a selfie she took of herself looking cute in it that she will probably kill me for posting since she took it first thing in the morning, but I cropped it so her sleepy face isn't plastered about the interwebs...

This one is for Chaz, who recently became an old lady and now must exclusively wear purple.  JK... we picked out this fabric a couple years ago at Joann's and I never got around to making something for her with it until now.  But I got to test out my new serger when making this one!  Sergers rule!