Like many others, when I first came across McCalls 6164 all lI could see was that eighties leg-of-mutton style sleeve.  Then I noticed view A, which was just like loads of t-shirts I’d seen around recently.  So I made it.

I did make a few alterations. I’ve chubbed up a bit recently due to overconsumption of chocolate and other tasty treats, so I straightened out the curved waistline considerably. I also took about an inch out of the pattern length above the waist.  I made size medium, which I think fits quite well over the bustline and shoulders without clinging too much to my midsection. I altered the sleeves according to Belinda’s instructions, but still added the sleeve band around the bottom, and finished the neckline with a band rather than turning and topstitching.

The lovely striped cotton/lycra was bought at Darn Cheap Fabrics. This is a terrific t-shirt to wear. At first I wondered if the style was a little young for me (after all, I was in high school and uni during the eighties when puffy sleeves were de rigeur) but hey, it’s currently fashionable and I’m not completely ancient yet!  The fancy sleeves and scooped neckline balance out and distract a little from the tummy and waist.  I plan on giving view B a go at some stage and who knows, maybe I’ll even go completely wild and move on to view F (but I don’t think I can do views C or D, unless it’s in pink watermark taffeta – oh wait, that was my year 11 formal dress …. I digress). There are plenty of reviews of this pattern over here.