Late to the Plantain train

So the free Plantain tee pattern was released by Deer & Doe, what, like 20 years ago? I had printed the pattern, taped it all together and then promptly slide the entire thing under the bed in my sewing room. I don’t recall the circumstances that put it there, but there it sat for months. Months. I finally got tired of sucking it up in the vacuum cleaner, so I pulled it out and made the darn top.

I can’t believe I wait so long. This is a fabulous pattern.

I used the smallest size (34″ bust) and shortened the torso 1/4″-1/2″. I’m not sure I’ve ever cut a single size for a pattern, but there seemed to be enough flare at the bottom of the shirt to accommodate my larger-than-ideal-proportions waist and hips.

Disco dancing? Sure!

The fabric is Anna Maria Horner Sealing Wax, a beautiful knit. The fabric is pretty stable and easy to sew, not overly stretchy and is super comfortable to wear. The print is directional, though, so I wasted a bit of fabric trying to flip pattern pieces around (oops!).

I used my new serger to sew this one up, and here she is:

After being super duper annoyed with my machine for my last wrap dress, I impulsively bought a machine from Amazon, the Juki MO-654DE. It’s a tiny little thing compared to my 5-thread overlock/coverstitch Singer (essentially this one). I’ve only used the new Juki a handful of times, but so far I’m impressed. I chose Juki soley because it’s the brand we have at school for both sergers and straight stitch machines. I’m not scared of threading sergers (so no need for air-threading or it’s price tag), I just wanted something reliable. It’s quieter, smaller, and faster than my other serger, AND the tension isn’t all messed up, so hooray! I was happy enough to buy a bunch more knit fabric, so I guess that says something. 🙂