Lots of Lark Tees

 

In my last post, I mentioned how I’m using sewing hacks to make my sewing time more productive.  Well, here we are: three Lark Tees that I cranked out in the course of one weekend, all cut out at the same time and sewn assembly line style!

 

 

For my first version, I used a lightweight rayon knit from Metro Textiles and cut out the long sleeve/scoop neck variation.  As you can see, it’s a bit wrinkly from not taking it out of the dryer in time!  I love the fit of the pattern, it’s not too tight but fitted where it needs to be, and will be my new go-to pattern for a basic tee.  However, I was surprised with how long the length of the tee actually is and will probably shorten it in future versions.

 

 

For my second version, I tried the short sleeve/scoop neck variation in a St. James striped double-knit from Mood.  This version is my least favorite because of the length…I don’t know what it is, maybe it’s the proportion of the sleeves and body length, but it just seems too long for me.  It’s also interesting how a different weight of fabric gives the tee a different fit, this one is much looser and less clingy than the long sleeve rayon tee.  I’m loving how the neck band turned out, look at that even stripe!  I probably should topstitch the seam allowance down around the neck to allow the neck band to lay flat, it tends to flip out a bit.

 

 

The boatneck 3/4 sleeve version is my favorite!  Like the short sleeve version, this is another St. James double-knit from Mood – I love me a good stripe and there’s no such thing as too many striped tees.  While the description of this version is a boatneck, it feels more like a wide scoop than a boatneck to me; I’m used to boatnecks coming up to my neck.  I would also make a facing next time for the neckline, like Teri did, turning in the seam allowance 1/4 inch and top stitching it looks so-so and a facing would give the tee a much nicer finish.  This version is also slightly shorter than the other two, and I like the length.  This is due to me not cutting the stripes evenly across the bottom (no idea how that happened) so I chopped off about a 1.5 inches to even everything out.

Renee pointed out on Instagram that this is like the Kate Middleton/Vogue magazine shirt – I had no idea!  I love the vertical stripe pocket, that could be a cute addition to a future stripe Lark Tee.  Taking some styling cues from the duchess, I wore this top with dark jeans and brown riding boots when I went out last weekend and felt very chic.

 

 

Pattern: Lark Tee by Grainline Studio
Scoop and boatneck version with various sleeves
Fabric: rayon from Metro Textile, St. James stripe knits from Mood (1) (2)