I’m always looking for ways to make my wardrobe more interesting, whether it’s adding a special novelty trim to a closet essential or taking my basics up a notch with fun and interesting fabrics. With our Lavender tee free sewing pattern, we’ll show you how to give your basic everyday tee a fabulous upgrade! First, we’ll start with our classic white tee, which of course is a must have and can be worn with just about anything! Then we get a little creative with option B. This cropped version has contrasting sleeves which is great for utilizing one of Mood’s jersey solids or prints. We also feature Mood’s laser cut jersey which makes this version perfect for a day at the beach. Throw this tee over your swimsuit with a pair of shorts and you’re good to go! We’d love to hear how you upgraded your Lavender tee so let us know!
Fabrics & materials used:
- 1.5 yards of White Stretch Bamboo Jersey (option A)
- 1 yard of Italian Black Laser-Cut Jersey (option B)
- .5 yard of Light Heathered Gray Stretch Bamboo Jersey (option B)
- MDF119 – The Lavender Tee – Free Sewing Pattern (free download below!)
This is a very basic easily sewn pattern. For best results use a serger or overlock stitch for finishing seams.
Sewing this tee is as simple as attaching the front to the back, setting in the sleeves and adding the neckband. The key to working with lightweight stretch knits is taking it slow. Make sure you are not overstretching and distorting the fabric as you work.
With right sides of the fabric together, pin at sides, and shoulders and stitch the front to the back.
Fold sleeve over with right sides of the fabric together and stitch along the seam.
Set in the sleeves and finish with a rolled hem and twin needle stitch.
Now fold the neckband and stitch the center back seam. Next, fold the neckband down lengthwise and starting at the center back notch, pin and attach to the neck opening.
Finish with a twin needle stitch along the neck.
Complete the bottom edge with a rolled hem and topstitch with a twin needle finish.
Make sure everything is pressed nice and crisp, and be sure to follow the same steps for option B.
That’s it! Easy as 1-2-3! Let us know how you plan on wearing your Lavender Tee!
19 comments
Is there written instructions to any of the free pattern and how to assemble the pdf?
Hi there! There should be a layout guide on the first page of your PDF, and the instructions are in the blog post. 🙂
Wow!! Thank you for such cool Patterns!!!! Can’t wait to start them !
If you guys wanna see the finished product, I used the crop top option with some tie dyed fabric! Check out IG @Denise.Eloudie.Clothing and for more photos check out my “Clothing” highlight!
Hi there, I dont have a serger, just a sewing machine and I’m a complete beginner! Could I still make this wonderful pattern? Thank you
Hi Emma! You can certainly still give this a try! You’ll just need to use the stretch stitch on your regular sewing machine and a walking foot. 🙂
Thank you for your reply! I’m certainly going to give it a go. I’ve already printed the pattern. Sorry could I ask one more question, how do I make the pattern longer? I’d like a little extra to go perhaps halfway down my bum? Thank you
Hey…..can you guys do a tutorial or link up to a video of how to use a twin needle? I have all those fancy stitches on my sewing machine but not sure how to even thread a double needle yet…. Thanks!!
Love that idea – we’ll add it to the list! 🙂
There are many video tutorials on YouTube to help you sew on knits using twin needle and stretch stitches on a regular sewing machine. Even though I have a serger as well as an overlock machine, I often find it easier to use my sewing machine on knits. I use the lightning stitch or just a regular zig zag, with fairly small stitches and a narrow zig for seams, and double needles for the hemming. Slick, easy to set up, and saves on thread! Counter-intuitive: using small stitches makes for greater stretchiness in seams.
Thanks Veronica about the tip using small stitches for greater stretch. By using “smaller” do you mean length or width or both? Thanks!!
This was super fun and fairly easy to make for me. There were a few hiccups but they are very easy fixes, mainly the neck hole was CRAZY tiny. I have a small head but i couldn’t even get it half way over my head, and I was making the size up from my true size! Again that’s a very easy fix. All in all I still had a lot of fun making this, it’s perfect for the dress I made!
This tee was featured in the gauze fabric ideas post. But wouldn’t the neck line need some altering to allow for a woven to get over your head?
Hi Victoria! Yes, that’s correct. For that particular garment we altered the neckline by about an inch on either side to make it more of a boat neck. 😀
Hi,
What is the seam allowance on this?
Hi there! The seam allowance is 1/2″ 🙂
Hi Mood, I have just made 6 of these lovely tees for my daughter. I made this size 8/10 (she wears a 4) so they would be oversize but with shaping. I used a cotton/modal so they drape beautifully. I did have to scoop the neck out by a cm on the front as it was too tight to go over her head. I cut the neck band longer and twice as wide and then bound the neck.
They look amazing, very high end. Thank you Mood (love saying that) for these wonderful patterns.
PS Condolences on the loss of Swatch.
Your website suggests making this Lavender tee in a double gauze. How do you deal with the neckband as double gauze isn’t a stretchy fabric? Thanks
Hi Jan! I would add a keyhole and button in the back. 🙂