Once again, I'm just not sure what there is to say about the understandably popular Grainline Scout Woven Tee other than it's so darn perfect.
I love this so much that I put in on immediately and didn't stop wearing it for the rest of the day. It's made out of a butter soft silk from that local supply I'm doing my best to work through, and between that flattering drape, and that rose pink sheen that makes my skin glow, and the silky softness I think it's one of the most delicious garments I've ever owned. And this top prompted a bit of a revelation on the economy of home sewing: a meter of this silk (which was all the fabric needed for the top) cost £10, the pattern cost £8, and the thread maybe £2 max. Less than £20 for a luscious silk top, people! And I'm not even sewing my own clothes to be thrifty - I mean, I've bought cloth (on sale, obviously) from a shop with a Royal Warrant for goodness' sake, and it's still so much cheaper than shopping. My mind is officially blown.
Anyway, back to this top. Luckily, there was a moment of sunshine so I could get a couple quick photos of it before I spilled something all down my front. Which happens surprisingly often - next up on my list of sewing projects should be an adult-sized bib.
The only modifications I made were to grade down a size at the hip to tone the blousiness down a tad, and then to give myself a little more space at the back sleeve by grading up a size there and at the armhole as it felt a bit tight round the back of the sleeve when I made up my muslin. The sleeve feels really comfortable now, but while the top fits perfectly across the bust, it's a bit restrictive across the back when I reach both arms forward. In order to give myself more space at the back I'm not entirely sure what I should do. Would grading up yet another size at the back of the sleeve and armholes in the way I've already done help? Or do I need to do something to the back top pattern piece to add more fabric across my upper back? Any tips on adjusting that fit quirk would be hugely appreciated, because I really want to sew up many more of these!
I promptly wore it out to dinner with the husband last night. Paired with jeans, heels and gold jewellery, with a leather jacket casually thrown over the top, I've never felt more nonchalantly Parisian chic in my life. This top wins all the things on my style front, you guys. If ever I meet that genius Jen I might kiss her. Lady, you're duly warned.
OK! Enough gushing. Onwards, upwards...
This is a perfect top for spring and summer, I love the choice of fabric and color. And your french seams are great. I love a garment that looks as nice on the inside as the out.Great job, so well sewn.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm a total sucker for pretty insides. :)
DeleteThere's a good writeup with pics on The Fashionable Stitch on how to make those kind of adjustments
ReplyDeletehttp://www.afashionablestitch.com/2010/sewing/how-to-fit-my-body-pt-i/
Thank you SO MUCH for that link - it's exactly what I need to fix! Thank you times a million!
DeleteI have the same problem with a lot of tops when I move both arms forward. I've definitely seen other bloggers talk about broad shoulder and broad back adjustments but it might also be the cup size maybe? I love my scout tees but finding them a bit restrictive since I went up a cup size post-baby so that's why i wonder if that's the adjustment you need.
ReplyDeleteMy cups don't runneth over & the fit across the front is perfect. I think the link in the previous comment nailed it for me! I hope you find a fix that sorts yours out, it's such a lovely, wearable, versatile pattern.
DeleteNice work. I just love those French Seamed Sleeves, I need to learn how to do those!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Jen's tutorial is so clear and easy to follow - just give it a go from there.
DeleteBeautiful top! you call yourself a beginner? Ha! :-)
ReplyDeleteLike you, I am loving the grainline patterms. Something about them, they are SO well drafted. The Scout is basically my TNT woven fabric top pattern - I've made several.
And I'm working on a Hemlock now. I wish I could remember which blog I read this on, but some smart sewist said she cut the back of the Hemlock out twice and used for the front, too - because she wanted more of a boatneck. I tried it and it worked out great!
I *feel* like a complete beginner, which is what matters, right? So many new techniques to try, so many fitting alterations to learn about! But thank you. ;) And I think I'll be joining you in making several of these!
DeleteAnd thanks for the tip on making the Hemlock neckline more of a boatneck!
Oh, here it is: http://portialawrie.blogspot.com/2013/09/fo-my-hemlock-dress.html (Miss P used the back pattern piece to cut both the front and back pieces.)
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely gorgeous. I adore the colour and the set in sleeves are beautiful. I made a Scout a good while ago - I was similarly apprehensive about the loose fit, but I saw so many gorgeous versions that I just had to give it a go. The result was a disaster - it was way too big and looked awful, and I have never worn it. I probably didn't help that I made it in a quilting cotton, and accidentally made a size (or 2) too big as I forgot to remeasure myself before making it. I had sort of given up on the idea that it might work for me, but this makes me want to give it another go, maybe a drapier fabric would work better. I have to go into town today, I may just have to pop by darn it and stitch...I got some black silk from there to make a slip, and was incredibly tempted by some super soft pink stuff, but had no reason to buy it...I also regularly spill stuff down myself - if i'm wearing a light coloured top, and about to eat something messy, I often pull a hoody on over the top precisely to act as a bib!
ReplyDeleteFrom scoping out what comes up on a Google image search, I think these lurve a drapey fabric. I'd definitely give it another try! I hope the silk you got today sews up into a version you love. We might be top twins. ;)
DeleteThis is so pretty! Silk seems like the perfect fabric... hmmm, maybe I should make a silk version!
ReplyDeleteOoh, I'd bet you'd make a beautiful silk version! Your previous one helped inspire me to make this. :)
DeleteI've only made one Scout and loved it so I wonder why there hasn't been more. Those french seams on the sleeves - oh la la! I must give that a go. You chose such a gorgeous fabric for this, no wonder you feel so fabulous in it.
ReplyDeleteYour Scout tee is phenomenal! Such amazing fabric.
DeleteThat is really pretty and way cheaper than any RTW silk top I've seen!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It's a total bargain, isn't it?!
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