Monday, January 6, 2014

Deer&Doe Plantain t-shirt (free pattern)

Pattern: Plantain t-shirt by Deer and Doe
Size: size 38, graded up to a 40 at the waist
Alterations: for the striped version, the sleeve length is inbetween the short and the 3/4 length.

Fabric: a striped cotton jersey and an unidentified knit, both purchased locally.

Happy New Year, guys! I hope everyone is well and ready to resume regular life after the Holidays (I know I'm not).

Today I'm very happy to present to you Deer and Doe's latest fatigue: the Plantain t-shirt! Oh, and it's a free pattern, yay! I mean, who doesn't love a free pattern?

I love the story behind the creation of this pattern, simple but powerful: Eléonore "just" wanted to create the perfect t-shirt for her body shape, flattering but comfortable. You can read the whole thing here (yeah, the Deer and Doe blog is now in English too!).

I usually like my t-shirts a little more fitted at the waist, because I don't have a problem with my stomach area, but I must say this style feels a little more relaxed and forgiving, and I like it a lot.
The low neckline (but not too low) is extremely flattering on curvier ladies like myself.
For my first couple attempts at this pattern I went stash bustin'.
This striped cotton jersey was perfect for the job, but I had a very small piece of it, so my sleeves ended up mismatched. Did you notice before I told you? I don't mind the effect at all, in fact I think it's cute.

The only alteration I did was to lengthen the short sleeves (or shorten the 3/4 sleeves, as you prefer) to elbow length, which as I mentioned before, is the one I wear the most and find most flattering on me.
In this photo, it looks like I have a huge sway back adjustment to do, but it's really just a combination of the hem being caught in my jeans pockets and me standing more straight than usual for photos.

For my second attempt I used this mystery knit (I don't know the composition) which I'm not really sure why I bought. I was probably attracted by the bird print, but it's just too crazy for me. It will probably go to my mum or be worn as a pajama top.
Anyways, it served its purpose, which was to test the longer sleeves version... with elbow patches! Ah, those elbow patches... I want to add them to everything! I didn't follow the instructions and made them in a woven and it works fine. They're definitely easier to sew this way.

For construction, I used my serger and a twin needle, but this pattern is very beginner-friendly and includes tips for those who are unfamiliar with knits and might not have a serger.

I hope many of you are going to try this pattern, especially those who are still unfamiliar with Deer and Doe. I'm definitely going to sew many more of these and try a few variations as well!


48 comments:

  1. Already downloaded! I love both versions but I have a penchant for stripes, Can't wait to sew this up! x

    ReplyDelete
  2. ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! so beatiful ! I love the game of stripes on the
    first and the style of the second of course ! happy new year wonderful
    girl !

    ReplyDelete
  3. I downloaded it first thing this morning when I saw the email but good to see a few versions before I dive into my stash. Stripes seem to work well and I have just the black and white stripe too.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh, I like it! I really like the bird print, too :) I've yet to try Deer and Doe, but with a free pattern what could possibly hold me back?

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love a free pattern, and I ALWAYS need Tshirts! Love your grey and yellow version, great fabric choice!


    www.made-inhome.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I so love the striped fabric you used to sew this up!!! And that bird print is fun too - I like the idea of adding woven elbow patches - just downloaded the pattern :) Thanks for posting your versions so quickly! :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love your striped version! Your creations are always so gorgeous... and I kind of really like the second one too, when styled inside a skirt : it's less busy than worn above it, and the colors suit you very well!

    ReplyDelete
  8. really lovely! I can't wait to try it out. Just need to buy a new printer! :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oooh, these are really, really cute! Can't wait to try this pattern!

    ReplyDelete
  10. A Stitching OdysseyJanuary 6, 2014 at 5:39 PM

    These are very cute on you Anna! I love the idea of a t-shirt that will accommodate my muffin tops ;o) Can't wait to give it a go!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am absolutely making this pattern! Love your prints you chose!

    ReplyDelete
  12. love it! I downloaded it immediately and look forward to using up all the knits in my stash! I actually like the mismatched stripe sleeves and the bird print is adorable! keep it!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Love the mis-matched sleeves!!! Will be sewing this up { VERY } soon.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Both of your versions are great - I think the mismatched sleeves look good! I've downloaded the pattern already and I'm hoping it will help me get over my fear of knits, which is my main sewing aim for this year!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Very cute! I hadn't discovered this pattern yet, and it's free!

    ReplyDelete
  16. English Girl at HomeJanuary 6, 2014 at 9:30 PM

    Both are lovely. I think I'll have to make the longer sleeve version as I love an elbow patch, but the short mismatched sleeves look great:)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Beautiful! And I really like the asymmetry of the sleeves!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love both your version so much! Thanks for writing about this pattern, I've downloaded it already!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Looks very comfortable and has nice lines. And that neckline IS flattering!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Both of your t shirts look great! The elbow patches are a nice touch, even if the shirt ends up in the pajama drawer.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Love love love! You've inspired me to get back on the sewing wagon! If only everything wasn't packed up in boxes...including the perfect fabric for this. Thanks for the inspiration! And thanks Eleonore for the pattern :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. I LOVE the bird print..i would give it a loving home ;-) you should do a giveaway! Happy new year x

    ReplyDelete
  23. Loving the look of this pattern & your rendition is very cute indeed! And SUPER excited to hear about the D&D blog in English.... is that your handiwork?

    ReplyDelete
  24. Very cute versions. I was pretty excited when I found this new FREE pattern!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I just started sewing and ended up on your blog while browsing around for inspiration on the Emery Dress. I really love your blog and I love even more that you're italian! I was starting to think that italians either don't sew or don't use the Internet :D

    ReplyDelete
  26. Ooh the grey and yellow one is lovely darling and the fit is just on the money.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Free patterns yay. I love both versions. I need to get more confident with knits and this looks perfect for a beginner.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I'm definitely going to try this pattern out. Thank you so much for posting it. Love the yellow stripes! Too cute!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I really love the bird print top...LOVE it! It'd also look fab with denim!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Great blog,
    i like the way you write the post.
    you have very nice collection.
    Thanks for sharing such a nice collection of buy t shirts online

    ReplyDelete
  31. Thanks for this, I downloaded and made it this morning, great shirt with a great shape.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Looks like a great top as a skeleton pattern, for both everyday wardrobe wear and embellishment! Love the unusual striped fabric you found to make it with too - very flattering.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Exactly, it's the perfect chance to try them! I'm sure you'll love it :D

    ReplyDelete
  34. This is the perfect pattern for it! You'll just need some practice and then I promise your fear will disappear! Another great pattern for beginners is the Lady Skater dress by Kitschy Coo!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Thank you for this kind comment, and good luck getting back to sewing! :)

    ReplyDelete
  36. I work with Eléonore as her translator, so yes, I did translate the pattern and the blog post :D

    ReplyDelete
  37. Eheh, free patterns are just the best :)

    ReplyDelete
  38. Thank you! There really are very few of us with sewing blogs. Another great one is Silvia (www.sewingprincess.com), go tell her hi :)

    ReplyDelete
  39. Thanks for the tip!
    You got yourself a very brand new (very harmless) cyber stalker... I've been spending the last couple of days reading old entries :D

    ReplyDelete
  40. Rachel @Sew Happily Ever AfterJanuary 15, 2014 at 3:53 AM

    how do you use your serger to finish seams without having it cute fabric? I just received one for Christmas and am still learning!! My neckline on my plantain isn't nearly as neat as yours!!!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Just like Rachel below I too got a serger for Christmas, and very interested to know how you did the neckline on your top! Did you serge the edges of the neck piece first and then just sew to the top using the double needle? I downloaded this pattern last week and just searching the web for those who have made it for inspiration and your yellow and grey version is definitely my favourite so far!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Hi Rachel, I did cut fabric with the serger and reduced the seam allowance to 6-7mm (1/4"). Then I pressed it downwards and topstitched with a twin needle. I used this method: http://blog.megannielsen.com/2013/02/briar-sewalong-neckline-band/
    I hope it helped!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Hi Tracey, as replied to Rachel, I used this method: http://blog.megannielsen.com/2013/02/briar-sewalong-neckline-band/. I hope it helps!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Oh my gosh this is fantastic! Thank you so much! Can't wait to try it this weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Hello, Nice post. The t-shirt is very good and looking so beautiful. Thanks for posting..

    Free T-Shirts

    ReplyDelete