Never in my life have I a) sewn with a downloaded pattern, or b) sewn with a free pattern. You get what you pay for, right? So free must not be very good. The Grainline Studio Hemlock Tee puts that myth to bed!
I don’t remember at all how I happened upon this site and this pattern. I do nose around Pinterest quite a bit, and I think I probably saw it there. You know how I love Eileen Fisher garments, and when I read “boxy tee” in descriptions of this pattern, I thought I might like to try it. I had recently stashed a bit of rayon/lycra stripe knit from MarcyTilton.com. Honestly, this is one of the cuddliest, softest, jammiest rayons I’ve ever touched. I want more-more-more!
As I was working on it and slipping it over my body in various unfinished states, I didn’t think I was going to like it. Ah, the waste of 1½ yards of fabric. 
But once I got the sleeves attached and the side seams sewn, I tried it on once more before quitting for the night. Love. And the next morning, after figuring out what I wanted to do with the neckband and finishing it, pure unadulterated garment love!!
Oh, and while you’re at it, how about those perfectly matched stripes?!
Here’s the story…
Pattern Description: Boxy t-shirt provided by Grainline Patterns in a free download. Print on your home printer, tape together, and trace on pattern paper.
Pattern Sizing: One size fits all. I typically wear 12-14, and it fit like it was made for me.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes.
Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions are designed for serger construction. I don’t have a serger, so I just used straight stitch, then the Honeycomb stitch (Bernina 1630) to finish the edges. (Okay, I have a serger, but haven’t learned how to use it in the 15 years I’ve owned it.)
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? LOVELOVELOVELOVELOVE. Three pattern pieces plus the neckband. I typically dislike dropped shoulders, but these are very flattering on me. Zipped together in an instant.
Fabric Used: Rayon/lycra über-soft stripe from MarcyTilton.com. So soft you’ll want to buy another length to make pajamas! For everyone you know!!
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I’m 5’8″ and overly endowed, so added 1″ to the length. Also, drawing on Marcy Tilton’s “Not Your Ordinary T-Shirt” article in a Threads Magazine from years ago, I cut 1″ bias strips of a lightweight woven fusible interfacing and applied them to the bottom edges (sleeves, hem). This made the folding and pressing easy and precise, and made the double-needle stitching flawless! Haven’t done this before, and will do it from now on for all soft knits.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes and Yes. Planning on getting a soft sweater knit (think Eileen Fisher merino sweaters) to make a top for a November trip to Germany and France.
Conclusion: Download this pattern and fall in love!
A couple more pictures to whet your appetite for this pattern:
This is the neckband, which I cut 3″ wide on the bias. with ⅜” seams, so the finished band was 1⅛” wide. Seamed, then seam allowance stitched with honeycomb stitch. Pressed toward garment and topstitched about ⅛” away from the seam.
The original picture from the designer shows the neckband cut horizontally (with the stripes). Her neckband is narrower than mine, and her application gives a nice little red stripe around the seam. Expert fabric alignment on her part!
One more look, with the sleeves shoved up. Worn with Marcy Tilton’s Vogue 8859 skinny pants and Naot Afrodita in Champagne Leather.
I don’t usually like boxy self-described garments but this has such a nice fit at your neckline and shoulders. And free to boot! bravo.
Thank you for your comment, Jane. Yesterday I got a piece of Nanette Lepore hot pink cotton sweater knit from Emma One Sock to make another top for my November trip. There are more of these in my future!