Meet the Kimberly Tee
I'm so excited to introduce you to my first pattern of 2021, the Kimberly Tee. As you may know, all of my patterns have a name associated with them. I chose to name this the Kimberly Tee after my mom. She loves her basic tees and always appreciates anything with a higher neckline. I personally love this pattern because it’s a quick project if you are an experienced seamstress. It’s also designed for comfort. It fits like a regular t-shirt that you’d order from any sort of fundraiser, but you can choose to dress it up or down based on the fabric or variation you choose. Below I'm outlining the different style variations, the project difficulty, and an FAQ.
Version 1:
This version fits exactly like a t-shirt you'd get from a school fundraiser. This basic tee can be made with either a neckband or neck facing, depending on your personal preference.
Version 2:
The top of this version fits like a regular t-shirt, but the lower portion has added volume. It includes an exposed seam at the shirt waistline and falls loosely from the body. It can also be made with either a neckband or neck facing.
Project Difficulty
This is an intermediate level project for anyone with basic sewing knowledge. Sewing along the curve of the neckline and sleeves isn't always the easiest for beginners. However, if you are interested in trying out these skills, this pattern is a great opportunity to practice and learn, especially if you've worked with knits before. Working with knits leaves lots of room for error because they're stretchy and can hide mistakes easily. The tee also isn't form fitting, so there's no need for perfect sewing skills. The step-by-step instructions include illustrated, written, and video instructions that you can follow along with. Below I've listed some skills you can expect to learn while making this tee:
- How to sew set-in sleeves.
- How to make a neck band and/or neck facing.
- How to sew gathers.
- The importance of ironing.
FAQ
Can I make this using my home sewing machine?
Of course! The pattern instructions include directions for using both a serger and a home sewing machine. Just make sure your home sewing machine is capable of doing a zig-zag stitch.
What is included with this pattern?
There are 2 different variations that come with this pattern (see illustrations above). The pattern instructions include detailed written and illustrated directions. There is also a video tutorial that walks you through every step of the printing, cutting, and sewing process.
What if I don’t know how to use digital sewing patterns?
Don’t you worry. I have a detailed video explaining the process of downloading and printing digital sewing patterns. It’s way easier than you may think.
I’m still new to sewing, will this be too difficult for me?
There’s no time like the present to learn a new skill. While this might take you a little longer than the recommended time, it’s definitely doable for those new to sewing. If you’ve never sewn before, I suggest you check out some of the patterns in the Free Content Shop. These are much smaller projects and more manageable to begin with while you learn to use your sewing machine.
I’ve only ever sewn with wovens before, will this be a difficult transition to sewing with knits?
When I started sewing, I began with wovens and was able to easily transition into knits. Knits are actually my favorite material to sew with now because there’s more room for error since they’re stretchy. Any of the clothing patterns in the Pattern Shop are great for people new to knits.
Do you have questions or comments about the Kimberly Tee? Feel free to send them straight to my inbox or let me know on social media.
