Harriet Tee x DIBY Review
This post is my honest opinion using a pattern I received free of charge from Do It Better Yourself Club.
Today I’m sharing my review of my second Do It Better Yourself (DIBY) pattern, the Harriet Knot Tee. To read about my animal print Helen Dress from DIBY, head to this link, and keep scrolling for more of my new tee!
As I mentioned in my post about the Helen Dress, the instruction booklets for DIBY patterns are impeccable, and the Harriet instructions are no different. The information is well organized and virtually everything you’d want or need to know—like, size charts, finished measurements, style options—is included in an easy to navigate format. I am still particularly happy about the fact that they provide common fit adjustments for the garment right there in the pattern instructions. For the Harriet, there are steps for grading sizes, lengthening or shortening, and doing a full bust adjustment (FBA), and advice on which adjustments to make first if multiple are needed. The full bust adjustment is really helpful because it also covers how to adjust the knot tie and facing with the new FBA piece as well. It might seem like such a small detail to be happy about, but since an FBA is such a common adjustment, I love that DIBY has included comprehensive instructions and guidance for the specific pattern so anyone making it will know exactly what to do and won’t have to waste time searching for that information elsewhere.
My only “critique” of the instructions, again, is simply a preference for the order of steps for construction. The Harriet tee has a vneck neckband, which the maker is instructed to attach to the shirt at the end, after the body is completely assembled. I find it easier to attach the neckband after the shoulder seams are sewn, so that’s how I made my Harriet. Of course a quick read through of the pattern would alert you to this and you could proceed with whichever method you prefer. The instructions do include a link to a video tutorial if sewing vneck neckbands is new to you, and I do like how they prep the neckband and shirt front before sewing them together for a really nice finished neckband.
Similarly, I also chose to attach my sleeves while the shirt was flat (before the side seams were sewn), as opposed to in the round like the instructions direct. Especially on something like a knit tee, I don’t think its important to sew the sleeve on in the round, and its much easier to handle the fabric when sewn flat. And while we’re talking about the sleeves, it might be helpful to know that the sleeve is not cut on the fold. I know some people have strong feelings about whether a knit tee sleeve should be cut on the fold or if the front and back curves should be different, so if that matters to you, yay! Here’s a tee pattern you’ll like.
DIBY patterns have two size blocks included in the pattern: a “misses” range of 00-20, and a “plus” range of 14-36, going up to a 67” hip. For my Helen dress I made a size 18 on the standard chart, but for my Harriet tee I decided to try the more curve friendly drafting of the “plus” chart and made a size 16, which aligns best with my measurements. I did not make any modifications to the pattern.
I’m very happy with the fit of this shirt. Its not oversized or too tight—it skims over my body and is relaxed, just as described. I often have to do a narrow shoulder adjustment but the shoulders of this tee fit me comfortably, and the sleeves aren’t too snug either. I chose the standard vneck and its pretty much a perfect height for me and what I like to wear. I’m pretty pleased with the way the shirt fits right out of the printer!
I made my tee out of some modal jersey knit I bought last year from Blackbird Fabrics and it pairs beautifully with the Harriet tee. Its a more substantial fabric so I don’t have to wear a cami under my tee (especially in this dark Merlot color), but its still soft and a little slinky. This is one of my favorite fabrics for t-shirts! Its not in stock anymore but they do have this cotton modal jersey in a few colors that would also sew up just as well.
I really love my new knot tee and was so happy to make another pattern from Do It Better Yourself Club. Well written instructions always put my mind at ease as I’m working, which of course makes for a relaxed and more enjoyable sewing session. I’m already making plans to sew the Anna Button Up Skirt to go with it!
If you’d like to try out one of their products they have a range of free patterns, including basic tees for women, men, and kids, as well as leggings and a hi-lo skirt. They also have a few free accessories patterns and a super helpful free guide to sewing knit apparel. And while sometimes designers’ free patterns are bare bones with sparse instructions or only one size, you can be confident that the free patterns are just as thorough and carefully made as their other patterns, so you’ll really get a feel for how they do things. And if you’d like to see the Harriet in other styles and fit to lots of different body shapes, head to the tester round up!
