Childrens' Collection #2/ Model # 9 - 2013
Girls T -Shirt
FYI: This pattern also appears as the last model in Supplement #284 from 2012.
This T-Shirt is for my ten year old niece, I'll call her K. As you can see, the pattern is suggested for 4-8 year olds but my K is very thin and petite so I can usually get away with a slightly younger pattern. I did notice though, as this top languished away on my sewing table, that K has all of a sudden sprouted tiny boobs. I may need to start using the teen patterns and just scale down. Up until now I have had great success with using a pattern for younger girls and adding several inches to the length.
Pattern Drafting Hints:
The back view for this pattern indicates a center back seam with a keyhole opening.
Fabric Used/Suggested:
The body of the T-Shirt is a poly/cotton interlock and the sleeves are a remnant of cotton /lycra left over from a summer skirt. I would suggest a fabric with at least some crosswise stretch for this top just for comfort and wearability for a child.
Design Changes:
As mentioned above I eliminated the center back seam and closure at the neck on this top. Because of this change I also had to abandon the facings since the understitching required to keep them inside also negated any stretch left in the neck hole. I initially attached the facings to the neck but soon realized K's head would never fit through that hole without the opening in back.
I'll admit this T-Shirt did spend a short while in the waste basket until I suddenly thought of a solution. I ended up cutting off the facings and used a satin edge elastic instead. Since the front of this top is gathered I still needed to use the facing patterns to determine the length for the elastic.
I turned my tape measure on edge to measure the edge of the facings that should attach to the neck edge. I cut the elastic at a 1:1 ratio, according to the facings, to fit the neck and then marked the center front, center back and the points at which the front should gather. The elastic was sewn at the 1:1 ratio all around the back neck and when I got to the gathered area I just stretched the elastic to fit the gathers.
The elastic did need a tiny zig zag top stitch to keep it from flipping to the outside. Although the look is not the same as the original fashion drawing I'm still pleased with the outcome. I know K will appreciate the ease of wearing that the elastic neck provides.
Closing Tips:
You may remember the tip I used from my last post on hemming my knit dress with fusible knit interfacing. See the tip at the end of this post.
Well, I couldn't afford to lose any length on this top so I opted for fusible thread instead.
I used fusible thread in the lower looper of my serger to create a similar fusible hem on the inside of this T-Shirt. When the hem is pressed up, right at the edge of the overlock stitches, the hem is neatly fused to the underside and I just finished with the same tiny zig zag top stitch that was used at the neck. I have found this to be a great alternative to a narrow coverstitch when the fabric refuses to stay pressed.
If you have any questions or comments about our reviews please post them to the comments section below. We'd love to help you get the most out of your Lutterloh patterns too!
Happy Sewing and Happy Holidays from Ann and Fonnell!
So glad you are posting again!
ReplyDeleteNice! Very nice! I love the new look and this post will be so helpful to let people know Lutterloh is so versatile!!!
ReplyDeleteHow timely for me, a great post and appreciated. I am working on #19 (I think - I managed to misplace the page) for my little daughter. She needed some cozy warm tops to go with some fleece pants. I looked at this pattern but decided it also was to fussy for her with the closure and needed lighter weight fabric. I measured her head circumference, the neck opening and the material stretch thought I was fine - then found out the hard way the stretch is negligible when you sew in and cover stitch a facing. She could just squeeze it on with lots of tugging. With some effort I have stretched it bit without tearing the stitching and it works....just. So, hmmm any advice on knits w/out neck closurers and facings. I'll do some practice finishes next go - just thought I would ask. Thank you and Happy Holidays. G Smith
ReplyDeleteHi G. Smith,
ReplyDeleteSorry for the delayed response. I was in the mountains with no internet over the weekend. I have noticed lots of Lutterloh patterns recommended for knits use a facing finish. Because I detest facings on knits I almost always find an alternative. I have been using the above mentioned satin edge elastic often but have also used a rib knit, a fold over elastic or a self binding with good results. The important point to remember is the neck opening must be large enough to start with. The elastic or knit binding is only there to help the fabric recover its shape after stretching over the head. If the neck hole isn't large enough I have been known to cut a deeper scoop to compensate. It may change the finished look just slightly but we all know children don't like to struggle with their clothes. In the case of my niece its either easy or she just won't wear it. If you come up with any other finishes that work I'd love to hear about them. Happy Sewing and Happy Holidays,
Ann in Calif.