Grainline Studios Lark ~ a drawer filler

I’m afraid my dresser drawer may have less space this spring and summer …

The Inspiration

The inspiration for this project wasn’t this exact top, but rather the fabric, print, and general shape of Boden tops. Over the years I’ve bought a lot of Boden and love their bright colours in whimsical, often graphical prints. Boden’s attitude is a little bit cheeky. And that’s fun.

The Fabric

Another Art Gallery knit. I’m becoming a walking billboard for Art Gallery fabrics. I found this particular cotton jersey at Topstitch Atlanta where it was still on the next season shelf when I shopped on a cold day in late January.

This is sort of pomegranate, with grey in the centre of the flowers, and goldenrod leaves. Both of these colours are in the other fabrics I bought the same day with the intention of having coordinated garments for when we take our Spring holiday. Was I buying RTW, the fabric alone would have called to me.

The Pattern

I could have made a sixth (yes, numero 6) version of the Deer & Doe Plantain, however, I’ve read plenty of positive reviews of the Grainline Lark, and it offers a v-neck option (which Plantain does not) so I decided it was time to try something new.

Lark is a basic t-shirt with options for sleeves and neckline. Unlike the Plantain, which has more of an elliptical shape, the Lark is straight up and down. It is designed to have some ease, but it’s really just columnar in shape. Maybe it has ease if you’re size 6 …

Sewing Notes

Describe this project in 2 words: Super easy!

I machine washed and dried the fabric (no shrinking), measured myself to select the right size, then traced the pattern onto Swedish Tracing Paper because I am still operating under the premise that one day I’ll be a smaller size and if I trace the pattern I can still use the size 8 (ROFL). I did no adjustments. I cut an 18 which is the right size for my waist and bust, but per the pattern information this would give about an extra 3″ of ease on my hips. The completed garment fits – there is no additional ease anywhere, including in the hips which you’d think would be big. I wouldn’t like it any tighter.

A positive fitting note for me – I have narrow shoulders (maybe a 14 in Big 4 patterns) and the shoulders in the Lark fit exactly right. So if you have broad shoulders or wide hips, double check those measurements. Also, the finished top is long – it reaches down my thighs, and I love that!

The sewing instructions were clear and helpful. I had not sewn a V-neck on a knit before, and by following the instructions the resulting neckline looks good, if I say so myself. Even the husband was impressed.

This was one of those projects where I used all my machines. I first basted the main seams on my regular machine (to allow for fitting), then finished on the serger. The neckline was sewn on my regular machine. I used the cover stitch for finishing the neckband, the sleeves, and the hem.

 

When using Art Gallery knits in the past I have had problems with narrow hems rolling to the front. So this time around I used deeper hems (1″ on sleeves, 1 1/4″ on hem) and I secured with my fav Heat & Bond stretch facing tape, then finished with a narrow cover stitch. The hems look substantial, and no rolling!

Summary

At the beginning of this post, I said I expect my dresser drawer would have less space – because I anticipate making a bunch of these. In spite of my obsession with sewing, I tend to live in hideous $6 Kohls tops on weekends, so a few Larks will help me to appear at least partially pulled together when I’m out on weekends. Plus there is the added bonus of having a reason to buy more fun Art Gallery prints.

I recommend this pattern even for beginners, especially if you like this shape.

(I made this garment as Top #2 for the Pattern Review Wardrobe Contest 2018. My wardrobe plan is for an upcoming holiday this Spring. There will be a flurry of blog posts as I rush to finish 6 garments by mid-March. That’s not status quo. Eventually I’ll have to clean the house and work in the garden!)