Garnet tops (+ dog tees)

As you might know, my wardrobe is mostly consisted of dresses, which is something that I had wanted to fix since the beginning of the year. But there were always some pretty dress patterns that distracted my attention and I kept making more dresses.

A couple of months ago I bought these pair of denim from Modcloth on a whim. Note to self: there are certain times each month when I have to avoid online shopping site. Anyway, it is a high-waisted skinnies in stretchy materials and was the most loved item in denim section so I clicked and bought them in size 3. It turned out that I really like this denim! I wore them almost everyday this summer but the lack of tops in my wardrobe doesn’t offer too much choices to wear with the denim pants. So I searched for a basic top pattern with enough interesting details to keep me motivated and found it in Tamanegi-Kobo, a Japanese pattern store.

The pattern is called Garnet. It is designed for knit fabric and offers two options of sleeve, gathered cap sleeves and open shoulder with elbow length sleeves. I love that the bodice is quite basic with enough shaping. I can alter it to an ordinary T-shirt or tank top. The instructions are in Japanese but it is a simple pattern so it was quite easy.
Garnet tops Garnet tops

I happened to find some knit fabric in three different patterns, each is about 1.2 m. The first top that I cut is the black dots on light pink fabric. The fabric is quite thin and fragile and it was sort of a muslin for this pattern. I cut size S and it fits me right without too many alterations except for shortening the sleeves. I then  shortened the bodice too because I like to wear the tops not tucked in. Since the pattern is shortened, I managed to cut two tops for each of the next two fabrics!

Garnet tops Garnet tops

Garnet tops Garnet tops

The sleeves and neckline of the tees are finished with knit binding. Instead of binding, I just serged folded strips of fabric along the edge and then topstitched them from the right side. The topstitching was done in zigzag stitch with width set on 0.5 and length on 3. For the blue cap sleeved version, I used plush elastic to finish the sleeves and neckline.

Garnet tops Garnet tops

And of course, matching dog tees from the leftover fabrics! It will be like mother-daughter outfits! Or not.

Dog tees Dog tees Dog tees

Top pattern is Garnet by Tamanegi-kobo, size S (PDF)
Dog tee pattern is free tank top pattern by MillaMilla, size S (PDF)

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13 Comments

  1. You have been busy! I love sewing with knits because the projects seem to go much faster. The trick is finding good knit fabrics. I love all your tops, and I know how you feel I’m always in need of cute T’s. The doggy shirts are adorable too!

  2. Not only are your tops amazing (and so well made, no knits shirts I make look that nice hehe) but so are Bashu’s! Not sure how many photos is took to catch the pictures with her sitting by you but they are simply adorable! I’m sure she loves and appreciates the new tops :)

    1. Bashu was wondering what I was doing standing and walking back and forth to the camera. That is why she kept looking at me. ‘What are you doing?? Why are keep looking at me and smiling? Is that a treat that you are staring on the floor?Will you give me a treat?’
      She’s so funny :P

  3. These tees look so comfortable! My faves are the short-sleeved versions: just perfect for the hot weather right now! Also, I re-browsed Tamanegi kobo website: they offer quite a few original patterns, for instance your Evan trousers. Hmmm tempted to try one, hopefully they’ll suit a tall gal like me :)

    1. I think Evan trousers will look better on you than me! I have quite a hip so I feel it makes my hip look even wider., But they are so comfortable! Yoshimi from http://yoshimitheflyingsquirrel.blogspot.jp/ often use Tamanegikobo patterns and I believe she lengthens the pants pattern since she is quite tall.

      PS: sorry that you had to comment several times, I don’t know why but they are in the spam folder. It has happened several times so now I check my spam folder everyday :)

  4. I love the tops and Bashu’s tees are just crazy funny :)
    It’s a shame you don’t like to tuck in your tops. The high waist jeans must look great, but nobody can see it :(

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