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Here's the next entry in our "My Favorite Liesl + Co. Pattern" series. We’re asking Liesl + Co. fans to share their thoughts on their go-to pattern, explaining what they love about it and showing off the multiple versions they’ve created. Today, we have Sarah from Fabric Tragic. Let’s hear her story.
[Image description: A photo of Sarah wearing one of her Bento Tees]
Hi everyone! I'm Sarah, and I document my sewing adventures on my blog, Fabric Tragic. By trade, I’m a veterinarian, and I live in Melbourne, Australia, with my husband and our cat. Sewing has been a part of my life for almost three decades—on-and-off, of course—but I’ve been fully committed to garment sewing for about four years now. Over time, with lots of practice, I've managed to sew most of my wardrobe myself, from workwear to casual outfits. While I adore fancy dresses, my everyday wardrobe consists mostly of simple, stylish pieces that can be easily mixed and matched. That’s why I gravitate towards patterns that are versatile, classic, and can be adapted in countless ways.
For me, the Liesl + Co. Bento Tee ranks among my top five patterns of all time! I’ve made it close to ten times now, and it hasn’t disappointed me once. I first tried it out last summer while working on filling gaps in my wardrobe—those pieces I'd made but hadn't quite figured out how to style. I was experimenting with a new aesthetic, searching for something that felt cropped yet still had some relaxed volume. The Bento Tee seemed perfect, especially since its little cuffs gave the short-sleeve version an elevated, polished look compared to a plain T-shirt.
[Image description: Sarah modeling her first Bento Tee]
Bento Tee #1 was made from a basic cotton-lycra fabric from my stash. I didn’t make any adjustments initially, and I was thrilled with how it turned out. I actually wanted to wear it to work that very day—I didn’t have time to hem it properly, so I used fabric glue instead. It held up well enough, though I later went back and stitched the hem properly. I’ve worn that tee a ton, but I soon realized I needed a forward shoulder adjustment (FSA). If you spend a lot of time typing or tend to slouch, you might find that tops ride up on your shoulders or feel tight around the neck. An FSA is a quick and easy fix that improves the comfort and fit of tops significantly. Trust me—it’s worth looking into!
[Image description: Close-up shot of the cuffs on one of Sarah’s Bento Tees]
My next Bento was crafted from a drapey viscose-lycra blend, and I played around with the length, creating a cropped version to pair with high-waisted skirts. The softer fabric gave the top a slightly different vibe, and I discovered that the cuffs needed a bit of help to stay folded up. In ready-to-wear versions, these kinds of cuffs are often tacked down with a few stitches here and there. I think adding a button at the top of the shoulder could look super cute too!
[Image description: Sarah wearing a cropped version of the Bento Tee]
By this point, I was completely hooked. I loved the fit, whether it was full-length or cropped, and the neckband always went in smoothly. So, naturally, I started experimenting. For those who follow my blog, you know I love tweaking patterns to suit my personal style. Version 3 involved a mash-up with a fitted knit dress pattern, using a stable ponte knit. This time, I omitted the arm bands and bound the sleeves instead. I also drafted a facing that I top-stitched down, rather than relying on the traditional neckband. (If you haven’t tried top-stitching a knit facing, I highly recommend it—it adds such a professional touch!) The mix worked well visually, but I ended up overfitting the dress slightly, making it a bit too warm for summer.
[Image description: Sarah wearing the mash-up version of the Bento Tee]
For Version 4, I used another cotton-lycra blend and decided to experiment with the cuffs. Curious about how the finished product would look if I removed half the width of the cuff fold line, I essentially created a cuff that didn’t need folding but retained its elegant shape. From memory, I cut about 4 cm off the center of the pattern piece. Here’s a comparison of the original and modified pieces—they attach the same way but remain unfolded.
[Image description: Side-by-side comparison of the original and modified cuffs]
I liked the result; it’s a great option to keep in mind for very drapey fabrics or when fabric quantity is limited.
[Image description: Sarah modeling another version of the Bento Tee]
I’ve got a few more versions in progress, including more tees and a cozy long-sleeve merino version I haven’t photographed yet but have already worn extensively this winter.
[Image description: Sarah wearing her latest Bento creation]
My most recent version, completed just this week, is a bit different. I’m currently 24 weeks pregnant and have been planning my post-baby, nursing-friendly wardrobe. Since I’m due at the start of Australian summer but have a tropical getaway planned in September, I decided to create a full-length, relaxed-fit Bento dress that would accommodate my growing bump while also being nursing-friendly in the future. Drawing inspiration from another sewing blogger, I hacked the sleeves to include a clever low-armhole design for easy side nursing access.
To maintain my pre-pregnancy upper body measurements, I added 5/8 inch in width from the waist down for bump room and extended the length to hit my knees. Then, I sliced the sleeve horizontally near its midpoint and added 15 cm to the front and back panels (along with 30 cm to the cuffs) to create a deep armhole. Of course, I paired it with a camisole or tank to ensure modesty. Due to the added weight and length of the cuffs, I secured them in four spots around the armhole, and they sit beautifully. I’m absolutely thrilled with how it turned out!
[Image description: Sarah posing in her nursing-friendly Bento dress]
There you have it—my collection of Bentos. It’s such a versatile pattern, and as you can see, it offers endless opportunities for styling variations. I haven’t even touched on the cute cross-body in-seam pocket variation yet! With a little creativity, sewing doesn’t have to be boring at all.
[Image description: Sarah smiling in front of her sewing machine]
Stay tuned for more sewing adventures!