This week's pattern review is the Tee for Two raglan t-shirt/dress by Patterns by Figgy's.  I fell in love with the simple but stylish t-shirt dress as soon as I saw it, but never having had a lot of luck sewing knits I was hesitant about trying the pattern.  When I was at Spotlight recently I saw several cute knits and decided to use the Tee for Two pattern to make some nighties for Zoe, and if they worked then I'd get some good quality knit and make a dress.  I have made two nighties so far, and will definitely be getting some good quality knit to make a dress using the same pattern.

Pattern:  Patterns by Figgy's Tee for Two

Fabric: Knit fabric from Spotlight

Size: I made a size 4/5 for my petite just turned 6 year old

The Tee for Two pattern comes with a full sized pattern sheet and instruction booklet.  It is described as a pattern for beginners, and this is certainly true.  The dress only has three pieces to cut out (plus the neckband), and because the dress is designed to be made with raw edges showing, there are no hems to worry about. 

Of course the only caveat to suitability for beginners is the fact that this pattern is designed to be made from knit fabric, and knit fabric is not always the easiest fabric to sew with.  Knit fabric shouldn't be difficult to sew with.  This pattern doesn't require an overlocker, or even a machine with a special stretch stitch.  The instructions explain how to use a small zig-zag stitch to sew the seams, and there is a fabulous tutorial on the Patterns by Figgy's blog with extra tips to make sewing with knit fabric a breeze.

Now I happen to have a fabulous sewing machine which sews through plastic and heavy cotton webbing without even needing to change the needle.  But my machine does_not_like_knit.  Ooooohhh no it doesn't.  It won't even put stitches in the fabric unless I have a Janome stretch needle in it (that's right - not just any ball tipped needle will do - it has to be a Janome). 


 
Now if I can manage to sew these cute little numbers with a machine that thwarted my every attempt - imagine how great they would be on a nice knit-tolerant machine (I know people with very inexpensive machines who don't have any of the trouble I have and I'm seriously considering getting such a machine especially for knit sewing).

Anyway as you can see I didn't quite get the neck gathers right on the first attempt (above)...

 

But I'm really happy with the second. 


Oh and Zoe LOVES her new nighties (I'll get a photo of her in them once the top temperature rises above 11 degrees!).  I figure the bonus with these nighties is that they can double as dresses during the school holidays when nightclothes may still be worn well past lunchtime ;)

I will definitely be making this pattern again, and can't wait to try out some of the other Patterns by Figgy's designs.