Saturday, January 23, 2016

A TNT "Tea" Tee


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This month's Monthly Stitch theme is "Cheers for New Years!" -- making anything inspired by your favourite drink.  While I had initially thought about doing something a little more flashy -- hmm, maybe a martini-inspired cocktail frock, or perhaps a hot chocolate inspired sweater knit tunic -- I found this immensely soft piece of fabric on the sale table and snapped it up.

Well, my actual favourite drink is tea, all kinds of tea, at all times of day. And this print looks like tea leaves, or tea bags, in every colour of tea, Assam, Darjeeling, Green, Oolong or White. Perfect!
And I even have a "Matcha-ing" sweater! :)

Since there was only just a yard in this remnant, I went with one of my only TNT patterns, Kwik Sew 3559. I love this pattern. While it's a dress pattern, I've only used it to make t-shirts, 3 in total now. I'm already looking at the next one, and planning on cutting the neckline a little higher. I'd forgotten that with a light and thin stretchy knit the neckline scoops a little lower when you are wearing it. The second version from a heavier knit doesn't have the same effect.
first version
second version














It's a quick and easy pattern, with only three pieces if you don't make a facing for the neckline as called for in the pattern. I just turned under & stitched, but am thinking about a contrast neck binding next time for variety.



It's a soft, lightweight tunic that it forgiving to the figure and in its short-sleeved version especially, it sits nicely under a sweater or jacket. I never blogged my second make, and don't have too much new to say about the construction details this time either. Read the original review if you would like my first thoughts on it -- my current thoughts are just that the type of knit that you use really affects the way the final product fits. Again, a softer and more stretchy knit will, not surprisingly, stretch a bit when you wear it. So be aware of necklines and shoulder widths; mine both need to be adjusted a little, which I will remember to do next time round!


I took these photos at my local tea shop, Distinctly Tea, run by a mother & daughter team of tea sommeliers. They are wonderful; friendly and knowledgeable, and they've partnered with me for the last two years to produce an Evergreen tea which supports both the Evergreen Award (a provincial reading program) and my local library. What goes better together than tea and books, after all? PS - this tea can be shipped to the US, and with our exchange rate, it's a steal! Just saying :)



Hope you've enjoyed this little tea break with me.

10 comments:

  1. The perfect tee for tea. I am a fellow tea lover and enjoy a variety of teas. Loved your fun post and you picked the perfect location for your photos.

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    1. Thanks - I had fun taking these photos - thankfully it wasn't too busy while I was doing so, so it wasn't *too* embarrassing ;) It's a wonderful shop with an amazing variety of tea.

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  2. I love the tea tee! And would always support any tea drinking activity. Congratulations on such an appropriate pairing. Lovely tea, sorry tee top!

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    1. Thank you! It is a lovely top, and a lovely Tea too, by the way :)

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  3. What a great make! Love the fabric--and the pattern! I have a ready-to-wear top just like this that needs to go away as I've had it forever, but I just hate to let it go. Will certainly put this pattern on my List.

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    1. Yes, it was a RTW top that first inspired me to turn this dress pattern into a top - mine was also nearing the end of its public life ;) This makes a great version!

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  4. Pretty top and backdrops! Love the fabric :)

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    1. Thank you! I love it, and all the tea I bought on my trip as well, haha.

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  5. Great choice of fabric & love the sweater. You look lovely!

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    1. Thanks! Love it when the new clothes match the ones you already have

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Share your comments, ideas or suggestions here -- I am always interested in hearing from readers. It's nice to have a conversation!