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Rebecca Page Patterns recently released a Toronto Tee pattern for FREE –
https://rebecca-page.com/product/ladies-tshirt-sewing-pattern/?affiliates=211
So, of course, I needed to sew it up right away – I mean, who doesn’t need a few more t-shirts, right?!
The pattern itself is a quick and simple sew. Standard front, back, sleeves, neckband. It should be mentioned though that the fit of this shirt isn’t a fitted style t-shirt – it’s a loose, boxy styling. With that said, you are going to want to consider your fabric choice when making the top. Anything structured like a cotton lycra is going to hang differently and accentuate the boxiness, where anything with some good drape like a rayon spandex, bamboo, ity are all going to drape a lot nicer.
The shirt works up really quick. There is a front pocket option too that you can put on or leave off.
I did this one in an ity fabric and did the front pocket:
Then a solid one without the pocket:
But then I had an idea pop into my head that I just had to try:
And boy do I LOVE the way it worked out! I decided to add a little something extra to the top and did an open lace back to it. I had this lace embellishment already, and I already had the top done, and I had this idea that was not going to leave my head until I at least tried it out.
So, I took the top, laid it out on the floor, laid my lace embellishment piece on it where I thought I’d want it and started pinning like crazy. I made sure the top of the lace piece was going to be sewn in the same place that my neckband sewing was already done just so everything would line up nicely and it wouldn’t look like an afterthought (even though I’m sharing with you that it really was! lol!). Carefully pinned all the way down and around the lace piece and then slowly sewed it onto the back. At this point I really debated on just leaving it as a lace overlay or if I wanted the open lace back look, so I tried it on a couple times and although I think it would have looked great either way, I decided to really spice it up and open that back area. Super easy – the fabric isn’t going to fray, I’ve done some great stitching so nothing is going to pull out or anything, so I flipped the shirt inside out, did a little snip in the center (being very careful to only cut the fabric and not cut into the lace piece) and then just carefully snipped away the fabric close to the stitching (but not cutting into the actual stitching) all the way around the inside of the lace piece. That’s it…. nothing too fancy or complicated – just a tad bit time consuming with the pinning, slow stitching around the piece and then the slow snipping so you don’t cut into your actual lace.
And this is the end result:
When I first started sewing the original top, I wasn’t quite sure how I was going to like the boxy style fit…. it’s just not something I’m generally drawn to. Even after sewing up the crazy print one, I still wasn’t completely sold on it – I mean, I love that top in particular just because it’s so fun and funky and I knew I’d wear it, but I wasn’t sure that I’d end up making more. I’m glad that I tried it out again and did something a little different with it. Honestly, I don’t know that I would have actually worn the solid top if I left it alone, but now I know I’m going to be wearing it quite a bit. It actually gave me a little more excitement about this pattern too because I’m thinking about other little hacks that could be fun – like just adding some fun embellishments without open back and things like that because the top is a great base for doing some fun things.
And this one I added an embellished front –
For this one, the applique was a premade piece (all these tops and lace/appliques were from the same place that will be listed below). Before sewing the top together, I pinned my applique to the front piece and slowly sewed around the entire applique, then put the top together. I know “skulls” aren’t quite everyone’s thing, so I completely get if you aren’t a fan of this top, but I’ve gotten so many darn compliments on this one it’s a little crazy – almost makes you not want to wear it out in public because I’ve been stopped several times asking about it! Lol!
If you aren’t sure you’ll like the style/fit, I’d say it’s a free pattern – give it a try. Not really much to lose if you aren’t thrilled at the end because really you end up with a top either way – if you don’t care for how it looks, use it for a pj top! Lol! But just know that you can easily spruce it up with a couple little embellishments or fun details too and do something a little different that may make you like something that you really didn’t think you would.
If you haven’t grabbed your free pattern yet, it can be found here:
https://rebecca-page.com/product/ladies-tshirt-sewing-pattern/?affiliates=211
The fabric for all of these tops, the back lace piece, and the skull applique were all from here:
If you haven’t shopped at Knitpop for fabric before, they ship super quick, they have a great clearance section and often run some good sales, and BEFORE you place your first order, make sure to sign up for their free rewards program – it adds up quick, especially if you like to stock up on fabrics during sales and stuff.
Thanks for hanging out with me today and reading along to my ramblings. If nothing else, hopefully I’ve sparked a little of your own creativity and got some ideas going with things you can do to either this or any other top pattern just to make it more of your own and something you are really going to enjoy wearing!
Have a Sewtastic Day!
My Sewtastic Life 