PatternReview.com online sewing community
Join our community of 579,235 sewists!
SIGNUP Membership is free and includes 1 free lesson
Login |
Join our community of 579,235 sewists!
Signup | Login
Pamela's Patterns Tee Shirt Makeover 103 pattern review by nancynrice

photo
Friend of PR 
   
nancynrice starstarstarstar
MO United States
Member since 3/6/16
132 Reviews (patterns: 116)
Skill: Intermediate
Favored by 259 people
Type: Tops
Fabric: Cotton Jersey  [See other projects in this fabric]
Fit: Skims the body (gently follows body's curves)
Pamela's Patterns 103 available on PR for $11 Pattern Details
Categories: Tops  
Pattern Description: This pattern remakes an oversized tee into a more feminine, shaped one

Pattern Sizing:

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

Were the instructions easy to follow? yes

Fabric Used: A cotton knit ready-made graphic tee.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

One recently retired gal in my online membership community has been putting together darling casual outfits using graphic tees – a style category totally missing from my own wardrobe. I’ve always disliked those tees because of their dropped shoulder styling and boxy fit.

Then I discovered Pamela Legget’s T-Shirt Makeover Pattern. You simply lay the pattern pieces over the original (oversized) tee, aligning the shoulder line and recutting the armhole and side seams for a more feminine silhouette and a contoured bottom edge. Similarly you lay the sleeve pattern on the original garment sleeve and cut a traditionally rounded sleeve cap, retaining the original hem.

Reassemble the pieces, fuse and stitch the lower hem. Fold down the neckline to the inside and stitch in the ditch to create a more polished, narrower finish. The “ditch” proved elusive, so I secured the fold edge to the inside with hand stitching instead - see close-up photo. PRESTO- a fun fashion garment.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
Because I have a short torso, I added two tucks along the side seams to take up excess length and create a bit of drape to camouflage some mid-body “soft tissue”. For future re-makes I'll tuck the pattern instead before cutting. I’ll also cut the hem with a bit more contour.

And because I prefer a V neckline over even this more polished round one, I think next time I’ll save the cut-off hem fabric to use as “ribbing” for that finish.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Absolutely - what a fun fashion upgrade for event and protest tees!

Conclusion: I always expect at least 3 mix/match options for any item I add to my wardrobe, and the black/white/red/gray color scheme of this graphic gave me far more than 3 possibilities. I especially like pairing it with much dressier tweed trousers for an unexpected twist.

Pamela's Patterns 103 available on PR for $11 Pattern Details
Categories: Tops  
Fancy Frocks Fabrics
Fine Designer Fabrics
Elliott Berman Textiles
High-end Fashion Fabrics
Specials!
Nature's Fabrics
Natural & Organic Fabrics
Specials!
6 Comments
Kayseri said...(1/25/25 3:03 AM ET)   
Very cute top. Welcome to the club of "reshaping tees to something that isn't a boxy, ugly, rectangle. "
  
Seamingly Simple said...(1/24/25 8:17 AM ET)   
Thanks for raising awareness of this pattern. I'll bet most of us receive unflattering straight-cut t-shirts from time to time. You've shown us how to make them stylish.
  
Nannerl said...(1/22/25 9:01 PM ET)   
That IS a really great idea! I might just have to go buy some oversized T's to try this with!
  
QuiltSewSewSue said...(1/22/25 7:03 PM ET)   
Wow, what a great idea. I have tried to makeover tee shirts and it is not as easy as you think it would be. Fabulous to find there is a pattern to do just that. I am going to take a better look at this pattern, Love your combos with this tee, looking fab as usual!
  
oklabecca said...(1/22/25 5:55 PM ET)   
"I always expect at least 3 mix/match options for any item I add to my wardrobe." Wise words. I would do well to adopt them. Thanks for posting the review.
  
nancynrice replied...(1/23/25 10:35 AM ET)
I holdmyself accountable to that standard by trying to post photos of the 3 ways with most of my reviews. Even with a 1-piece dress I look for ways to accessorize it up and down the casual-to-more-formal scale. Or spanning the seasonal weather changes ...
Any registered trademarks mentioned on this page are the property of their respective owner. Valid and accurate reviews and comments are the responsibility of their posters. As per its Terms and Conditions, PatternReview.com is not responsible for and does not validate or verify the accuracy of these statements. Posters you are responsible for your comments so please ensure that these are substantiated.
Selected Reviews, Classes & Patterns