Acute Tee Pi

Do you remember the Fried Pickle tees I made for my boys in a test last month? As soon as that test was over, the designer put out a tester call for this colour blocked tee.  I have developed a real love for colour blocking as it means you can easily use up scraps from other projects or use your gorgeous {but expensive} designer and custom printed fabrics sparingly so you can make more things from them!  It was my youngest cutie pie who got to try this one, and as you can see he thinks it's great!  Keep watching my blog for a 'matching but different' tee for my eldest!

Pattern Details

Designed by Pickle Toes Patterns, the crew neck Acute Tee Pi PDF pattern is for ages 2-16 (22-34" chests). Due to the high number of pattern pieces for the colour blocking effect there are 27 pages to print, trim and assemble making the 10-11 pattern pieces needed! There are also measurement charts provided for the neck band and optional sleeve and hem bands.  It is rated for confident beginners.

​An option for a much simpler colour blocking has also been included and it requires just 6 pattern pieces and printing 14 instead.  There is a choice between sleeveless, short sleeve, long sleeve or a flutter sleeve.

Pattern pieces can also be exchanged with another of the combinations for more ability to use up the scraps or panels you have.  I = B+C+D = F+G+H so instead of using any of those combinations, you could use one of the others!  

​Each size is printed on the pattern in a different colour and line style as well as the file having layers so you can turn off the sizes you don't want.  

Fabric requirements haven't been stated in the pattern as it is designed for scraps, with the biggest scrap for the biggest size needing to be just 18x19"  you can use any knitted fabric with 30%+ stretch for the body but the neckband needs to be rib or cotton spandex with a good recovery to keep its shape well over time. 

My Version

I made the size 2/3 for my youngest with the banded short sleeves and banded hem straight from the pattern with no modifications.  He chose a dinosaur cotton lycra and some plain blue cotton lycra fabric {surprise surprise!} and I added some green and orange interlock to match the other dinosaurs and give the right amount of colours to complete the blocking without any same colours touching! I will admit it took a while to assemble and cut the pattern pieces and then cut and stitch the fabric to create the front/back/sleeves but as soon as that was done it sewed up super quickly and the bands finished the hems nice and quickly too.  I would say it probably took around 4 hours start to finish for this, my first one. Now the pattern is printed, it will probably be 2 hours a go.

How does it fit?

I think the fit is just right, the shoulders sit where they should, the ease around his body is just right, the length of the sleeves and body is also perfect without any adjustment.  

Project Cost

Full price pattern - (£6.84) $9.95 - I recieved the pattern for free in return for testing.
Fabric scraps - £5 ($7.28) - estimate based on if I'd have used 1m of jersey knit instead of my free scraps
Notions/Thread - 50p ($0.73)

Total Cost - £12.34 ($17.96)

Estimated cost of making another, using new fabrics - £5 (£7.28) using scrap fabrics with new ribbing, £1! ($1.46!)

If you grab the pattern whilst it's on release sale it's just $7 ($4.81). Sale ends May 8th!

The Verdict!

Is it a success and will I be making it again? Yes and Yes!! This will for sure be one of my go to patterns for using up scraps, in fact I might start cutting my scraps into these pieces before filing them away so I'm ready to sew up as soon as I have a complete set! then I can get rid of the scraps from the scraps straight away rather than storing them! awesome! My eldest has requested a space themed one too so best I get hunting for suitable fabric for that!

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