Sunday 20 October 2013

Pleated Voile Scout Tee

I am WAY behind with blogging my completed makes. Well not really way behind with the blogging as I have got some posts written but I have been seriously lacking the opportunity of a time when both I and my ever so professional photographer are free when it's not raining or gloomy to get photos taken. Things are stacking up. I actually made this top right at the beginning of the heatwave towards the end of July. Another reason why this top in particular has taken so long to make it onto the blog is that I've been wearing it ALL the time so it's been in the wash during most photo taking opportunities; I can't say that that's a bad thing though, it must be my most regularly worn make to date!

Diary of a Chainstitcher Pleated Voile Grainline Studio Scout Tee Sewing Pattern

I'm usually the type of fabric shopper that looks for fabric for a particular pattern or project, usually with quite a good idea of what I am after. But on this occasion the fabric came first. I was browsing in Simply Fabrics in Brixton and this caught my eye, once I had a feel of it I couldn't resist buying some! It's a lovely soft cotton voile and the subtle random print is very 'me'. I can't remember how much exactly I paid for it but it wasn't a lot. On the journey home I schemed up a plan that it would be perfect for a simple top like the Grainline Studio Scout Tee which I have already made use of a few times before.

Diary of a Chainstitcher Pleated Voile Grainline Studio Scout Tee Sewing Pattern

The fabric is fairly sheer, especially in direct sunlight so after my first daliance with hacking the Scout Tee pattern (giving it a dipped hem and a bit more room around the armholes) I decided to play around with the pattern again to combat the see-through problem. I'd seen Claire from Errant Pear's lovely version on Kollabora for which she added pleats across the bust. This gives the perfect extra thickness of fabric and coverage in this area to make the top wearable on it's own.

Diary of a Chainstitcher Pleated Voile Grainline Studio Scout Tee Sewing Pattern

I'm always a bit wary of playing around with the paper pattern, whether it's for fitting or playing around with the design, as I haven't done a lot of this so lack confidence and as my sewing time is fairly limited anyway I'm always keep to just get on a sew something quick rather than get bogged down in complicated stuff. Altering the pattern to include these pleats was super easy though and actually really quick to do. I just drew lines across the traced pattern piece where I wanted the pleats to be and then used the 'cut and spread' method at these points. A couple of people at work have actually asked if I cut the pattern piece from a pre-pleated piece of fabric which I hadn't thought of doing, but I guess would work equally well!

Diary of a Chainstitcher Pleated Voile Grainline Studio Scout Tee Sewing Pattern

The top itself literally took a couple of hours to make one evening after a couple of hours spent adapting the pattern the evening before. My boyfriend couldn't believe it, he went out for a beer, came back and I had a new top! The fabric sat around for a little while after purchase but when the heat wave hit I realised I had hardly any clothes suited to doing a lot of running around London fabric shopping for work in those kind of temperatures and decided to get sewing quick so I had the top to wear with shorts the next day! It was absolutely perfect for the 30 degree plus temperatures (which felt like 40 degree plus on the train home at the end of the day!) and it has had a lot of wear layered up with cardigans and vest tops in the more typical British weather since.

Diary of a Chainstitcher Pleated Voile Grainline Studio Scout Tee Sewing Pattern

I've got plans to make many more simple tops like this with little variations like the pleats. I've just treated myself to the new Colette Zinnia skirt pattern and need some more plain but interesting tops I can wear tucked into it. I've been frantically pinning images on Pinterest of details I like on other handmade or ready to wear tops that I think I could add to or adapt the Scout Tee pattern to include. If your nervous like I am about getting creative with your paper patterns I think the Scout is a great verstaile basic to start with as there are no darts to work around and just three pattern pieces to play with. I'm planning to make another version of this so will take some pictures for a tutorial, then you've got no excuse not to give it try!

Diary of a Chainstitcher Pleated Voile Grainline Studio Scout Tee Sewing Pattern

24 comments:

  1. Ooooh, this is too cute! Love the idea of adding pleats to make something more opaque! Absolutely darling!

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    1. Thanks Sonja! I can't claim credit for the idea though, all thanks to Claire! I'm definitely making more of these!

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  2. This is a pretty little top. Love the pleats. I need to get me this pattern..

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    1. Definitely do Stephanie, it's a great versatile basic to play around with, no darts to complicate matters!

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  3. so cute! I love this style with the pleats, I know Named and Pattern Runway have some similar designs, but I like that you used the scout tee pattern b/c I actually have that one :) that fabric is very cool!

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    1. Give it a go! It's really not difficult! I did spy the Named version and really like it! I might try more with different widths or placement of the pleats

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  4. The pleats are such a good idea! The top looks fab.

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    1. Thanks Nicole! I love how they add a little bit of interest but still keep it quite basic

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  5. photos are always the hardest part of blogging I reckon. This is such a cute make, love the fabric!

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    1. Thanks Amy! They sure are, it feels like such an effort sometimes, I have to plan out when to do them and then the weather ruins all plans!

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  6. Oh wow Fiona this is so fantastic. My favourite post in a while and something I am definitely going to copy. I am looking for some cool t-shirt patterns but with interesting details, so this is def for me. I think although you made it in July, you can still wear it now and in winter under some blazers, cardigans etc. Looks so great!

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    1. O thanks so much love! Am pretty chuffed with this one. I'm really pleased that I managed to make something that I love and that is like the kind of thing I actually wear day to day, rather than just pretty dresses which might be a bit more fun to make! I really got into the drafting though and am looking forward to doing more. Looking forward to seeing yours!

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  7. This tee caught my eye, both the fabric & the pattern. { LOVE IT }.

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  8. What a lovely, simple & stylish solution for the opacity of the fabric. (I may have to steal your idea ;) !!)

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  9. ooh yes a tute would be great, I'd love to have a go at this! Your fabric choice is excellent, it is a lovely top. Have you posted it to the Grainline Flickr group, if you haven't you def should.

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    1. O thanks for the suggestion Nicki, I've added it now! A tutorial is still on my list of things to do...if I ever get to that point on the list!

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  10. Ooooh, pleated!!! I love how this adds to the design and this along with the floaty fabric creates some beautiful shape out of the boxy tee. I am also going to have to 'steal' this version, :) I think it would be much more flattering on my body type than the plain boxy tee.

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    1. O good please do steal the idea! The floaty fabric and added detail softens the shape a lot I think

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  11. I think it came out really, well the pleats look great! Don't be afraid to play around with patterns, it's much better when you can make them "yours" :)

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    1. I'm getting much better at doing it now Zoe! Just give it a go in a cheap fabric is my new moto!

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  12. I love this top! I love it so much I stole the idea and made my own version, which I also love http://suitingmyself.wordpress.com/2014/04/06/pleated-semi-sheer-tee-aka-blatant-idea-theft/

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    1. O what a compliment thank you! I aboslutely love the way you have pleated your version, thanks for pointing it out to me!

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