tween style: denim sketchbook shirt

Last month on the blog we had a tween dress round-up, showing examples of how the Oliver + S patterns can work for older kids. We would like to continue to share more ideas and today we are happy to welcome Stacy who is the mother of two tweens. She is going to share how she customized a couple of tops for her tween daughter to create a layered look perfect for fall and winter. Although this look was made for a tween (which is the nine to twelve year old range), these ideas and tips can be used for other sizes, too. Thanks so much for being here Stacy!

Sewing for a tween can be an angst ridden process. They have definite opinions on what they want to wear, and are highly influenced by their friend’s retail fashions.

In order to please the tween, I do the following:

  • Ask her opinion on fabric selections and patterns before I start sewing
  • Add some bling (or…a lot!)

In today’s garment, I had shown her a catalog from a trendy tween store to get some ideas of what she wanted for fall. She saw some denim shirts that peaked her interest, so I used the Sketchbook Shirt pattern to make it for her (with modifications).

 

Customized Oliver + S Sketchbook Shirt

 

My daughter is thin, so I didn’t want the shirt to be too boxy on her. I omitted the back pleat to keep it a bit closer to the body. I used a stretch woven chambray, so it has some give to it. I also lined the inside of the yoke with a contrasting cotton, in addition to the inside of the placket, outside of the cuff and collar. Adding these kinds of details to a regular button up top can really make them fun. It is a great element in how the contrast on the placket shows when it is tied up on her torso.

 

Customized Oliver + S Sketchbook Shirt

The collar was modified to create a separate collar stand and collar. I just prefer it that way, as that is how I have always made my shirts. I find the collar stands up better that way, though it does take extra steps.

First, I used the existing neckband for the collar stand, and cut the collar along the red lines on the pattern piece below:

 

Oliver + S Sketchbook Shirt collar pattern pieces

 

Next, interface the pieces as the pattern calls for, and sew up the collar on the sides and top. Topstitch. Sandwich it in between the layers of the collar stand and sew:

 

Oliver + S Sketchbook Shirt collar pieces

 

Oliver + S Sketchbook Shirt collar assembly

 

Put them right sides out, and you are ready to attach it to the neckline. Topstitch the neckband after it is attached to the shirt.

 

Oliver + S Sketchbook Shirt collar assembled

 

The pattern is also written that the button placket and cuffs are one pattern piece, so in order to create the different inside/outside pieces I cut them in half and added a 1/2″ seam allowance. You can certainly keep the current pieces and just cut in one piece.

If you notice, you can see that the placket shows a bit of the inside fabric on the edge. You can make the inside a little bigger, iron it down so a little bit shows on the outside and topstitch in place.

 

Customized Oliver + S Sketchbook Shirt

 

Customized Oliver + S Sketchbook Shirt

 

Customized Oliver + S Sketchbook Shirt

 

Now the bling. You can find iron-on rhinestones just about anywhere these days. I purchased mine at a Michael’s store, but you can find them online or in other sewing stores. I added a strip to the yoke seams, and blinged up the pocket. This is a simple and easy way to make your clothes for your tween look more ready to wear. When washing, I wash on cold and always wash and dry inside out.

When placing the iron-on for the pocket, I started at the outside edges. That way I could place the ones on the inside to make sure it was all mostly even.

 

Adding iron-on rhinstones to the Oliver + S Sketchbook Shirt

 

Adding iron-on rhinestones to the Oliver + S Sketchbook Shirt

 

Adding iron-on rhinestones to the Oliver + S Sketchbook Shirt

 

All done, and she loved it!

 

Customized Oliver + S Sketchbook Shirt

 

Next, I also made the Field Trip Raglan T-shirt, with lace on the arms. The hot trend right now is lace, and this is such a nice and easy pattern to throw together. I just did a stretch lace overlay on the arms over a knit fabric. We get cold weather here soon, so I didn’t want just lace for the arms.

 

Customized Oliver + S Field Trip Raglan T-shirt

 

I did make modifications to this pattern, too. I cut the body width for a size 7 and a length of size 10. The wonderful thing about sewing for your kids is that you can modify patterns for their bodies. My daughter is thin, and she likes her shirts to fit close to her body (so it doesn’t slide up when she does handstands!). All you have to do is grade the arms from a size 10 at the bottom hem to a size 7 at the armscye.

 

Customized Oliver + S Field Trip Raglan T-shirt with lace sleeves

 

The bling I added for this shirt was a stencil I cut with my Cameo Silhouette. I have also done freezer paper stencils, art transfer paper (and here is a project I used it for), and iron-on rhinestones. Adding interest to the front of the shirt, especially something they like, really makes your mama mades shine for your tween.

 

Customized Oliver + S Field Trip Raglan T-shirt

 

I hope you liked my tweenified version of the Oliver + S patterns!



 

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8 Comments

  1. Very well done Stacy! Empathy on the tween sewing…

  2. Sarvi

    She seems so pleased! Successful, I’d say. Thanks for the tips on adding a collar stand. I like the look of it.

  3. This is wonderful, Stacy! And that’s a great way to convert the collar to a two-piece. Thanks for the post!

  4. Thanks so much, Ladies, and thanks Liesl for having me! 🙂

  5. Deb

    Thanks for the demo on adding a collar stand. I really like the creative bling you added, very clever. Both shirts are terrific. Perfectly tweenified!

  6. Ooh, nicely done, Stacy! And, yes, for tweens “bling” is definitely a plus. I love the grey and white palette.

  7. Both shirts are great! I really like the button down.:)

  8. Thanks so much, Ladies! 🙂

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