Golf Shirt review and a website review all rolled into one!

I’ve been a bad blogger lately.  Spring gets hectic around here, and, quite frankly, after the wedding I was exhausted.  I always want everything to go perfectly- which I think it did- but boy oh boy that takes alot out of a woman. 
Still no bridesmaid or wedding dress blogging happening.  I really want the photographers photos as ours are all so casual quick shots that day.  I know they are busy though, so maybe if it rains tomorrow night I will give in! 
The weather is gorgeous today, and it smells sooo good outside.  Every year on this weekend we barbeque a pig for a weekend party that MyMikes sister’s organize.  The charcoal gets started at about 5am and we keep an eye on it all day.  The city slickers that we feed in the evening always get such a kick out of it, and will like it even more this year as we kept the head on.  (rereading that it sounds gross- sorry!)  The taste of fresh pork right off the barby is something that should not be missed.

On to the review.  A few weeks ago there was a discussion on PatternReview about a line of patterns by a Canadian woman.  Here is a link to Trudy Jansen Design

I liked what I saw in the designs enough to shell out what, for me, was quite a bit of money for some patterns that I had no experience with.  Trudy’s website is not secure and she asks customers to email their order in and call with payment details or send a cheque through the mail.  It took a few days of telephone tag to get us together, but when we at last did – she called me at 9:30 pm my time which was 7:30 her time- we had a delightful conversation.  She is a very experienced seamstress and I am trying to remember what Canadian dignitaries she has sewn for!  She teaches classes, and offered to put one together for me next time I am in Alberta.  We discussed her designs- she drafts for a “C” cup, which she feels reflects the sizing of most of her clientele.  and what alterations were neccessary for smaller cup sizes.
“So“, I muttered to my little B’s who were eavesdropping, “when they were handing out C cup genetics, you just had to sneak into my DNA didn’t you?!”
But, for the millionth time, I digress.
From our PR discussions, it seems like everyone had the same experience.  Loved the pattern images, enjoyed speaking with Trudy.
It was time to see if the patterns met up with expectations.
I decided to order 2 patterns. Quite honestly, I could have purchased a lot more, as there were many designs that I was drawn to.  For an initial purchase however, I chose a Golf Tee pattern and one of her many coat patterns.

On to the review…

Trudy Jansen Design Pattern # 707
Tailored Tee Shirt or Golf Shirt

Pattern Description:  (from the website) This well fitted T-shirt has a tailored look with  contour line detail. Easy to sew, easy to fit. Three different neck lines are also included in the pattern. 
The pattern includes a polo necked tee, as well as 2 variations of scoop necked tees as well as a mock turtleneck version.

Pattern Sizing: 8-22  I made a size 10 and was happy with it.  I wear a size 10-12 in RTW and make a 40-42 in BWOF. 

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes it did.  I would suggest that the placket is not as long as pictured in the drawing.  I may make it longer in future versions.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Because this was a review of a pattern from a new -to-me line, I decided to follow the directions to a the letter.  Hands down some of the best instructions I have ever seen.  Clear, conscise, and included some good ideas.

What did you particularly like  or dislike about the pattern?  I am a pretty avid golfer.  Not pretty good , but I enjoy going out once or twice a week and walking 9.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE  golfing clothes though!  The price of RTW I don’t like so much though.  That and the polo shirts I get are either too big- you know, the ones you always seem to win in tournaments- or, after a washing or two, the length seems to disappear.  I have a few polo shirt patterns- Jalie and Vogue come to mind – they were pretty much wadders.  So when I saw this golf shirt with armhole princess seaming even(!)  I was ready to try again.
2. Didn’t like the price of the pattern, but since it has, after 1 mockup, become a TNT, it was well worth the price. 
3.  Ziplock bag.  Gotta love it.
4.  4 necklines in one pattern- bonus!
5.  Trudy had a very small drafting error in the packet seam allowance, and added the new piece to the envelope with a “please replace this pattern piece”  note on it. 
6.  No notches.  Not a big deal for me, but some people are addicted to them.
7.  There is either a layout error, or I mis read, but I ended up cutting out 2 collars from the main fabric.  Any idiot (except me it seems) would realize from looking at the pattern piece, that you only need one.
8.  Tee pocket on the sleeve – LOVE IT!  I know it’s a small thing, but in this day and age, small things matter. 

Fabric Used:  Sky blue Malden Mills Powerdry from the stash.  If I had to guess, I would say it came originally from Rose City Textiles.  I bought some activewear fabric from them a few years ago, and liked the fabric and the service,. They later changed their website, and it became – for me- really difficult to navigate.  When I just looked up their site for this link, it looks like it is more manageable, so I may have to give them another try- now that stash has gone! 

Construction process/ Design changes:  I made this one straight from the envelope with few alterations to the design.  The pattern calls for the placket and collar to be cut from a contrast woven fabric, but I choose to use the same powerdry as the body.  Instead of serge finishing the placket edges and the neckline edge, I used a fun bias binding.  I topstitched the princess seams.  I added a self designed ball pocket to the lower body.   One thing that I did that may or may not have been neccessay was interface under where the tee pocket was placed.  If your fabric is any beefier than the powerdry, it is likely not necessary. 
There is a bit of fit tweaking to be done for the next rendition.  That tweaking all has to do with my body, not the pattern drafting which is spot on.
Next  time I will make the shirt longer by an inch or two.  I am a tall person though, so that is to be expected. 

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? You better believe it!  This pattern has so many design opportunities.  I am a definate fan!

Conclusion:  If you like the current  golf trends but don’t like shelling out the bucks, buy this pattern and let your imagination go wild.  If you like armhole princess seams and are looking for a good, basic tee pattern, get this one.  In fact, if you sew- get this pattern!