T shirt Remake

Wow, I feel like I haven't posted or read a blog in forever. I've been super busy with work and getting ready for my trip. I'm leaving a week from today! I'm very excited and a little nervous. It's a long way from home and I won't be with anyone I know. I know it will be great, but the unknown is always a little scary.

One of the things International Messengers asks it's missionaries to do is to wear the IM Tshirt when traveling. This makes it easier to meet up with others in your group since I will be meeting someone in MN and the rest of the team in Amsterdam. I'm sure someone will be picking us up in Entebbe as well, so if we're all wearing IM garb, we'll definitely be noticeable. That and the white skin LOL! Any way, I am not a big T-shirt person. In fact, this is the only one I own. As a rule, Tshirts look terrible on me unless they are the fitted womens Ts like from Banana Republic or Old Navy. But concert Ts, logo Ts, any classic T-shirt - No Thanks. Well, I sort of HAVE to wear a Tshirt this time. I remembered seeing a pattern for a T shirt remake from Pamela's Patterns reviewd on PR. After trying on my original IM T, I immediately got online and ordered the pattern! I didn't take long to get here and today I finally got around to doing the makeover. The first thing you do is cut the sleeves off the orignal shirt, so that was a little scary. After that, I was ready to cut away! There are two pattern pieces, one for the body and one for the sleeve. The directions tell you what size to start with and even how to adjust for a fuller bust. I cut an XS in the shoulders and went out to the Small at the side seams. I didn't use the pattern hem line because my shirt wasn't long enough. Also, for the neck, I just cut a wider and deeper neckline and then finished it with fold over elastic.

From travel wear

There are adjustment lines on the pattern to raise the armscye and shorten the sleeve. Next time I will do this alteration. This pattern works best if you have a Tshirt that is bigger than your regular size. In fact, two sizes bigger would probably be ideal. Mine wasn't, but it still worked. I'm much happier with this T than I would have been with its original look.








I did finish the skirt that I wanted to make for my trip, but don't have pictures yet. I'm disappointed in the fabric. It is a cotton lycra blend and wrinkles terribly! I think it would have been less prone to wrinkle if it were e100 cotton. I will try to get pix because I do like the way the skirt turned out.