The Olivia Oversize Tee, by Maria Denmark, is a pattern that I’ve used a number of times.  I reach for it when I want an oversized tee that still feels a bit more ‘dressy’.

As designed, the neckline, sleeves and bottom hem are all finished with self fabric bands. I somehow managed to cut the sleeve bands too long, then too short, so ended up just turning a simple hem. The fabric is viscose/lycra from Tessuti, left over from the Aeolian tee I sewed for Clare.

The most important thing to remember when sewing this top is that you really need to stretch the neck band a lot at the bottom of that centre front curve, or it won’t sit flat. I usually sew one shoulder seam, mark points either side of the centre front where I know that the curve is more extreme, then sew on the band while stretching it more through that curve than elsewhere. It’s a practice thing.

Size wise, it’s a blend – all waist shaping has been removed. At the bottom hem it’s pretty much my hip measurement. I suspect that there are many more of these tees in my future.