Scout Tee #7 -- surprise, a catnap version!

So, yes, I have a Scout Woven Tee problem.  I was feeling pretty bad about my lack of diversity until I came across the blog One Million Dresses and the amazing Sarah who has made over one hundred Emery Dresses, and blogs them all.  I decided that my Scout Tee addiction isn't so bad after all, and that other seamstresses like to make and re-make easy and favorite patterns just like me.  (I wouldn't mind moving on to the Emery Dress one day and making a million cute frocks like Sarah's ...)

Having said that, I am actually venturing out into some other patterns, but had already cut out these two Scout Tees and felt like I needed to finish them up.

Presenting Scout Tee #7 : yet another miáucoles tee shirt, a.k.a. another catnap top.

I had cut this out before I made my recent double-catnap bess top ... and actually, for the record, I don't see anything wrong with owning an entire wardrobe of catnap clothing.  (Lizzy House might have told me that she's considering a Catnap 2 line ...)

I so love this cute print, called "Cattitude."  It's perfect for miáucoles (my version of Spanish-Wednesday-meets-cats), right?

It made an appearance in my instagram Me Made May wardrobe before I had a chance to blog it here.  I'm also wearing a hitchhiker scarf and a really really old Koigu hat (unfortunately, so old it was never recorded in ravelry!).  If I look grumpy, it's because I was standing in the rain, though you might catch a glimpse at the amazing rainbow that was *right* behind me.  (I almost ran away to look for the gold!)  It's been raining straight for the past week here in Colorado, which is highly unusual -- and we're expecting up to 10" of snow for Mother's Day this weekend!

(Waiting for summertime ...)

Notes :
Pattern : Scout Woven Tee
Fabric : Catnap by Lizzy House
Mods : slightly longer hemline

Scouts #5 (the February one) and #6 (another miaucoles tee)

Despite the fact that I am actually sewing other things, I need to blog a few recent Scout Woven Tees that I completed ...

Scout #5 : the February Scout

My handmade wardrobe plan for the month of February was to insert as many red- and pink-colored garments into my wardrobe as possible.  As such, I grabbed this Jennifer Paganelli design from Joann to try out the roomier swing back version of the Scout Tee.

It's funny that I had my son snap this picture on our way out to school in the morning (trying to catch the sunlight while I could get it!) -- I took off my jacket, snapped a quick photo, and realized later that my go-to hat this winter (Rikke in malabrigo worsted) has a strange pooling action going on.  I knew this already, but seeing it in a photo made it really stand out to me.  In addition, I'd never quite noticed how the tips of my color affection shawl sort of pop out grey!  This is an added benefit to blogging what I wear, I suppose.

Project notes :
Pattern : Scout Tee #5 
Fabric : Floral Stripe by Jennifer Paganelli
Mods :  - Size 6 made, with full back adjustment
{{On Kollabora here}}


That brings us to Scout #6 : another miáucoles tee

I can't get enough cat-themed clothing into my wardrobe.  Before you think that it's just about being another crazy cat lady (which, being the calico lover, I of course am), you need to remember that I'm a Spanish teacher and that each Wednesday in my class is celebrated as "miáucoles," or the cat version of the regular (and more boring IMHO) miércoles.  (I may or may not insert random cat memes in Spanish throughout my powerpoints on Wednesdays ... while wearing cat-themed clothes, of course.)

I added a bit more oomph in the back, or more swing à la slash-and-spread of clothing design, inspired by Jen's Madewell Scout.

Of note in this tee was my failure at creating a slit in the neck, as Jen did in her Madewell Scout Tee version.  It turned out ... okay.  By okay, I mean wearable, but I'm not sure pleased with it.  I'm not giving up on this technique quite yet.  I'm pretty sure my inability to pull off this slit came from the store-purchased binding that I used.

Project notes :
Pattern : Scout Tee #6
Fabric : Catnap by Lizzy House in Finn Pink
Mods :  - Size 6 made, neck slit added, swingy back adjustment
{{On Kollabora here}}

scout tee #4 : long-sleeved nani iro version

Well, it's another day, and I'm back with another Scout Tee ... that's how it rolls around here.  The reality is that, as a rather inexperienced and beginner sewer, the Scout Tee remains that perfect mixture of a wearable design along with skills that I possess.  So, until I feel like venturing into more complicated patterns, I might be happy making an endless number of these with a few variations thrown in.

This version is made with 1 1/2 yds of this amazingly soft Nani Iro brushed cotton that I bought from Miss Matatabi.  I decided to use every single bit of fabric that I could and I extended the sleeves to a 3/4 length.

I'll admit that seeing Carolyn's shirt heavily influenced my own -- this border print was just too gorgeous to not use it as an accent somehow.   I am very happy with the use of the border print on the bottom hem, as well as on the sleeves.   If I'd had more yardage, I would have considered a dress -- this version and this version are inspiration for future border-print Nani Iro projects.

I shamelessly copied Carolyn for the sleeve hems, as well, leaving them unfinished.  I decided that if I need to hem them later, I can -- for now, I like the whimsy of the unfinished hem and I think it's fun and unique that the selvage print barely shows on one sleeve.

I feel super proud of the process that I took to make this a quality handmade garment that I hope will last well.   I serged the lower hem and then used a new-to-me-technique to hem the shirt.  On this shirt, I used my "blind hem" stitch and finally figured out how that worked -- this tutorial helped a lot.  I am definitely going to use this on future skirts!

My bias facing is really coming along ... I used a commercial facing but ironed it out flat before applying it, which I think helped with the stiffness.

I also extended the lower hem by about two inches and also used Jen's full back tutorial to add volume to the back of the shirt.  I **love** the way it turned out and will most likely use this "slash and spread" method again.

Meanwhile, the scarf I'm wearing with this shirt perfectly coordinates.  The scarf is pretty much all-time favorite handknit item -- it goes with almost everything in my wardrobe and is amazingly comfortable and versatile.  This was one of my first lace patterns that I ever attempted -- the Charlotte's Web scarf that was incredibly popular on knitting blogs in the pre-ravelry days.    I have more notes on my ravelry project page, if you're interested.  (I made another version in a chunky Noro yarn, too.)

My only regret for this shirt is that it's a tad too tight in the back across the shoulders -- so in my next Scout Tee I will probably add a bit of width there.  However, the fit still works, and I'm in love it!

Project notes :
Pattern : Scout Tee
Fabric : Nani Iro Painting Check from Miss Matatabi
Mods : None - Size 6 made.
{{On Kollabora here.}}

scout tee #3 : calaveras de azúcar version

This is (cough cough) rather late posting -- it's January and I realized that during my blogging absence this last fall I finished (yet another) Scout Tee.  This is my third, and I am really feeling like I have got the hang of this pattern.  

Not only is this shirt perfect for me to wear in November, or any other month for that matter (I teach Spanish), it's cute, comfy and colorful.   What more could a girl ask for?

I am feeling more and more comfortable with doing a bias binding (yay!) and the tip that Jen from Grainline detailed for getting flat bias necklines has really paid off for me.  

The fabric was a novelty fabric purchase from Joann's, whose name and designer I can't recall now.  I know that it's my third Day of the Dead shirt I've made, but I have to admit -- there are more coming. :)  I blame it on watching too much Magic School Bus when my kids were little.   (#imthatteacher) 

Project notes :

Pattern : Scout Tee

Fabric : Mystery novelty print from Joann's

Mods : None - Size 6 made.

{{On Kollabora here.}}

Scout Tee #2 : the miáucoles version

I'm back with another Scout Tee ...  #2 in a series of never ending Scout Tees, that is.  I recently saw someone (somewhere) say "Another day, another Grainline Scout Tee," and that about sums it up.  I love this pattern!  I sized down slightly from the last pattern and I think I could size down even one more size next time I make this.

I think it's time to get something out of the way.  First, I like cats.  (I am The Calico Lover, after all.) ;)  Second, I teach Spanish.  Third, I may not be able to help it if the middle day of the week is known as miáucoles in my classroom ... instead of the boring, traditional miércoles.  Let's call it the Spanish-speaking world's version of "Caturday".

So, when I came across this stupendously cheeky and amazingly soft organic cat fabric at my favorite fabric (and yarn) mecca, I knew what to do with it ... whip it up into a Scout Tee worthy of wearing on miáucoles.

The really cool medical clinic-in-a-trailer that students at my high school put together hasn't left yet for Mexico City, so I took advantage of it for a quick photo op, even though I've already used it once before.  I can't help it - the artwork is beautiful!

The scarf I'm wearing is a recently finished handknit item - blogged about separately, here.  Double points for wearing two handmade garments in one day. 

(There may or may not have been a powerpoint filled with cat memes - in Spanish, of course - today.)

Project notes :

Pattern : Grainline - Scout Woven Tee
Fabric : Here Kitty Kitty by Clothworks
Mods : Size 8 -- with a wiksten pocket added
{{On Kollabora here.}}

Scout tee #1 : the sewing machine version

I finally made my very first Grainline Scout Woven Tee, after seeing many cute versions online and being amazed by the talented Jennifer and her blog.  I first came across her handknits, which led me to her sewing blog, but in either case she definitely inspires me! I immediately purchased her pattern and decided to make this one of my go-to summer shirts.

                  

I found some really goofy AND super cheap fabric at Joann's to try a wearable muslin.  I adore this fabric, actually -- it's a bunch of sewing machines, mod style, some with a lime green accent color.  I feel totally goofy wearing it (which is a good thing for me). 

               

This first incarnation was a size 10, and is probably a bit large.  I'll size down next time.

               

I added a pocket à la Wiksten tank, and managed to place it perfectly so it blends in.  Can you spot it?

               

I feel a bit like a medical professional in this tee, but that's mainly because of the bagginess and the stiffer cotton I used.  I can't wait to make this pattern in different fabrics!  My last favorite thing about this tee shirt is that the robin's egg blue of the sewing machines perfectly matches my favorite color to wear on my toes right now.  Hard to tell in the photo, but they are a perfect match!

                   

Project notes :
Pattern : Grainline - Scout Woven Tee
Fabric : Cheap-o cotton blend
Mods : Size 10 -- with a pocket added
{{On Kollabora here.}}