Liesl + Co Chai Tee

This pattern is described as for 'confident beginners' and I think that's definitely the case. Most of it sewed up really quickly, the sleeves in particular we're really easy, however there were a few fiddly bits that were more challenging. I really struggled with the neckline but that was mostly my own fault.

I made view B with the turned up sleeves. I also lengthened the body because most patterns come up short on my torso, but actually I didn't need to do this.

You can read my full pattern review on my blog

https://soisewandsow.wordpress.com/2021/06/08/liesl-and-co-chai-tee-pattern-review/

I took this to the Sewing Weekender, but in hindsight it was a bit of a challenge to work a new pattern on the new sewing machine in that lively, busy, wonderful environment. We had access to overlockers as well as brand new Janome machines.

ASSEMBLY:
My first try is more of a toile / learning experience than something I'm happy to wear. As a learning experience, it is a win. I understand more about the instructions and what they intended, even though I had to change a few things as I went. Note that there are several steps where you are sewing 3 layers of jersey in one go and it will tend to splodge out or move around on you ... possibly with the topstitching, too. Even with an overlocker to neaten and finish the resulting seams, they are pretty thick. I did not have a walking foot -- my feeling is that it would have helped but not completely fixed the issues I had. The shoulder pieces are double thickness and the pattern uses the "burrito" method to finish one of the shoulders so that no seams are exposed inside on that side though you will have them exposed on the other side if you follow their instructions for binding the neckline edge. As I said, I was at the sewing weekender and would really have struggled with this step if not for the experienced and helpful lady beside me. I'd recommend checking on YouTube or other tutorials rather than scratching your head too long over the intricate text for that step. In addition to help me figure out the burrito method, we changed the finish steps on the neckline to work better with the space and equipment there.

FIT:
Looking at the cover and the model, I can see the fabric is a light jersey -- as they recommend -- but a little sturdier than the very light jersey I had in my stash. It may be worth noting that the model has a figure/shape where the tee is hanging primarily from the line of her shoulders (i.e. she is quite slim). I made an XL to match my chest measure and found the neck and shoulder a little large, the chest only just ok (I'd read other reviews about this being tight across the chest and pulling open the pleats). It's a little tight on my hips as I am certainly not shaped like the model. :-)

OVERALL:
Having thought carefully about this, I think I may take up the suggestion on the package that it can work with some woven fabrics as well -- it's the detail on the should that I like. That detail will come out nicely in a drapey woven. As a tee, probably not as I have other t-shirt patterns that are steady tried-and-true friends. I will definitely not use a stripe with angled pleats again.