When I read that the theme for this week was New To Me, there were several indie patterns designers which came in to mind. I wanted to try the Appleton Dress by Cashmerette after receiving a very successful one as part of the Hand Made Dress Swap. However, the Wanted Tee by Vanessa Pouzet had been on my To Do List for much longer, so I prioritised this, which is unusually sensible for me. I have never made any of her patterns before but I’ve read such good things about it on Instagram that I purchased it. It’s sold as being very flattering on the old décolletage and really feminine so I went for it!
Luckily for me, I work in a school, so it meant that I could ask one of our lovely French teachers to translate it for me. If you are interested I put these translations on my blog, as I couldn’t find them anywhere online. I also included a few tips which helped me! It’s quite a long post so I didn’t include it here but if you’re finding it tricky, please check it out. I don’t usually do tutorials but I got so stuck with it that I thought it might help others out.
I thought that this would be a quick and successful sew, everyone says how easy it is and the jersey I had chosen felt pretty thick and stable. I knew there would be quite a bit of precision involved and whilst I felt pretty comfortable with this, I chose a plain jersey so that I didn’t have to worry about pattern matching too much for my first try at it. I got this from Leeds market as part of Sew Up North and it was a bargain. I bought one and a half metres so that I would have a lot to play with.
The PDF is a breeze to put together and it has very few pieces. I cut them out precisely, made a start and that is pretty much where it started to go wrong. I couldn’t work the neckline out at all! I really tried to follow the translated instructions. I was getting increasingly frustrated when I looked around the internet and everyone was saying that it was a really easy top and they had just ‘whipped up another’, whilst I couldn’t get my head around it at all… Sometimes that is the way on my sewing journey, but I find these challenges is how I have improved over time so it’s not always a bad thing to be stuck!
I sewed the neckline in place at the front and cut into the corners as it says but I couldn’t get it to line up at all. At this point, I have been reduced to a red faced maniac shouting ‘where do I stitch?!’ at French instructions. Watching his usually, highly- logical and sensible wife become a frantic wreck in front of him, my husband had a further route around the cavern that is the internet and found me this tutorial by Stitch My Style on Youtube, which helped a lot!
Anyway I unpicked the front band and had to re-cut the front bodice because I had cut too deeply in to the corners (thank God I bought extra!) I later learnt that I had sewn along the fold line and not along the edge. Sometimes a little time away helps to return me to the calm, relaxed seamstress I imagine myself to be!
I began again, this time matching the band along the front and sewing at one centimetre along the top of the band and it came together. I took pictures of it as I did to help with the tutorial and this actually seemed to help my understanding of it.
Thank goodness – now that I have a completed T-shirt I can completely see why people were saying it’s easy. It does come together really quickly and I’m so proud of my neckline! Sewing with jersey is relatively new to me and I’m so pleased it worked out and helped me to learn. It doesn’t need much fabric either, which is great.
Despite my problems, I wouldn’t be scared of trying another French pattern and I will definitely be trying another one of these. I might even brave a patterned fabric next time!
It’s definitely made to be tucked in, it is too short to wear otherwise but I like it tucked in to my black skirt and I could probably pick out the green in some patterned skirts I have. I do think it’s very flattering so I would lengthen it next time I make it. It would be great in the long sleeve length for autumn/winter.
Agree, the end result is va-va-voom 🙂 You are brave to persevere with a French pattern – there are so many interesting French designers but my French is so rusty I’m a little nervous to give them a try. Might have to try this one using your handy tute!
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Thanks very much. ☺ you should, it’s well worth it. It’s a great staple to have!! 😁
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Your neckline looks very well executed – I can imagine it was a bit of a conundrum to sort out. Love the green – very underrated as a colour.
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Thanks. I know, I don’t wear it enough but I loved this and had to get it. So glad I worked it out! Thanks for your comments
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You picked the right pattern out of them all. This neckline is very unique and the colour is perfect on you. Just lovely!
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Thanks so much. I do like green, my mum always dressed me in green as a child. I’m so pleased with the neckline in the end! Thanks, as always x
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I’ve been wanting to make this for a while now, and your gorgeous version makes me want it all the more…
How accurate would you say the sizing is? I’m a bit above the measurements of the biggest size, so I’m wondering if I could try it without resorting to mathematics…
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I was above the measurements too and just cut in as if there was another pattern line, the same width as the others and it fits fine. I might take it out a bit more next time but more for my comfort than because of issues with fit. I hope you’ll give it a try because it is a nice top which is a bit different.
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That neckline looks exceptional! Well done for persevering 🙂
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Thanks. Worth it in the end!!
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Well done on sorting it all out; that’s one great looking neckline!
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thanks – It was so worth it in the end! 🙂
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Boom! Love this, very sexy and fun. Might have to whip one up myself. (Will refer to your tute!)
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Thanks, yes, it is a bit isn’t it?! Looking forward to making a patterned one. You really should! I hope it’s useful to you.
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Perseverance pays off! It looks lovely on you – looking forward to seeing future versions and may take a look at the pattern myself!
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Thanks. Yes, definitely worth it in the end. I’d recommend it, it’s pretty quick once you get it, I’m sure most experienced sewists would! 😁
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Love it! I like the neckline too, different!
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looks great….well done you or perservering. Isn’t it great when you conquer a new technique and add it to your skills!
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I have also been wanting to make this top. Well done. You have inspired me to buy this pattern and make one myself. Your instructions look good too. Excellent!
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That’s great news! I thought I maybe sounded like I was having a bit of a moan about it but it is a great pattern in the end. Please feel free to screen shot the translations on my blog, they will save you a bit of time I hope. Thanks a lot, I hope it can help you. Check in with me if I can help at all. ☺
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Thank you. I will screen shot. Very good idea. I will get back in touch if I need help that is very kind of you!
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What a lovely neckline! Glad you figured it out in the end. Have you tried the sewing translator app? Not sure it would’ve helped in this instance but maybe something to keep in mind if you see more foreign patterns.
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Thanks, me too! 😁 no, I’ve never seen it. I’ll check it out. I’m lucky here as I have language teacher friends so I’d definitely not rule them out!
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Real people to translate would definitely win over an app
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