I do not know quite how summer came and went so fast! Earlier, as summer appeared to stretch out endlessly before me, I had plans to tackle so much work ahead of time. Two brand new courses to teach this year? No problem — they will be done in their entirety by early August! Adding new technologies to existing courses? I’ll learn everything I need to know about all. the. technologies. by end of July! Hiring and training a team of people for a load of brand new positions? All bureaucratic paperwork and hiring will be complete and everyone will know what they’re doing before September! Ha. Do you know what *actually* happened? Me neither, but I suspect it had something to do with the mythical slowing-down-of-time-in-summer-to-allow-for-all-kinds-of-work-to-get-done not actually taking place as expected. And now I’m doing All The Work While Crying. I couldn’t trace this meme back to its original creator so with apologies to him or her, you’ll find me somewhere in the green & black area at the end of the status bar right now.
At least now I’m learning to incorporate the Fuck Off phase into my long-term strategic planning. 🙂
Anyway, I figured it was time to blog about this summer tee before all hope for wearing it is over.
This is Purl Soho’s Boxy Tee pattern. I purchased the fabric, a very lightweight woven rayon border print with flowers and roman coins, at Designer Fabrics on Queen Street West in Toronto. (Lately they’ve had a lot of ancient-Rome-themed fabric that I found hard to resist, as evidenced by this other blouse I made recently with a Roman theme.) For this Boxy Tee, I only used 2/3rds of a yard of the fabric, particularly because I used pre-made bias tape for the neck facing instead of making bias tape out of the fabric itself.
I highly recommend the pattern. It’s simple, quick, uses minimal fabric, and you don’t have to print out and tape together any pattern pieces (just one page that gives you a template for cutting out the neck). If you can measure out a rectangle or two, you’re good to go. There’s also a version that includes directions to add two ties at the waist that you could tie at the back for a bit of shaping. I think I might be regretting not including those on my version.
My modifications:
- I did not add sleeves. I just started by cutting the front and back pieces to have extra ‘flaps’ sticking out at the top sides where the armholes would be…that gives the look of a cap sleeve but built into the body.
- The pattern calls for two pieces sewn together for each of the front and the back, creating a horizontal seam. Instead I cut out one continuous piece for each in order to show off this amazing border-print fabric.
I’m thinking I should pick up this Roman Coins Bracelet I saw recently at the Pompeii exhibit at the Royal Ontario Museum to wear with it. What do you think — too much flashing of cash in one outfit?
I also have a little skirt in progress using the same fabric, but I’m kinda stuck on figuring out how to line it, so it may languish in my Work-In-Progress pile for while. (Never fear, I won’t be wearing them both together if I do ever finish the skirt.)
As summer comes to an end, I want to wish you Happy Real New Year, ’cause no matter how long you’ve been out of school, September always feels like the real deal when it comes to a new year.
Thanks for reading!
love the print! Forget the skirt & send me the fabric instead!
Nancy in sweltering NJ, USA
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Well, let me check how much I’ve got left. It’s not exactly subtle enough to make multiple clothes out of…I’m thinking the Tee and the skirt will do so I’m happy to send along the rest if there’s enough for you to work with.
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LOL…love that creative process timeline…lol lol.
Your top is just right for September wear! I actually like how the current fit of the top gives a very slight blouson effect to the back silhouette.
Happy Real Year back atcha!
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Thanks, Sue. I know!–I can really relate to that graph!
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I’m an enabler. Get the Roman coin bracelet! For that matter – buy two!! The top is gorgeous. Haven’t seen such a beautiful print in a long time. And it suits you so well. Love the matching cat bomber in the background. And the red shoes trying to make themselves known. The meme is hilarious. Haven’t we all been there?
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Careful, Barbara! You’ve got me thinking about it…
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Love the print and the bright colors in it just lovely. I think you did a great job .
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Thank you, Olga!
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I fully get what you say in this post. I operate in pretty much the same way. Love the print and it really stands out in that style. Go for the bracelet! Life is short and something pretty can make such a difference on a day that sucks! Lol😄
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Alright, SIUB, you and Barbara are bad influences! 😉 Enablers is right!
Also glad to know I’m not the only one who spends a lot of time “unconsciously considering” before getting down to business.
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LOL! ha ha ha ha ha ha – I needed that! Love the top and I’m staring trying to see those great red shows you’re wearing…
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Ha, glad you got a laugh!
You know, I hardly have any red at all in my wardrobe; It’s just not normally a colour I’m drawn to or feel good in. Red shoes, on the other hand — they just seem to work with everything. Those are gladiator style sandals by Fly London I’ve had for years. I wear them a TON and they’re like the Energizer bunny — they keep going and going and going. (I found a picture of them here http://www.cwomenshoes.com/2011/08/31/fly-london-lil-multi-strapped-flat-sandals/) I’m also currently looking for just the right red pointy-toe pumps.
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