Pattern Review: The Saldana t-shirt

Alright!  I usually only post once a week, but I had to let you know about Sew Sew Def Magazine’s PDF top, The Saldana.  Sometimes when I post a picture of something I’ve made, people have lots of questions so I’m writing a quick review on my first impressions of the pattern.   I like magazines, but I usually don’t buy them because they start to collect dust and I rarely go back through them.  I don’t know here lately, I’ve been looking at Vogue magazine and other sewing magazines for tips, inspiration, etc.  When the SEW Sew Def magazine came out, I purchased it, why, because it’s a PDF and I don’t have to worry about storing it.  Secondly, I usually don’t purchase magazine’s for $10 but I wanted to support Mimi and Norris, I mean, why not, they are helping a sister out, giving good content and free patterns!  Well,  I like it ya’ll!  I basically sewed it straight with only one adjustment, which is my forward shoulder.  

 

 

Pattern Description:

 
THE SALDANA is the perfect every day maxi dress or high-low t-shirt
pattern. This pattern can take you from day to night and can be casual,
chic and sexy depending on your fabric choice, shoes and accessories.

Mimi G Saldana Tee

SEWING LEVEL:

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

 
Yes, I didn’t color block, but it looks the same.  I sewed the top

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Yes, the instructions walk you through each step, I like the V neck instructions, my V necks usually look like a “U” but her instructions help me to get a nice V.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

 
I love the fact that you get a top, knee length dress and maxi.  I also like the shaping in the front and back, V neck band, shaped high low hem , 1/4 inch seams and the optional top stitching instructions.  There are no real dislikes for the way the pattern is drafted.  It’s not drafted for plus size so I will still need to make minor adjustments, but overall I don’t have any dislikes other than the size range.  I would like sizing to go up to at least a 3X.

Fabric Used:
Polyester foil jersey from Joann’s

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

 
I made a forward shoulder adjustment as it’s my standard adjustment because of my rounded shoulder and back.

Would you sew it again? 
Yes, I think this would be cute in a woven as well as a knit if you size it right.   I want to make this in a stretchier fabric, my jersey had just at 25 % stretch and I would have liked it to drape a little more, that was my choice of fabric and the fact that it was my wearable muslin and I didn’t do an FBA.   I would like to try a Rayon/Lycra or a nice challis size down in the waist and hip.

* I will need to adjust the shoulder & armscye.  The finished measurements were 49.5 inches, which is my preferred amount of ease for my 46″ bust.  However, in a knit, I usually go for a 46″ finished measurement.  Although this top is a knit, it tugged a bit at the armscye so I will either need to adjust the shoulder or do a small FBA.
*Sleeve had a good amount of ease for a knit, the finished bicep measurement was16.5 inch.
* I didn’t need to lengthen the hem which is good but I may adjust the amount of ease at the hip so it can be shaped more.  Hip ease is about 63 inches.
* I’m not a fan of the gathering at the upper back, my upper back is round enough and it doesn’t lay flat, I may consider adjusting the main back piece to make a yoke and move the gathering stitches to mid back instead of the neckline.
* My neckband was too short, not sure if it was the amount of stretch in my fabric or I traced it wrong, but I had to recut my neckband.

Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, it was a free pattern with the magazine and I really like the shaping in the front and the back.  I also like the options for color blocking and the V neck, all are very flattering.

I want to hear from you, what do you think?  Have you sewn this pattern,  have you subscribed to the magazine? did you like it, do you
have plans to sew it?

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