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Friday 25 April 2014

Yellow Stripy Mandy Boat Tee #2

My overlocker and I got together and whipped up this lovely, cozy Mandy Boat Tee using some fabric I picked up from The Fabric Cave last month.


The fabric was a little tricky to work with as it was quite stretched and the selvedges were nowhere near parallel. I spent about an hour crawling around on the floor trying to smooth out the fabric and line up the stripes...and I think I did a pretty good job *take that stripes* (just don't look too closely at the other side as things are a tad wonky over there).


With my first Mandy Boat Tee I lengthened it by 5"...probably a tad too long, so I just increased the hem on this by "two stripes worth", so about 3". Sadly, not quite long enough to cover my caboose in my favourite jeggings but if I can't see my butt jiggling about behind me sans long top then I can pretend it's not happening, right?

I'm also finding the neckline of my first Mandy Boat Tee a tad too high so I cut a small wedge out of the neckline this time around. Still a bit too high so I'll lower it more next time around (yes, there'll be a next time).


I made quite a wide hem (one stripes worth - loving the ease of measuring this "by the stripe") but stitched it down twice as I didn't want any bubbling.  I quite like the way this looks.


Things went a bit haywire with the sleeve hem as I was hurrying to finish the top so I could wear it out to coffee. I didn't stitch close enough to the edge to catch the sleeve hem down properly and the flappy edge was pretty annoying.

I already know that unpicking twin-needling is a bit of a pain (plus this fabric was prone to "fraying" and I didn't want to put a hole in it, so I just went around the hem a few times for some crazy "free style" stitching that I actually love.


I wore my new top out for coffee and I was loving myself sick the whole time! Despite being a tad too short in the butt region I felt really good in this top...it's slouchy, big and comfy and looks good with slim pants.  I so happy to be finally sewing things that I want to wear!


Go team Mel!

16 comments:

  1. You've done such a great job with this! It looks fabo!! I too struggled a bit with the grain and spent some time on my knees last week with it.. before I decided to leave it for another day. The fabric is worth it though and might pull it back out this weekend.

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  2. This top is a cracker! as you saw it's perfect with skinny pants and hoorah for free form stitching!

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  3. Yes indeed, go team Mel! Fabulous job and the top looks great on you...

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  4. Looks fantastic! Love the mustard and denim combo.

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  5. Go team Mel! Great top.

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  6. Great looking shirt! I must make something like this - would be great for layering in winter! Your stripe matching looks pretty awesome to me :)

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  7. These is all kinds of awesome! The stripes look amazing and Go Mel! with breaking out the overlocker, well done!

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  8. I'm pretty happy with this top and SO glad I got over my fear of the overlocker.

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  9. I showed those stripes who's boss didn't I?

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  10. Thank you! Team Mel is loving herself sick over this one!

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  11. Thanks Emma! I love the mustard with denim too...

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  12. Thank you! I'm so happy to have made something I really like (finally)!

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  13. I felt all Jackson Pollock with my stitching...just going with the flow.

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  14. How crazy stretched out of shape is this fabric....I shudder to think what the last owners put her through! Cannot wait to see what you make. No pressure :0

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  15. I love this Mel and I don't agree it's too short. I think it looks the perfect length on you! So chic. It was lovely to see yours as I'm about to cut out my first Mandy tee. Did you find the neckline wide? I was thinking I might narrow it down a little. I made Tessuti's Fave Top and it was too wide and tended to stretch even further. Hmmm

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  16. Catherine Alekna6 May 2014 at 22:01

    ooh i love this! what a great find, mustard stripes are totally a good look! Great work with twin needle even if there's two rows its ok!

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