In our Instagram feed, we sometimes share RTW (ready-to-wear) looks that we come across that would be easy to recreate with a Blank Slate Pattern.
With a split neckline view included, the Austin Tee is almost ready for this look already! The center front panel and cuffs are made from a lightweight woven. Here’s how to make it:
Ignore the center front extension for the split neck version on the original pattern piece. We’ll use the fold line at CF for this one.
- Decide how wide to make your front panel. The inspiration one is about 4″ total, but you could go a little narrower or wider depending on your size/proportions. Add 1/2″ to this for seam allowance, then draw a line on your front pattern piece, that far away from and parallel to the center front edge. (This is the red line in A above.)
- Draw another parallel line 1″ to the right of the first one. (This is the blue line in A above.)
- Trace a pattern piece that starts at the red line and includes everything to the right of that, then fold the original pattern piece along the blue line. You’ll end up with the two pattern pieces as shown in B and C above.
- From your knit fabric, cut 2 mirrored Fronts (B). From your woven, cut 2 Front Panels (C) on the fold. On your Front Panel pieces, mark the center on the bottom edge, and mark the dot as per the original pattern.
- Place the Front Panel pieces right sides together. With a fabric marker, draw a line on one of the pieces from the dot down to the center of the bottom edge. (This line should be equidistant and parallel to the sides of the panel). Stitch this line, as shown in the illustration above. Be sure to reinforce your stitching at the dot with several backstitches.
- Fold the panel pieces away from each other so that each has its wrong sides together. Press well.
- Stitch each edge of the front panel piece to the t-shirt Front pieces with right sides together, using a 1/2″ seam allowance.
- Proceed with the t-shirt assembly as shown on page 8, step 3.
- If you want to use the woven for your long sleeve cuffs, you just need to make sure they’ll go over your hands, since they won’t stretch. Measure around your hand at its widest circumference. Shorten the long sleeve piece by 2″ at the bottom of the sleeve (not in the center where you would usually lengthen/shorten). If the adjusted bottom edge is not as wide as your hand measurement plus 1″ seam allowances, widen accordingly. Cut a cuff piece the same width, then attach it in the last step in lieu of hemming.