Finished - a Geneva in wool

Just a quick one to share a couple of my latest basics. As you know I love me some basics, and with the change of season comes wardrobe reassessments, and the need to downgrade and replace some everyday items. This is the Named Geneva raglan tee. I was drawn to this pattern by those lovely curved shoulder seams. I know raglans are definitely more a casual style, especially if made in contrast fabrics, but I thought it was worth a crack in some nice wool knit and I'm very happy with it. It has a few little details that definitely elevate it above the casual. I do wish I'd worn a different bra for these pics, but meh. 



The pattern was quick, came together well and is great value as a download. This is the second Named pattern I've made, the first being a disastrous Tyler shirt from their first collection. Most of their patterns come layered, meaning normally tracing is essential, but this one isn't making it a quick and easy construction of the PDF. The only slightly annoying thing is the sizes are divided into different files, meaning you get 2 sizes per printout making it hard to grade if your two sizes are in separate files - I measured in at the 38 for the bust but had a sneaking suspicion my muffin top would need more room, and the 38 is paired with the 36. It was easy enough just to add a little extra room to the side seams, tapering up to nothing at the bust point.

 

The sleeves have little darts, which I have seen in a few raglan patterns now. It does help to add some shape, but over the day mine seemed to move down my arms a little giving a little pucker. I do have narrow shoulders, and it may also be related to the neckline stretching out a little. The next one I shall make with a tighter neckband (it's inserted in the round and I think that's a method that doesn't take into account stretch variation in fabric - this wool needed a very firm steaming and talking to to get the neckline to sit flat) and if that doesn't fix the issue I'll probably shorten the length of the darts next.

It all came together beautifully. The instructions are very comprehensive, and it's worth noting that the seam allowances are 1cm. It's specifically pointed out in the general instructions to ensure SEAM LINES are lined up as well as notches - this is really important with the raglan sleeves as they are all super weird shapes and angles - if you match up the fabric edges you'll have a neckline that is pretty disastrous.


I squeezed this out of a metre of fabric by cutting the sleeves a little shorter and adding some bands for the extra length. The length in the body is perfect for me, and I was pleased with my extra hip room but probably could have got away without it.

So I think it's a winner. The other fancy raglan I made a long time ago was this Burdastyle one - despite the crummy neckline I've had heaps of wear out of it and I think I'll give it another spin this winter too in a nice woolly knit - I think my neckband skills have improved in 2 years!

And now for something completely different.... actually it's not. It's another striped Mandy tee. Yawn, I know.....


But wait..... there's a little party going on in the back.... check it out!



Cute, right? I got the idea from this pic off Pinterest. It was very easy - drew a keyhole slit, cut, traced a facing, wedged the ribbon between the layers, sewed the facing, top stitched, then finished the neckline as the pattern directs.

The ribbon does sit a bit wonky at times, and to avoid it unravelling I stitched it together flat, then just tie it before putting it on (the neckline is so wide it doesn't matter that it doesn't stretch). Despite the overpriced PRINTED (grrr) stripes I love it. I was desperate to make it so I settled for whatever stripes I could get. What can I say? I'm an addict.



Comments

  1. I looooove the party in the back !!! that is so cute - and of course I love the stripes. It is not really fair for the Named tee to get published next to the striped Mandy even if it seems a very nice pattern and tee it sort of losses some next to the other ;)

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    1. Haha you think Mandy stole the show? I know it was cheeky sneaking it in but not really worthy of a post by itself!

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  2. Ooh, that pink is a gorgeous colour on you! I really like the way Names do raglan sleeves, they're just more flattering and interesting than most raglans. The stripey top is awesome as well, you can never have too many stripes...

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    1. Thanks - I was definitely tempted after seeing your named hoodie!

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  3. I love that bow at the back, what a cute surprise, very chic.

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    1. Thanks Jo - it turned out surprisingly well!

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  4. Cute tees.
    Great work with lengthening the sleeves with bands. I would never have thought to do that.
    Also the striped Mandy looks like it's going to be so versatile in the cooler weather and the cute bow is a "bow-nus" :-D

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    1. Thanks Vanessa - it's my old tight-arse-squeeze-something-out-of-less-fabric trick. You just need to make sure your bands are a little narrower than the garment so you get that nice snug fit!

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  5. Totally cute and functional! I love raglan sleeves but the Papercut Pattern raglans are rather baggy around the armpits - your one looks like it fits beautifully. I just checked out the Mandy Tee. It's free! It's starting to get cold here and I need to get started on some long sleeves myself.

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    1. Yeah I'm very happy with the fit. And get on the Mandy Train for sure - make sure you do some narrowing of the neckline - it'll swim on you as you're so tiny. I took out a couple of inches at the centre front to begin with and sometimes I taper the side seams in too - I did for this one, for a less boxy look. But it's a smashing patten, I've made at least 5 and have another one in planning stages.

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  6. Now that is a lovely basic! And a beautiful colour on you :) I do like the sleeve seamlines on the Geneva; it's always so satisfying to finds basics with a point of difference like that. Very cute touch with the bow on Mandy...isn't Pinterest wonderful?! I have the Mandy pattern downloaded and printed but haven't quite got to it yet... so many projects, so little time!

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    1. Thanks Danielle - it's such a nice dusty pink. I'm hearing you about projects - I've got PDFs printed off everywhere... It's chaos in A4...

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  7. Gah! Stripey top with bow in back! I love it!

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  8. They look kinda fabulous. But that map in the background is stealing SO much thunder. It's wicked!

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    1. Thanks Liz - it's very cool isn't it? My first wedding anniversary gift from the husband (meant to be paper, but he decided canvas would do just as well!).

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  9. I absolutely love the striped t-shirt especially the cute back closure. I also like the first t-shirt, but wonder if it would benefit from a full bust adjustment to loose the slight wrinkling under the arm.

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    1. Thanks Gail! I must admit I've never done a full bust adjustment on anything.... I've often got those wrinkles on fitted knit tops, especially the Renfrew.... I shall have to do some investigating, being a raglan might it be tricky? Thanks for the advice! Really appreciate it!

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