Pattern Review: Merlo Field Tee by Sew House Seven

I’m excited to share a Pattern Review with you today of the Merlo Field Tee by Sew House Seven. #merlofieldtee

Pattern Description: 

The Merlo Field Tee is a casual, comfortable and sporty knit tee. It has a slightly tomboyish vibe with its sporty stripes and curved hem, not to mention how perfectly it pairs with jeans.
Due to its wide, oversized body width, the Merlo is most flattering when sewn in a drapey knit fabric such as rayon, bamboo or Tencel knits. Cotton and linen knits also work but may result in a slightly boxy look. The contrast stripes are perfect for using up precious knit fabric left-overs. The pattern also offers two neckline choices and three sleeve length options.

contrast shoulder and upper sleeve stripes
contrast neckband
curved bottom hem
drop shoulder sleeves
roomy the through the body

wide neck version #1 – semi-wide, semi-scooped neckline

crew neck version #2 – a higher, rounded neckline

sleeve A – slim, long sleeves
sleeve B – three quarter length sleeves
sleeve C – banded short sleeves

Line drawing:

Pattern Sizing:

Bust: 31″ – 47″ (79cm – 119cm)

With the final version, I made Version 2, Option A (long sleeves).  I graded across sizes 4, 6, and 8 for this top.

Did it look like the photo/drawing when you finished sewing? Yes!  I was very happy with the finished result.

We’re the instructions complete and easy to follow? Yes, very easy to follow

Fabric used (did you use the suggested fabrics in the pattern)? Yes, I used a bamboo jersey.  The drape is perfect for this pattern.  The bodice is more loose and the arms are fitted (for a flattering contrast).  A rayon knit would be very nice with this pattern as well.

I picked the grey/white polka dot fabric for the main and the mustard fabric for the contrast (Telio Bamboo Rayon Jersey knits from fabric.com).  The floral voile and blue bamboo fabric shown in the photo is an idea I have for a future Merlo tee.

Did you alter the pattern in any way? I left the sleeves and body unhemmed.

Was there anything you disliked or would change? I LOVE the fit! I left my version unhemmed as I love the length as is. Next time I would add the hem length before cutting out the tee so that the final length matches the unhemmed length (add 3/4″ to the front and back bodice pattern pieces).

Would you sew it again? Yes!! I’d love to make the wide neck, short sleeved version next. With the shoulder and sleeve panels you can make so may different combinations and variations of this pattern. I’m also thinking of utilizing smaller scraps of fabric for future versions as well.

Would you recommend it to others? Absolutely!

Do you consider the pattern beginner/intermediate/advanced? Confident beginner

Does the pattern include layers for easy printing? Yes

Seam allowances used in the pattern: 3/8″

Is the pattern cut or no cut pages? Cut pages

I have a few pictures of my muslin to share, for reference.  This was an early version of the pattern.  I utilized the same main fabric for the shoulder panels to get a stripe look on the arms.

 

I found one fun feature in the pattern, it is great for layering!!  I picked a neutral color for the main portion of the top (grey with white polka dots).  I decided to wear a hand knit cardigan with the top and I found that the shoulder and sleeve panels can be hidden when layering (so the contrast panels can be “shown off” or hidden as it is layered with other garments).

I have another factor that I wanted to share, how quick the top was to sew up.  I used my Janome AirThread 2000D for this project (I’ll share more about that machine in a future post).  You don’t have to use a serger for this project, but it definitely helped with the speed.  I’ve had the fabric cut out and sitting on my sewing table, ready to sew, for months (a confession to share there).  I decided to squeeze in a few moments last night to see how far I could get on this project.  Truth be told, the sewing for this this garment only took one hour and two minutes!  I found that so funny, how long it had been sitting, waiting for me to sew (when it sewed up so quick).

Go and check out this lovely pattern, I highly recommend it!