This was an entirely unplanned little project that I ended up squeezing in at the end of a day’s sewing. I had been making baby tees for the new business called Maggs and Lowden that I have set up with my friend Hannah and was wearing this self drafted lace tee at the time.
It suddenly occured to me that the viscose jersey I was working with would couple really nicely with some of the cream lace I had left over in my stash! I love anything that involves cream lace and although there is a large selection of lace ready-to-wear items available on the high street I find that they tend to be pretty shiny and synthetic looking more often than not.
I didn’t have a set plan with the placement of the lace on the tee shirt and kind of let the circular pattern on the fabric decide that for me. Because I was just making it up as I went along I began by cutting out the whole front and back panels in the grey and then I aligned the lace on top so that the pattern was positioned centrally so that whatever I did would be even on both sides. With the pieces in front of me I decided to join the lace to the grey in raglan shaped style lines scalloping around the lace pattern. I attached the lace with a small zig-zag stitch and then just trimmed the grey away from the underside.
When I constructed this a few weeks ago I didn’t have my amazing cover stitch machine yet and my overlocker wasn’t working either so I used the stretch stitch on my regular sewing machine and a zig zag to finish off the inside side seams. The machine did a pretty good job! I used my twin needle on the hem to do ‘fake’ double chain and was pretty pleased with that result too. After that I applied a lace trim to the hem just cos I thought it would look cute and tie in nicely with the sleeves.
I have worn this numerous times already and have had more compliments on it than anything else I have ever sewn! I think I will be making a few of these up for birthday presents!
I generally wear this with my blue jeans and brown ankle boots but thought I would spare you yet another post of me in my regular jeans and add a splash of colour with my mint green ones and my pink converse. To throw in yet another pastel I added my lilac Cambridge satchel.
Have you ever had a random inspiration during a day at the sewing machine that turned into a favourite garment?
Thanks for reading!
41 responses to “Grey Lace Tee”
This is gorgeous! The quality of that lace is fabulous.
Ah thank you! 🙂
Wow Ami this is GORGEOUS!! I had admired this top in your last video so I am really thrilled you have shared how you made it, thanks so much for the inspiration, I love your minty jeans….where are they from if you don’t mind me asking!!!! Xx
That is really simple but gorgeous. Where do you buy your lace from? Good luck with your new business venture, I’ll be looking out for it.
Thanks Angela! I got this lace from a trade supplier who have luckily just opened and website for home dressmakers called whitetree fabrics. They sell loads of beautiful lace 🙂
Thanks Emma! The jeans are from Gap 🙂
So pretty! There is so much I love about the top. The lace is divine, and I agree with you on the quality of lace in many RTW. In fact, I find myself overly critical with most RTW fabrics, just purely because I am a big fabric snob and get my hands on gorgeous quality to sew myself. I love the way you finished the sleeve cuff/hems. Thanks for the inspiration!
Aw thanks Debbie, I am the same! I like something on first glance and then get so picky once I have inspected it further! Nothing wrong with being fabric snobs tho! Hehe!
Looks really lovely. Just had my own first disastrous attempt at using a twin needle on a Colette Moneta – a tutotial or video on that would be brilliant!
No trouble Joanne, great suggestion!
I love this! I’ve been on a Belcarra kick lately, and lace sleeves would work nicely with that pattern. Thanks for the inspiration! 🙂
You are welcome 🙂 and thanks!
Wow This is really gorgeous. I think it would look cool with a contrasting vibrant colour lace with grey marl tee material. You are one talented little lady!
Ah yep I like that idea- would give it a nice sporty, summery feel! 🙂
wow ami I love this. You look amazing. it really suits you. its made me think twice about using lace. xxx
Ah thanks Amy! Yep give lace a shot- cotton lace like this is so easy to work with too!
Love your ideas, inspirations, and video tutorials.
Ah thank you! 🙂
Gorgeous! You always have such lovely ideas
AH thanks Faye! 🙂
That is so pretty! Scraps of lace are so great for adding little details to a tee. Exciting about your business, wish you luck with it.
Ah thanks Katie 🙂
I love your quick creation. It looks great.
You have given me an idea for some of the lace scraps I have.
You are very creative.
Spanky
Ah I am glad to hear it! thanks! 🙂
Love the grey and lace mix! Looks really great 🙂
Thanks Zoe! 🙂
A very pretty outfit. The lace really lifts the grey jersey.
Thanks again for the pattern hack for the Reglisse by the way – I didn’t have the pattern but bought it once I knew I could use it for both dress and blouse. I’ve made a toile for the blouse in cheap fabric – just to make sure the size is right – and your instructions were spot on.
Ah yay! I am so happy to hear that! 🙂 Its a lovely pattern isn’t it- I love how sturdy the deer and doe paper is! 🙂
What a great tee! I love how you laid the lace on top of the fabric at the top of the bodice. Such nice work!
This is lovely! I’ll definitely be making a purchase when you launch! Xx
Ah thanks Ashlie! 🙂
This is SUPER cute! It’s really unexpected to see a sporty raglan-style top with lace details. Fantastic idea!
Ah thanks! 🙂
It’s gorgeous! I love it 🙂
I love this! It looks great – some people are in for some lovely birthday pressies! Good luck with your collection 🙂
Where did you get that lace? You have the prettiest lace always. I am visiting London in July and I will doing looking for fabrics….so if you have any suggestions of where I MUST go I would be grateful.
This top is fab. I want one, my daughter wants one, my sister wants one. Absolutely love it.
Very cute! Love your ideas!
This top looks beautiful, really inspiring too
Bee-utiful lady! Well done on the top, very simple and eye-catching.
I love this top so much and love how you paired it with pastels. You have great style!