The “Summer Concert Tee” Downloadable Pattern
Yep, that’s right, I’m launching another pattern download It’s launched! You’ve seen the variations of the shirt to get to this point and now I’m almost ready to release the pattern.
I’m calling it The Summer Concert Tee because it is something I’d totally wear to a music festival in the hot summer sun while jamming out to my favorite bands (in between complaining about $5 water bottles and telling the jerk in front of me to close his umbrella, uh, yeah…).
The shirt is fitted at the shoulders but loose at waist and hip, cropped in front and longer in back (great with high waist shorts!), scoop neck (my fave style), dolman sleeves with longer sleeve cuffs that make for a fun look in a stripe.
I’ll be releasing it for purchase next week for $8. It willl be in five sizes as usual and be available as a PDF download with instructions and pattern in one document.
Ok, readers, here’s the thing. This shirt, in essence, is a lot like another pattern I made previously. I know you all love free patterns but I’ve decided to take the old one down. It’s not just because I want to make money. I have other reasons:
- I made that pattern over a year ago and since then I’ve learned much more about pattern making as well as the program I use to turn my patterns into PDFs.
- This new pattern has better fit and construction with details like wider arm openings and a different way to attach the collar. The front piece is slightly wider than the back (because ladies are more curved in the front than the back).
- The new pattern also has more accurate sizing(!!) because of tips and tricks I’ve learned on my software.
- Better instructions, illustrations, and pre-sewing info. Having made more patterns I know what’s important to include – like properly labeling each pattern piece with all the info (duh, Dixie!). This one will have helpful graphics for some of the steps.
- Better printable format and visual design.
- While the design is similar I redrafted this entire pattern from scratch.
This new shirt pattern is just a better product all around and I’m almost embarrassed by my old patterns. That doesn’t mean I won’t ever release any new free patterns in the future. They’ll most likely be simple, easy to sew designs for clothes and accessories. I have a clutch design that I’m working on and I intend to make a free pattern for it.
I’m leaving up my old shirt pattern up for one week so go download it now while you still can if you haven’t already! Once I launch the Summer Concert Tee I’ll discontinue that old pattern for good (even on BurdaStyle).
Alright – back to the current t-shirt!
The Goal: This top is part of my Shorts and Shirts Summer Wardrobe (my orange short were my first pair of shorts). The mix of orange and mint will be pretty daring but I’m not afraid of crazy color combos this season.
The Fabric: A gray and mint stripe from The Common Thread.
The Pattern: Version 4.0 and my final version of the upcoming Summer Concert Tee. You can see the second most recent version here.
The Changes: Version 3.0 was almost identical to this version only the back of that one was shorter because I ran out of fabric, oops. This new version doesn’t have the crochet back piece but you can easily add one to the design.
The Results: Thumbs up! I love the colors. The collar sits nicely. And I’m proud of myself for not being lazy and changing the thread color on my serger so the inside stitches are gray instead of bright white. I’m giving myself a pat on the back for that one.
***And stay tuned, ladies and gents, I just finished my shorts that I’m working on for my next pattern. Yep, you heard right! I’m veering away from knits (which I love) and making a pattern for a pair of woven shorts! Will the excitement never end!?!?!
wow, very exciting. can’t wait to give it a try. just curious – what program do you use for your patterns? i’ve been looking around for some options.
I use Adobe Illustrator. It’s not specifically designed for pattern drafting but it works and I’m most familiar with it.
It actually is really awesome for pattern drafting — we used it in fashion school for a lot of different things. I know a lot of companies use CAD but for in-house design work it’s cheaper/more reasonable to use Illustrator.
Nice!
I’ll buy it. I love the ballet dress pattern I bought a few months ago.
Nothy
http://www.aftagley.blogspot.com
Thanks Nothy! I’m glad you liked it 🙂
Hello Dixie
Im a new follower of your blog and I wanted to say that I really enjoy reading it. I actually went back to the beginning and read all of your old posts. I will definetly be buying your new tee and making it for this summer. Cant wait to see your future projects and thanks to you im not so afraid of knits anymore.
Thanks
Hey thanks a lot! I’m glad you’re trying out knits now. Welcome to the blog!
I love the hemline! Glad you’re making more patterns.
Thank you! I’m glad, too. I hope to do a bunch more this year.
THANK-YOU. $3 is a steal. I love that top and have been looking for a similar silhouette.
Thanks Stephanie!
I love the fabric and I LOVE your blog especially the serger and knit info. Good deal on your patterns!
Hi Dixie, I’ve been following you blog since the One Shoulder Dress, I made and loved it!(my first experience sewing knit from a pattern). Anyway, I’ve recently become interested in pattern making, I can make things for myself but for anyone else It’s not so good. I was curious, where did you learn to draft patterns? I’m thinking of taking a flat pattern class at my jc next semester. Thanks for keeping such an awesome blog!
-Kara
Hey Kara! I learned by altering patterns enough that I could start doing it from scratch or making new designs from blocks. Other than that – lots of internet research, pattern books and trial and error. I took a very basic pattern making class once but most of the stuff I already knew, still I found it helpful. http://www.patternschool.com was helpful with some pattern theory (it’s all about stretch fabric sewing, though) but the site is pretty dense.
Give the class a try. If I could go back to the beginning and just take a class instead of spending years making mistakes and struggling, I would!
Thanks for the advice, I’m big on research so I will definitely continue to look things up. I have made a custom block from http://www.patternschool.com before. Everything is really dense though. I think I will take the class if I can fit it in my schedule. 🙂 I think books will be a great resource too.
http://www.beautifullyinspired.com
Looks fab.
This is great! I’d love an easy knit shirt like this (I’m loving the mullet hems on shirts and dresses). If only I could find a great stripe like yours!
Work is beautiful, and wonderful selection of colors, suitable for you and shows the beauty of the hairstyle.Its so lovely