Thursday, June 26, 2014

SBCC Tonic Tee

I first heard about SBCC Patterns back when Pattern Review featured them a zillion years ago. If you didn't know, SBCC stands for "Skinny Bitch Curvy Chick" which elicited quite a few amusing remarks from the people commenting on Pattern Review. Personally, I think it's kind of funny, although I wouldn't name my business that way! As you can gather, the patterns are drafted with the ends of the spectrum in mind, though they're all petite sizes for us short people. The Tonic T-Shirt is a FREE pattern (via pdf download) and a great way to dip your toes into these patterns to figure out if you fit their drafting.


As you can see from this photo from their website, the t-shirt is fairly short and has narrow shoulders. There is a scoop neckline and nothing else fancy. Now don't get confused when you see my version:


I know, I know, it's exactly the same! Way to be original, right? This is a size XS with no modifications. The fabric is a heathered grey cotton knit from Girl Charlee. I think they've sold out of it, but it's the perfect t-shirt jersey and I've been hoarding it for something just like this.


The fit is excellent, which leads me to believe I must be a "skinny bitch". I don't know about that, but I do have narrow shoulders that I usually have to account for in other patterns. None of that here!


No back neck gape! Can you hear the trumpets blaring?


For what it's worth, I'm wearing a non-padded non-lifting bra in this photo. With a regular bra the shirt fits more tightly across the chest.


The neckline is nice and modest without being too high. I finished mine with my coverstitch machine as topstitching. One of these days I'll figure out my binding attachment and start using that on necklines.


The hems were also done on my coverstitch. YOU NEED A COVERSTITCH!


This is the perfect little t-shirt for lounging or wearing out, you're only limited to your imagination and fabric choices. When I make this again I will lengthen it by 1". It's fine the way it is, I just have a personal preference for shirts going past my pants waistband.

And if the short-sleeved Tonic 1 isn't enough, SBCC also released a long-sleeved version! This one has a crew neck and it is longer. The perfect layering piece, as they say on their site, and it is also FREE to download. Get the Tonic 2 here. I loved the SBCC instructions for this pattern, there were illustrations and very brief text. Great for someone who sews a lot of t-shirts and just needs to make sure she doesn't go so fast she forgets something (me).

Have you tried this pattern or another one of SBCC's patterns?

4 comments:

  1. I have the Tonic 2 pattern cut out and ready to go to make into a sleeveless t-shirt. I knew that I would want the longer version so I decided to start with that one. I have several t-shirt type patterns that I want to try this summer - after reading your review, I was happy with my decision to start with this one. Hopefully it fits me as well as it fit you! And, yes, I know that I need a coverstitch machine. I'm saving up for it. :)

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    1. Haha no pressure on the coverstitch! But it is awesome, I can't deny it!

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  2. Whaaat, a pattern that fits narrow shoulders? Count me in!
    So jealous of the coverstitch! Is Girl Charlee THE place to go for good quality knits? It's so difficult to find knits that are a) good quality and b) not meant for children :D

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    Replies
    1. I love GC, I buy almost all my knits there. The prices can't be beat. They do carry a lot of lightweight knits, so you have to read the descriptions carefully to make sure the fabric will fit your needs.

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