envelope tees

Over Christmas and my birthday I was lucky to get a number of craft / sewing books as gifts. One of them is “Growing Up Sew Liberated” by Meg McElwee. I now own both of her books and I have to say, they are both really good. So, over the weekend I got to make my first project: envelope tees.

The pattern and instructions were very good, and it was a quick project. I made the first shirt for Maria (as practice) and I quite liked it. I then made a second shirt, in a smaller size, for our new member of the family.

The shirts are made of knit fabric, so they are soft and comfy to wear for little tykes. Most people are afraid to work with knits and give up after a first attempt, or don’t try at all. It is sad because knits are actually quite easy to master with the right tools (ball point needles, quality polyester thread, zig-zag stitch). And the best part about knits is that generally they don’t fray, so seam finishing is a breeze!

I am addicted! I’m planning on making quite of few of them for Maria to wear. The only thing I will change on the pattern is adding extra length. I found them slightly too short. The pattern also has a long sleeve version, which will be great for cooler months.