Side Tie Tee, Burda 09-2019-115

I bought this lovely jersey fabric in 2018 at the Stratford PR Weekend, with this fun multicolour print that reminds me of coffee beans! And I know that at least two other PR members bought it at the same time :) But I have finally had time to find a pattern that could use it well. 

I picked up my favourite recent issue of Burda Magazine, the September 2019 issue. There are so many great patterns for me in this one! This easy tee was one I really wanted to try. It's basically a loose fitting, long sleeved tee, with the added detail of a tie attached to front and back left side.

I cut a 42/44 blend for this top, adding on a 1/2" seam allowance when cutting it out. I also ended up added another 1/2" or so to the sides at the hip, just to give myself some leeway, and I am glad I did. I love the fit.

The only issue I had with the fit was that I didn't check the neckline well enough before cutting. And it turns out that this is another wide Burda neckline. It was really wide on me, just at the edges of my shoulders. I thought about adding a little triangle of fill-in fabric to the neck edges, but then I tested an inverted pleat at the front, and liked the way that it pulled in both front and back necklines to sit nice and neatly on me. So I stitched it down -- it's almost perfect, I just have to press it flat so it sits smoothly. 

The neckline is finished with a facing, but I just cut a narrow one and turned into a bias facing. I didn't change the length of the top at all; while it's longer than the magazine image, I prefer my tops to the lower hip, not the high hip, so it works out perfectly for me. Just had to make sure that the waist line & tie were at the right spot before cutting; very little adjustment was needed. 

I am trying to get some more projects done while I am at home for the foreseeable future, because of the Covid-19 outbreak (my library is closed). I traced off four Burda patterns earlier this week, and have now made up one of them.

While I can't go out anywhere, I can get out into the sunshine in my yard. Today was bright and cold (I was a bit chilly here but needs must!) and the air was so fresh -- it was nice to get outside for a while and take photos. Have you been sewing more while you're at home? Projects that have been on your list for a while, or impulse sewing? Whatever you are making, stay happy and healthy, and stay home :)