Showing posts with label Scout Woven Tee. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scout Woven Tee. Show all posts

Sunday, 10 April 2016

Sophie Scout Tees

My friend Sophie lives in Hong Kong and pops back to the UK every 6 months or so. She usually stays at our house for a day or two and on the past two occasions she has kindly gifted me two metres of soft cotton printed fabric that she bought all the way from Hong Kong.

The first metre of fabric is a fabulous 1950's style print. The base colour is a dark blush rose with highlights of black, navy and burnt orange.


The second fabric is an awesome print of a famous Andy Warhol Campbell's soup can print which has been in my stash since Sophie's previous visit in the summer of 2015.


With a metre of each fabulous fabric I turned to my favourite simple top - the Grainline Scout Woven tee.

I know exactly how to make these now without referring to the instructions. I needed to interline the garment with some white cotton batiste which I got from Fabric World on Goldhawk Road for £3.50 a metre. I used just under a metre for each top - so in theory these Scout tees only cost me £1.75 each discounting the gifted fabric, time and thread to make them! Bonus.

In terms of construction, they were French Seamed throughout. Self-bias tape on the neckline. Simple rolled hems on the sleeves and main body. I lengthened the sleeves by about 40cm on the 50's print version and by 20cm on the Campbell's print version. I really love them both and look forward to wearing them in the spring.

A big thanks to Sophie who had such a good eye for these fabulous prints in the first place!









Pattern: Grainline Scout Woven Tee = Free (used so many times now)
Shell Fabric: Two metres of Cotton Lawn gifted by Sophie = Free 
Lining Fabric: Two metres of Batiste from Goldhawk Road = £3.50
Gutterman Thread: White and pink from stash

Total for two tees: £3.50

Monday, 4 April 2016

Liberty Scout Tee

I love the simplicity of the Grainline Scout Woven Tee. I have adapted the pattern to fit really nicely after five previous Scout's this is my sixth version of this popular garment.
The beautiful metre of Liberty Tana Lawn was gleaned in the January Sales at a 50% discount.
Got to love a bargain!


I made the following changes to the tee:

  • Due to a cutting error I have a seam down the front of the top - luckily due to the busy nature of the Liberty print it is not noticable
  • Shaped centre back seam to reduce excess fabric
  • French seam construction throughout
  • Lengthened the sleeves by extending by about 6cm
  • I created a longer hem at the back and made a little split feature in the sides
  • Inspired by Elle at Laura Loves Pugs I used silver bias-binding for the neckline




Monday, 21 December 2015

Grainline Scout tee in Knit!

Yeah! This is my first ever successful knit garment and I am now beginning to wonder why I was so worried about sewing with jersey fabric. I can only put my nervousness down to some not-so-fun experiences 'trying' to make garments with knit fabric in the 1990's.


Back to my new top. The success is down to the lovely Girl Charlee UK fabric which I won in the raffle at Sewbrum in October and secondly down to the great TNT pattern that is the Scout tee from Grainline. If you are familiar with Jen's Grainline patterns this simple tee shirt is originally designed for woven fabrics but I cut it out in the knit and sewed it with a generous seam allowance.

So how did I overcome my aversion to knit? Every month I attend the Freestyle session at Ray Stitch and the lovely tutor Moyna gave me a few easy pointers about how to sew knit with confidence:
  1. Use a ballpoint needle
  2. Use a small zig-zag (setting 2)
  3. Use a 2.5 stitch length
After experimenting with scraps of fabric I realised I had to just dive in. In terms of construction as this was my sixth Scout tee I knew what I was doing. As I was sewing with a knit I chose to sew the sleeves flat.

I free-styled the length of the sleeves and also added a cuff to finish the hems. I also widened the self-bias neck binding so it created a deeper cuff. I top-stitched using a zig-zag (I'm not 100% happy with). Overall I love it!

Have you ever overcome a sewing nemesis?

I have not hemmed it because I haven't decided on the length yet



The neckline with a deeper cuff and top-stitched with a small zig-zag stitch
The sleeve cuffs - I managed to aline with the sleeve seam perfectly - what a fluke!

Friday, 22 May 2015

Me-Made-May 2015 Week 4


A great collection of colours this week. As my original pledge was to wear me-mades from Monday to Friday I 'over-achieved' with 6 days this week!

I included last Sunday's Everyday skirt in the round-up as the weather was pretty sunny in London. I stupidly sewed through the end of my thumb whilst finishing this skirt in a rush to wear it hence the rather attractive white plaster on my thumb in many of the photos this week.

Needless to say the rest of the week was considerably cooler weather wise hence the mega-layering going on.

Day 17
Vest top: Gap
Skirt: Liesl & co Everyday skirt - me-made 2015
Shoes: White Birkenstock

Day 18
Top: Colette Sorbetto - me-made 2015
Top: Gap long sleeved tee
Trousers: Gap
Cardigan: Gap
Necklace: Marimekko
Shoes: Paul Smith black patent Marcello loafers

Day 19
Top: Silk tee David David
Skirt: Sew Over It Tulip skirt - me-made 2014
Leggings: Warehouse
Shoes: Paul Smith black patent Marcello loafers

Day 20
Top: Gap long sleeved tee
Cardigan: Gap
Skirt: Sew Over It Tulip skirt - me-made 2014
Necklace: Tatty Devine 2013 sample sale
Leggings: Warehouse
Shoes: Paul Smith black patent Marcello loafers

Day 21
Top: Grainline Scout Woven tee - me-made 2014
Top: Gap long sleeved tee
Trousers: Gap
Cardigan: Gap
Scarf: Marimekko
Shoes: Paul Smith black patent Marcello loafers

Day 22 - Animal Theme
Top: Top Shop silk dress cut into top after shrinking in the wash - me-modified 2015
Cardigan: Gap
Skirt: Marimekko sale 2014
Necklace: Tatty Devine Parakeet workshop - me-made 2015
Shoes: Paul Smith purple Dante brogues

When I compare this year's MMM with last year I am finding the daily challenge of choosing outfits so much easier because I have more to choose from. I have noticed that I have worn 100% separates so far this month which is interesting especially considering I seem to have lots of dress pattern in my stash that I never get around to making like the BHL Flora, BHL Anna, Deer & Doe Belladone... the list goes on!

I recently read Sophie from Ada Spragg's post 'Love to sew v love to wear' which totally resonated with me after realising how much I lust after dress patterns but in reality (as evidenced so far in MMM) ONLY  wear separates. Maybe it's because I haven't got round to busting out those gorgeous dress patterns and actually made one that is skewing the results?! To be realistic I have only got three me-made dresses to choose from anyway!

How is your Me-Made May coming along?
Have you noticed any similarities / gaps in your me-made wardrobe?
Are you fed up of asking other people to take your daily photo or had enough of selfies?
Or are you still enjoying the challenge?

Friday, 15 May 2015

Me-Made-May 2015 Week three


The third week of Me-Made-May 2015 and I have really enjoyed wearing some of the newer items in my wardrobe that I have made recently (Day 11 and Day 13).

Day 11
Top: Colette Laurel top - me-made 2015
Trousers: Gap
Scarf: Marimekko
Bangles: Marimekko
Shoes: Paul Smith Tan Marcello loafers
Jacket: Top Shop (2010 sale)


Day 12
Top: Grainline Scout Woven tee - me-made 2014
Trousers: Gap
Shoes: Paul Smith black patent Marcello loafers

Day 13
Top: Gap
Necklace: Marimekko
Shoes: Paul Smith Tan Marcello loafers
Leggings: Warehouse

Day 14
Trousers: Gap
Necklace: Tatty Devine
Shoes: Paul Smith tan Marcello loafers

Day 15
Trousers: Gap
Necklace: Tatty Devine
Shoes: Paul Smith tan Marcello loafers

I have really enjoyed wearing my me-mades this week.
Compared to last year I have many more options to choose from despite auditing some of my me-made garments to the charity shop. The only thing I wasn't 100% comfortable with was my Tilly blouse - a tweak with the sleeves is a must if I am to keep this in my wardrobe.

How are things with your Me-Made-May?

Saturday, 9 May 2015

Me-Made-May 2015 Week two


Here is how week two looked with two new me-made items in the mix.

Day Five
Trousers: Gap
Necklace: Marimekko
Shoes: Paul Smith Tan Marcello loafers

Day Six
Top: Gap
Cardigan: Gap
Necklace: Marimekko
Shoes: Paul Smith Black patent Marcello loafers

Day Seven
Trousers: Gap
Cardigan: Gap
Shoes: Vans

Day Eight
Shirt: Gap
Cardigan: Gap
Shoes: Paul Smith Black patent Marcello loafers

Day Seven
Top: American Apparel
Skirt: Me-made 2015 and yet to be blogged about
Leggings: Warehouse
Shoes: Vans

On Day 5, I was happily surprised at how comfortable my new Simplicity 1364 top was and I think this is probably down to the soft and forgiving Liberty Tana Lawn it is made in. 

My favourite outfit this week was on Day 6. The Dolores Pocket Skirt is a very well constructed pattern with a shaped waistband and pockets (that I made bigger for comfort and extra 'stuff-stashing' possibilities) I also paired it with my favourite Marimekko necklace.

Onto Day 9 with my self-drafted skirt. I purchased this amazing Japanese print fabric for £10 in the sale at Ray Stitch in 2013 and have been dreaming about making a skirt like this for a while. Although I adore the fabric, I am not 100% convinced that this style of gathered skirt onto a straight waistband is that flattering on me. I will give it a few more wears and see if I change my mind. What do you think?

How is your Me-Made-May coming along?


Friday, 8 August 2014

Mono-Two-Piece

Is it a dress?

No, it is my monochrome two-piece.
Grainline Scout Woven tee plus Dolores Pocket Skirt

Monday, 4 August 2014

Monosewn & Two-Piece-Set-Acular

I participated in the July Monthly Stitch challenge for the first time. The lovely ladies at the Monthly stitch cleverly entitled this 'monosewn' because the challenge was to sew entirely in monochrome.
I decided to make another Dolores Pocket Skirt whilst I was in the swing of it using the black and white fabric bought in the John Lewis sale. It came together very well with hand-stitching on the waistband and pockets for added decoration.

It was after completing the black and white skirt I came across Ada Spragg's Two-Piece-Set-Acular challenge and thought I should create a co-ordinating top for that matchy-matchy effect. I will get some photos of me wearing this ensemble later in the week ; )


Quick google-detective work on the fabric revealed the apt title for the fabric is 'Connect the Dots' by Kim Schaefer. You can buy it here

Thursday, 31 July 2014

Scout Jamboree

It appears I have enough Scouts for a jamboree!
OK, so I'm not talking about those kind of Scouts but the Grainline Scout Woven tee ones...

I have wanted to make a Grainline Scout tee in a fabric than drapes (unlike my cotton versions) for a while and the opportunity arose partly due to the fact that I managed to score 3 metres of this lovely (admittedly slightly crazy) abstract viscose in the John Lewis sale. This is before I officially signed up to the Summer Stash Bust 2014. Honest.


After making my original Scout tee in black polka dot cotton I realised the back was a little too full for my liking. Soooo I amended the pattern to have a centre back seam that curves towards the waistline and back out again removing about 2.5 cm from the fullness at the back of the top. It seems to have worked out pretty well and have made a few versions using this adaptation.

Version one - black polka dot cotton


Version two - red polka dot cotton (made during Me-Made-May) - with centre back seam


Version three - b&w print cotton by Kim Schaefer (in John Lewis sale) - with centre back seam


Version four - multi coloured abstract print viscose by Penelope - with centre back seam


The viscose version is by far my favourite out of the four because the drape and fall of the garment is so much more fluid and easier to wear. It also happens to be in a rather fab colourful abstract print which I absolutely love!

I have another 2 metres of this lovely viscose left and I'm contemplating making a matching skirt using the Everyday Skirt by Liesl and Co after spotting Katie's ikat skirt from What Katie Sews
If I made a skirt to match my new Scout tee I could participate in Ada Spragg's Two-Piece-Set-Acular!


What do you think I should sew with my remaining viscose?