Sunday, June 14, 2015

Woven Hemlock Tees #1 and #2 : the lumberjack version and the fiesta version

I know that there are a lot of people with opinions on what type of fabrics clothing should be sewn with.   It's no big secret that I don't sew with knits a lot ... I think that will change one day, but in the meanwhile, as I'm increasing my sewing skills one by one, I feel perfectly at home sewing with quilting cottons and other woven fabrics.

Thus, when I came across a few versions of the Hemlock Tee in woven fabrics (exhibits A and B), I felt compelled to try out this pattern.   I'm beyond pleased with the end results!

I present : Woven Hemlock Tee #1 - the "lumberjack" version ...

I bought this flannel in the clearance section of my local Joann's thinking it would be perfect to wear on Fridays at my school where I teach (school colors are black and gold), as well as to try out a future pattern.  This was the perfect opportunity to whip up a quick shirt, and I love how it turned out!


This is a perfectly cozy shirt, the flannel is perfect, and it's hard for me to want to change anything on this shirt.  It does have the original longer length, but in the flannel it makes it cozy and oversized.  I approve!


I was so excited about the lumberjack shirt that I immediately cut into some fabric that had been hanging around my stash waaaay too long ... and so I present :

Woven Hemlock Tee #2 - the "fiesta" version ...

This project started years ago when I bought this fabric with the full intent to make a "fiesta" skirt.  This was the beginning of lofty aspirations (or, as I call it, stash enabling ...) and I was happy to finally put this fabric to good use as an experimental muslin of this pattern in quilting cotton.


I had the unfortunate experience of getting a Lionel Richie song stuck in my head and all that I could hear while sewing this shirt was "Fiesta ... Forever ...".  Nevertheless, I was happy with how the shirt turned out -- though I think that a heavier quilting cotton is not the BEST choice for this shirt ... a lighter weight cotton, or something like my previous cozy flannel version would be best.


I wore it on Cinco de Mayo this year, though I don't do a huge celebration in my Spanish class.  (There are so many lesser-known fiesta days to celebrate!)  There are sure to be more fiesta occasions in my class when I will make use of this shirt in the future!


I'd say I'm well on my way to becoming the Frizz ... which is exactly what I want. :)

Notes:
Pattern: Hemlock Tee by Grainline
Mods: no big mods to either shirt, though I might experiment with the length in the future.


4 comments:

  1. These look great, Jen! I have a feeling you like yellow, right? Or is that just because of the school colours? The flannel one looks so comfy and cozy. I must do something like that for the fall and also remember to make mine a bit bigger for a slouchier look.

    Happy sewing!

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  2. I would totally wear your lumberjack shirt! And if I had a class of Spanish students the Fiesta one would be perfect too. ;-) The hemlock is so versatile -- actually, so are all the grainline patterns I've used so far... nice!

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