I think you know I had to do something super cheesy for Valentine’s day – it’s kind of a given in blog land right? Introducing, A Briar Valentine T-shirt!
But I feel like this is a bit toned down – like I will be wearing this for the rest of the year too :) I like that the grey and black are a bit more subtle, they’re not yelling “oh hey!!! HEY! look at my Valentines themed outfit! I’m the personification of a Hallmark card!!”
This is a completely blatant knock off of a Romwe shirt (no longer available) I saw James wear absolutely ages ago. But thankfully, as Pinterest seems to work, it popped up on my feed one day and I suddenly realised how easy it would be to recreate with the Briar pattern – hurrah!! It’s not exactly the same, but come on, I reckon that’s about as close as we’re going to get right?! I’m pretty darn thrilled with it.
Though the one thing I’m not pleased about is the fact that I was so set on creating the same top that I made long sleeves. It’s summer. In Australia. Pushing those sleeves up to the 3/4 mark did nothing to alleviate the heat people! Stupid Meg. But it’s okay, winter will come and it will be awesome with this top.
So who wants to make one!?
Yes, I know you do. Let’s do it!
This is super easy! I actually overcomplicated it, so I’ll mention easier options along the way :)
Step One
What I did: Hem the top first. I know we never do this first, but since we’ll be adding an applique we won’t be able to hem later
Easier option: Don’t hem it, leave that baby raw.
Step Two
What I did: Fold a sheet of paper in half, and place the folded edge of the Briar front piece along it. Trace the pattern out and cut (make sure you leave some paper at the hemline for the bottom of the heart). Draw the heart as you’d like it to appear. I took so, way too long on this. WAY too long. Once you’re happy, cut the heart out. Don’t throw away your full briar front with the cutout, we’ll use it later. Now you’ve got your pattern :)
Easier option: Draw a big heart. cut out.
Step Three
What I did: Cut out 2 pieces of jersey, and 1 piece of interfacing or steam a seam out of your heart pattern. Place the interfacing (or steam a seam) in between the two layers of fabric and then sew all the way around the edge using either a serger/overlocker or zig-zag stitch. This is to make that heart keep its shape nicely.
Easier option: Cut the heart out of felt, it’s sturdy and doesn’t fray.
Step Four
What I did: Use your original template as the guide for placing your heart on the shirt. Basically, lay your template on top of the front panel, and place the heart you made in the cut out. Pin in place and sew all the way around the edge to secure.
Easier option: Pin the heart to the centre of the top, and sew around the edge.
Step Five
Finish the rest of the top as per normal. Wear with a smile on Valentine’s day!
LOOKING FOR MORE BRIAR POSTS?
- How to sew the curved patch pocket
- How to sew the square patch pocket
- How to sew a neckline band
- How to sew a neckline binding (the Megan Nielsen way)
- How to sew a neckline binding (the traditional/standard way)
- The easiest knit neckline around
- Inserting the sleeves & sewing up the side seams
- Hemming
- Variation: How to draft elbow length sleeves
- Variation: A Valentine Briar sweater
- Variation: Centre front seam
- Variation: Side pocket Briar (by MadMim)
- Variation: the easy way to go sleeveless
- Variation: leather elbow patches + FREE pattern piece
- Variation: the dress (my favourite!)
- Variation: leather shoulder patches
Don’t forget to tag your creations with #MNbriar and @megannielsenpatterns when sharing on social media, and check out what everyone else is up to!
Don’t have the pattern yet?
