Off the Clock

I'm not very happy with two recent tops I've made. Both of them have bust details and both of them look a little... frumpy. When comparing them to my standard tee they definitely left something to be desired. If I can't feel good wearing them I won't wear them. So I pulled out my pattern for NL6735 and started hacking away. First I decided to have at New Look 6940 .  I began by taking in the sides to match 6735 which meant taking it in by more than an inch each side for a total of 4".  This really helped keep the empire seam where it is supposed to be instead of it riding up.  Then I shortened it by about 4".  I probably should have only chopped off 3" but it's done now and I can live with it.  I think it is much better proportioned. Then, feeling inspired, I decided to take New Look 6977 in an inch each side, again for a total of 4".  And again, the bust gathers seem to sit better without riding up so much.  Not to mention that...

I decided it was time to try out a new tee.  I have been having so much success with New Look 6735  that it's hard to switch over to something untried.  I wanted to try this particular pattern because I thought the raglan sleeve would be a good opportunity to use up some scraps from previous tees, so technically this tee is a freebee.  My final verdict?  Meh. I think the gathers in the front should be lower - centered over the bustline instead of running to the neckline.  IF I were to make it again I may just leave those out entirely and redraft the neckline. The raglan sleeves are too big and gapey (is that a word?).  This is a common complaint of this pattern at Pattern Review .  I tried to compensate by sewing a vee into the underarm seam similar to the dart at the neckline.  This resulted in a wierd bulge underneath that remains hidden as long as I don't raise my arms for anything.  Sigh.  On her version my mom tried to...