Maria Denmark Kirsten Kimono Tee

I finished the sewing on my pink corduroy jeans, but I'm waiting for some particularly fabulous rivets to arrive so that I can add the final touches. In the meantime, I decided to whip out a few quick knit projects, since the Stashbusting Challenge this month is to sew up some knits.

I started with this fabric that was left over from this dress. It was a small piece, maybe a yard in length, but weirdly shaped and most of the cool border print was gone. I needed a pattern that used a minimum of fabric, and had few pieces so I wouldn't have to chop up the print.

The Maria Denmark Kirsten Kimono tee is perfect. And free, which possibly makes it even perfect-er.

I graded between sizes at the bust in front as a cheater FBA and cut a smaller size through the front shoulder. With a pattern this simple, alterations come down to how much space you have at the side seam, so grading between sizes is the way to go, and also really easy.

Since I only had a small piece of the floral border, the back is solid black. You can appreciate the fit a little better back here. It's pretty shapely for a garment with only three pieces.

One thing I really like about this pattern is the sleeve. It is a really nice length for me, and it doesn't gape at the lower armhole. So many of these cut on kimono style sleeves are cut wide enough to expose undergarments, which I dislike intensely. This one is perfectly snug, but still very comfortable.

I wore my new tee after church on Mother's Day. I had worn the "matching" dress to church that morning and my kids were so confused that I suddenly had my skirt on as a shirt! I paired it with my Vogue 1059 wide leg jeans. I was very pleased with the top all day long. It's very easy to wear.