Welcome to my monthly 'Free Pattern Friday' feature, where I road test a free sewing pattern or tutorial: sometimes a children's one, sometimes an adult's one. I try to publish these posts every first Friday of the month, timed to provide inspiration for those who plan to get their sew on over the weekend. I firmly believe that, if you pick your projects carefully, sewing doesn't have to be a crazy-expensive way to clothe yourself and your family. Thanks to all the amazing pattern designers who have offered up their hard work for us to enjoy for free.
The Stellan Tee pattern by French Navy Patterns has been on my radar for yonks, and I've been recommended it countless times. After my recent splurge on lovely fabrics to channel a French Girl Chic style, I was looking for a casual style top pattern to make out of some lovely, striped jersey. The Stellan also appealed because it has a more contemporary, modern aesthetic, with gentle, dropped shoulders the right amount of volume throughout the body. Thanks, as always, to all the sewing pattern designers who share their work with the sewing community for free.
Pattern type:
The designer says it best: '
A modern take on the basic T-shirt, the Stellan Tee has a boxy, slightly cropped fit, proportionally long sleeves (super cute when rolled-up) and a subtly curved hemline'.
Sizing info:
This pattern is graded for 31.5" to 59.5" busts, making it a very size inclusive style. Larger busts might want to create an FBA, adding a bust dart perhaps. I made the size C, grading out slightly for the waist and hips, as per my measurements.
Fabric info:
This pattern calls for light to medium weight knits with moderate stretch. I think you have some leeway here because of its looser fit. I bet it would be lovely in a super lightweight, slinky jersey. Or a slightly more hefty knit for a boxier look.
Findings:
As you know, I loves me a layered PDF file so I can select only the size/s I require. I got this pattern printed out in A0 format so overall the prep was minimal.
The instructions are excellent, and I feel this pattern would be suitable for a beginner if you omitted the back neck binding. And if the seam allowance wasn't a scant 6mm (1/4"). But speaking of the back neck binding. The instructions for that were excellent and I ended up with my most successful attempt at that yet.
There were a few points in which I veered away from the instructions in favour of my preferred T-shirt making methods. Firstly, I stabilised the shoulder seams with clear elastic tape. The Stellan instructions do give you the option to topstitch down the shoulder seams, which would probably eliminate the need for stabilising the seam with elastic. I also chose to hem the sleeves and the curved bottom edges of the front and back pieces BEFORE constructing the garment.
In general, this was a really enjoyable project to put together, and the resultant garment looks pretty cool. There is one thing about the fit, however, that would probably put me off from making it again. Perhaps it's more noticeable because my fabric is striped, but can you see the drag lines that are directed towards the neckline? My feeling is that those have occurred because the pattern is drafted for someone with squarer shoulders than myself. There is also the possibility that they're occurring because I made the neck band a tiny bit too tight. I'm not sure which.
Would I make this again?
I really like the fit of this T-shirt in the body, and the sleeves rolled up looks really cute. I would definitely reference this pattern for the fit, however, because of those drag lines on me, I don't think I'd make this pattern again. Which is not to say I'm not going to wear this garment a ton, because I already have!
