Muse of the Morning Girl's Tee Reviewed

When I started blogging I really thought I'd be on my own island in the vast sea of the internet, sending out messages in a bottle hoping someone, anyone would read them. I still get a thrill just seeing that people are reading (and following!). But when I'm contacted to participate in a blog hop or review a pattern, I'm downright flattered. That's not to say I'm easy, I still choose reviews and group activities carefully and thoughtfully. When I was asked to review a pattern from Muse of the Morning, I admit I wasn't familiar with Chrissy's patterns. So I went and had a look. I immediately saw a great opportunity to mix a utilitarian gray knit with feminine shoulders on the Practically Perfect Girl's Tee Shirt. When something like that pops into my head so quickly and easily, I go with it. I love it when it comes out even better than I first saw in my mind's eye.





Sewing and reviewing The Practically Perfect Girl's Tee Shirt by Muse of the Morning | The Inspired Wren
Squinty face, but great view of the clothes. 


Let me stop here and inform you that I was given a free copy of this pattern for review, but anything I say here is my own opinion, of course. 

My favorite patterns are those that can be a great canvas for play. And this is one of those patterns. For this review I sewed it following the original pattern and instructions. All I added was the button appliqué on the front. I love that this tee comes with four sleeve options: cap, gathered short, Henley, and basic long. We're* not into overt-girly around here, but that doesn't mean I don't love feminine details like a cap or a gather.

Sewing and reviewing The Practically Perfect Girl's Tee Shirt by Muse of the Morning | The Inspired Wren
A simple line of buttons and a few stitches make a quiet appliqué breaking the solid gray.

*And I really do mean "we." If The Peanut was drawn to princess clothes and sparkles and jewels and all things pink I wouldn't dissuade her. I'd even embrace sewing the ruffle (begrudgingly). As it is she's more of a dinosaur- and blue-loving Fireman Butterfly Fairy kind of dress-up gal. So gray gathered shoulders without too much poof seem to fit her perfectly. 

Sewing and reviewing The Practically Perfect Girl's Tee Shirt by Muse of the Morning | The Inspired Wren
"BUGS! Look, Mom, there are bugs on the wall!"

And the Practically Perfect Girl's Tee Shirt is a good fit overall. (Fancy, nice segue there, no?) The neckline gives plenty room over her head and still lays nicely as she wears the shirt. I like the length, too. I sewed a Size 5 and I really appreciate that it doesn't look big on her now and yet it also seemingly has room to grow. This is a great basic to have and I'm glad I chose this pattern to add to my collection. [Aside: Chrissy gave me my choice of patterns from her shop and I almost went with one of the softies, they are too cute! I love the Pant-A-LoOoOns Soft Toy and The Peanut has a fascination with gnomes at the moment and would probably choose My Friendly Garden Gnome if asked.]

Sewing and reviewing The Practically Perfect Girl's Tee Shirt by Muse of the Morning | The Inspired Wren
Obligatory chocolate payment to model? Almond Hershey Kiss.

I paired the finished tee with another favorite pattern of mine, the Go To Leggings (no affiliate, just love). The sporty skirt over shorts make a good summertime pairing for the gray tee. 

Sewing and reviewing The Practically Perfect Girl's Tee Shirt by Muse of the Morning | The Inspired Wren
Did I mention the bugs on the wall? I got a lot of pics of her back for this one.

Sewing and reviewing The Practically Perfect Girl's Tee Shirt by Muse of the Morning | The Inspired Wren
Be careful with your models, if you give them chocolate they may start climbing the walls ...and then they show off the side of the skirt where the stripes don't quite line-up instead of the side where they do.

There is currently a great giveaway open on Chrissy's blog so be sure to enter! Also, use the coupon BLOGTOUR30 to get 30% off of all patterns at Muse of the Morning's shop through May 17.

Want to see more? Check out these other fabulous blogs.

Muse of the Morning Pattern Tour! May 1 - 15, 2014


Pattern

Tee: Practically Perfect Girl's Tee Shirt from Muse of the Morning, size 5T with gathered sleeve option
Skirt + Shorts: Go To Leggings by Andrea Pannel, size 5 shorts with optional shirt

Fabric

Tee: Upcycled Men's Size XXL tee from Wal-Mart plus striped interlock from my stash (originally purchased at Joann's Fabric over two years ago)
Skirt + Shorts: Striped interlock and gray ribbed knit from my stash (originally purchased at Joann's Fabric over two years ago) 

Love

...that this tee has four sleeve options and is a solid wardrobe staple. The pattern directions are clear and the fit is great.

Note

Stripes aren't the best on a curved hem like this skirt. Luckily, The Peanut never stays still long enough for anyone but me to inspect the imperfect way the stripes cut off at the hem.

Sewing and reviewing The Practically Perfect Girl's Tee Shirt by Muse of the Morning | The Inspired Wren
...and then she was done. Pulled my phone out of the bag and sat down to update her Facebook status* (I presume).

*No, of course not. She was checking the time. We were headed into a library program and she was very excited to get there. So we got there ten minutes early.


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You should really see all that goes into each project!
From my model preferring to wear washi tape on her belly button instead of the clothes I've sewn for her, to the ingenious way that I’ve re-purposed my favorite sewing tool, a chopstick, into a spool pin for double needle sewing on my machine. Daily updates on Instagram (and Flickr) of works-in-progress will give you that behind the scenes view you’re looking for, and sneak peeks of First Tuesday Tutorials, too.
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