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I Almost Gave Up on This Sewing Project...

KGFL Creations

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Hi Everyone! Welcome to another episode of #fridaysews.

Have you ever reached the halfway point of a sewing project and wondered if it was even worth finishing?

That's exactly how I felt while sewing this brand-new Cashmerette Club T-shirt pattern. I loved the unique sleeve and hem details, but one design feature had me questioning the entire project. For a while, I honestly thought about setting it aside.

Instead, I decided to finish it before making my final decision—and I'm glad I did.

In this video, I'm sharing my honest first impressions, what I liked, what I'm still unsure about, and whether I think this pattern deserves another chance.

🧵 I'd love to hear your thoughts! Do you like bust darts in knit T-shirts? Have you ever finished a project you almost gave up on? Let me know in the comments.

Thank you so much for watching and for being part of my sewing journey. And if you enjoyed it, please like, comment, and subscribe to my channel. Don't forget to click the notification bell so that you are notified of all my future videos.
Happy Sewing!!! 🧵🧵🥰🥰❤️❤️

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20 Comments

@GloriaJackson-z7n 1 month ago Pinned

Hi Karen. You did a lovely job sewing this T shirt project. The color looks good on you. A positive way to think about this project is that it can be used as a teaching tool. How so ? From the neck to the hem; It tells you what needs to be adjusted. From what I can tell you need a smaller size from the neck to the bust area. To test this theory, take up the shirt on the shoulders about 1 inch ( .5 seam allowance).. this will also help take in the neck area. Also lower the neck sewing line. From center front to the shoulder seam. Measure the front upper chest from side to side to determine the width across this will help with the extra fabric in the area above the bust. Doing this will help you determine what size to use for the upper ❤portion of this T shirt and Hope this helps....Note: bust darts can be angled , lowered or raised.

@karendiesner5008 1 month ago

Hi Karen, Karen from UK here, I hope you don’t mind me offering my take on this T shirt! Looks to me like you need a smaller size at the shoulder level, or a narrow shoulder adjustment, and possibly a small square shoulder adjustment as well, which could be why the neckline is sticking up a bit on top of your shoulder (I am offering this as I generally have to do these things too, so I recognise them!). Also, seems to me that the armhole is too deep on this for you, hence the weird stuff under the armscye. Pattern emporium does have info on how to do a dartless FBA on knits, I can’t remember which of their knit tops I saw this but PE patterns are pretty good this way. Personally…… I’d take the bits you DO like from this, like the faced hems with splits, and just use them on a pattern that you know and trust. Win-win! Again, apols if I am speaking out of turn but I have so many upper body issues I can recognise them now. With best wishes, Karen x

@PamP-w8t 2 days ago

Color is fantastic on you

@christimarsh783 1 month ago

I appreciate your honest reviews. I have been a Cashmerette Club member since the beginning. I love Jenny's teaching style along with her attitude and approach. I have only a couple of the patterns and I am not sure that zi want to continue with the club just for the classes and extras. I have noticed that most feedback on the patterns has been positive so I keep questioning if I am the only one not so excited about the patterns. I like the looks of some and others are not for me. I also get disappointed when the new month rolls over and I am not excited about the pattern. And to be honest, I should try more before I give up. I wish they had an option to sign up for the extras only (classes and live meeting) and buy only
the patterns I want. As far as this t-shirt, I think I will use the sleeve design on a different t-shirt
I don't like boatnecks because my bra straps always show. I am going to concentrate on finding the right neckline for me. Not too high like a crew but not too low like Turner Dress. What pattern do you prefer for the neckline?

@janepack850 1 month ago

Thank you so much for giving this pattern a try and your honesty. I really appreciate it. I was also on the fence w this one. You really helped me decide. 💕

@MountainAccentsSewing 1 month ago

Hi Karen. I love the color of the t-shirt. Great review. Sometimes a project doesn’t work the way we want it but it’s a great learning experience. You learned how to sew a bust dart in a knit even if it is not in the right place. I hope next week is better for you.

@lyndamorrow6379 1 month ago

I was sewing a blouse a couple of weeks ago. I kept making mistakes and I didn’t think it would fit. I got so mad that I threw it across my sewing room! About a week later I picked it up and decided to work on it again. I finally finished it and it turned out pretty well!

@jeaniec891 1 month ago

The blue looks so good on you! Very pretty!

@kaygee8343 1 month ago

Super cute. Love the color.

@sewlovelywithgrace 1 month ago

Karen, don't worry, it's not mandatory to finish a project if you don't feel you will love it when it's done. But, I really like your top. If you didn't mention anything I would not have noticed. The color and style looks great on you. I don't see any flaws. Put a long pendant necklace on to draw they eyes away from the boat neckline. Knit bust darts are tricky. I always have to re-mark to adjust, baste, fit and then stitch. You can't eliminate the bust darts for fit, but you can unpick them from the inside, press out flat, then rotate and redraw the lines to your fit and stitch. Have a great weekend! 😘😘💖💖💖💖

@marshadimond441 1 month ago

Hi Karen. I agree with many others about the neckline being too wide. What I have done is use a smaller neckline size & scoop out the front neckline a bit. Also use a knit interfacing on that facing. I have the same problem with the sleeve folds. Haven't figured out that issue yet tho. I love the notches on the sleeves & bottom hem!

@Heyreneesews 1 month ago (edited)

I have a hard time with boatnecks too. Also, I have one dress that I haven’t finished for a very long time. I just gave up and I’m not sure I will go back to it.

@socarole66 1 month ago

Oh Karen, what dramas you went through and it was just a T shirt, that's not fair!! It is a lovely colour on you though, hope you do wear it. I hear you on shoulder dips, I have terrible ones and my bones pop out the other side of them 😂. I look at halter neck tops with envy as no way could I ever wear one. Why does it happen to some people and not others?! It's not fair 😢. Like you say, it's only when we do wide neck tops we notice it. I love the splits on that T and yes I have done T shirts (Style Arc Maddison) with bust darts and I hate them. Once I just left it out but it didn't fit well.
Hope you have a better week and sew next week ❤ xx

@patwalker2501 1 month ago

Instead of sewing the bust darts, you can ease in the fullness at the side seams. I think you need a smaller size for the upper chest area, and possibly lower the front center neckline and raise the center back. That t-shirt is an overall good look on you, and would be a great addition to anyone's wardrobe. I have not yet tried Cashmerette patterns, but that one is tempting!

@aliciaedwards8735 1 month ago

It is not so bad. What I have figured out is that there are some adjustments you do before you make a toile. I always have to lower bust points, add sleeve length and shorten the upper part of the bodice. So I do check these on every pattern first

@stillstitchin 1 month ago

I’m with Grace, wear a long necklace to bring attention away from the outside of the boatneck. Also, I can’t remember who I saw do this, but she added inserts inside the ends of the boatneck, because she found the style wasn’t for her. (Kind of like a modestly triangle in a V neck that is too low.) It wasn’t so much that kept her from getting her head through it, though. Just a little more fabric over her shoulders made the top wearable for her. The color is beautiful on you, so that’s really what people will notice, and the sleeve/hemband details are eye-catching. Have a great week! 😊—Deborah

@ShonieRay 1 month ago

I made a quick Wellfleet muslin from a jersey scrap. I didn't have enough fabric to make the sleeve and hem features. I had to do a little cap sleeve from another pattern. I love those details on your version! You did a great job on them.

I love a boatneck so I will probably try it again. I can take or leave the bust darts since I'm a sewing B cup.

I definitely have a few projects sitting in the "naughty pile". 😊 One day I may go back to them. Then I'll decide if they are worth finishing, refashioning, or tossing.

@GayleHallAZ 1 month ago (edited)

Thank you so much for your openness in sharing this make with us! There are two necklines I never buy or make for myself - boatneck and square. Boatneck because of the bra strap issue, and square because it conflicts with my jawline and I just don’t like the square look. I think a V-neck would be very complimentary on this top because of the slits at the hem of the sleeves and side seams.

I think you need an above-the-bust width adjustment of 1/2” to each side of the front and back bodice pattern pieces to eliminate the extra fabric bunching at the armhole area. As someone else suggested, look for a YouTube video on how to eliminate the dart and replace it with an FBA.

That Cashmerette bust dart has an upward curve to the horizontal line on your body that’s a bit odd. As you stated, it needs to be lowered if you decide to keep it.

If it were me, I’d just add the slit features to an existing tee pattern that I already know and love! By the way, that color blue looks really pretty on you!

@blossomsongofsongs 1 month ago

I think you generally need to add length above the sleeve notch to Cashmerette patterns. I do the opposite as a petite adjustment. That will also lower the bust dart further and put that pooled fabric where it belongs - at your bustline.

@RunningWithScissors-th8jo 1 month ago

I think your top looks very nice, Karen. I am not a real fan of boat necks because they tend to slip and slide and I’m constantly yanking them up! I usually finish my project, but I have been known to not like it and not wear it! 😜