Managing Mandy... I ran across some pics of the Tessuti Mandy Boat Tee on Flickr a few days ago and got curious. It's a free download and apparently enjoys some popularity. It also looks very similar to the Grainline Studio Hemlock Tee (also gratis), so I decided to give it a try.
I've only purchased one Tessuti pattern, the Gabby dress, expensive at $10 for the PDF version, and I was surprised by the hand-drawn pattern and poor drafting. I basically redrafted the whole thing and decided not to buy any more of their patterns.
But the Mandy is free - no pain no gain. A look at the line art:
I'm not picking on them, but it's invited. The pattern says the bust width is 58" (148 cm) - after flat measuring 3 times, I come up with 52" at the bustline, drawn through a bust apex at 10.5" down from the shoulder. At the armhole the width is 54". Now, that's a big difference.
My first version was a wipe-out. The boatneck was uncomfortably high, the back and front side edges didn't align well, and I could barely get the sleeve on my arms. But that's the purpose of a muslin.
A couple more pics of my remake of the Mandy, then on to sewing notes:
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| Fabric - poly/cotton/lycra from Fabric Mart |
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| Aaack - what a smug look! not intended... |
Sewing notes - This is a one-size-fits-all pattern, so I did a little fitting before I drafted my pattern:
- Decreased the bustline width to 46":
- Removed 1" at CB and CF (1/2" at the fold line).
- Removed an additional 4" (1" each side of CF and CB, midway down the shoulder).
- Added 6" to the body length, back and front, using the lengthen/shorten line on the pattern.
- Tweaked the sleeve:
- Removed 2" from the length of the sleeve.
- Added 1/4" to each sleeve side seam. The resulting bicep width is 13".
- On the body, lowered the armscye by 1/4" to fit the new sleeve.
For my second/current version, I redrew the neckline using the scoop neck on the Hemlock tee. Much more comfortable.
I'm super happy with my Mandy!
Right after taking these pics, I wore this outfit to an appointment, styled with a favorite Ora Delphine hobo bag - I'm so prissy...
Bye for now! Coco
Wow! You really created your own Mandy, for sure. I am impressed. And I like yours a lot. Ooooh...and what perfect stripe-matching.
ReplyDeletethanks, Martha! those stripes - it's stubborness...
DeleteGreat job! But really, doesn't Grainline do such a nice job with their patterns on the whole?
ReplyDeleteI'm about to embark on the Fen dress by Fancy Tiger Crafts, wish me luck!
Love the bag.
OMG, what a great shop, Fancy Tiger Crafts...the indie selection, the fabric. Could go crazy there! And yes, Grainline is so dependably well done, end to end.
DeleteIt looks so comfy. Love the top!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dorothy!
DeleteWell, it looks terrific on you! I love a good striped Tshirt, we all need one don't we? :) So versatile and they seem to go with everything. I haven't tried the mandy yet, I really should give it a go sometime
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carolyn. Yes, there's something about a striped shirt! And shoes - I'm loving your adventure, each is better than the last. Inspiring!
DeleteVery pretty and comfortable looking too!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Myra - and I enjoyed your recent interview on Faye's Sewing Adventure - neat!
DeleteThe only point is that this is not a Mandy anymore. It is a Coco. So yoo are super happy with your own pattern. Carmen
ReplyDeleteSo true! thanks so much.
DeleteLove your new top, Coco. You always send me on a journey to look things up. This time is was the hobo bag. Where did you get it? On the Facebook site for "The Girl Next Door Boutique," I came across this saying and it applies to YOU: THEY CAN IMITATE YOUR STYLE, BUT THEY CAN'T IMITATE YOUR CREATIVITY! Well done on making this top YOURS! Now I have to look up the Mandy top.
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you, Margene. Made my morning. The bag - It's from the Ora Delphine online shop, but - over the last couple years I've gotten 3 bags there as Good Morning America Steals and Deals at hugely reduced prices (about $89). Otherwise I could never have afforded them on my retirement income :-) They are beautiful bags. My other two are pink and marigold and are the Adele design ..http://oradelphine.com/
DeleteYou made changes to make the pattern work for you. And it looks great on you!
ReplyDeletei saw this post about your Tessuti pattern and I had to reply even though its from a while ago . I agree that they are expensive but I have found them to be really good , very stylish and to go together really well.I have made about 5 of their patterns and will keep making them as they are not fashionable but are really stylish and timeless . Maybe it has something to do with the pattern blocks they are using not fitting you particularly well.
ReplyDeletei saw this post about your Tessuti pattern and I had to reply even though its from a while ago . I agree that they are expensive but I have found them to be really good , very stylish and to go together really well.I have made about 5 of their patterns and will keep making them as they are not fashionable but are really stylish and timeless . Maybe it has something to do with the pattern blocks they are using not fitting you particularly well.
ReplyDelete