Here's the next chapter in the "My Favorite Liesl + Co. Pattern" series, where we hear from Liesl + Co. fans about their go-to patterns. Today, we're featuring Sarah from Fabric Tragic. Take it away, Sarah! --- Hello! I’m Sarah, and you can find my sewing adventures over at Fabric Tragic. By trade, I’m a veterinarian and live in Melbourne, Australia, with my husband and our cat. Sewing has been a part of my life for nearly 30 years—on-and-off—but I’ve been seriously into garment sewing for about four years now. Through practice, I’ve managed to make most of my wardrobe myself, from casual wear to professional attire. While I adore fancy dresses as much as anyone, my everyday wardrobe leans heavily on simple, stylish pieces that can be easily mixed and matched. One of my absolute favorite patterns is the Liesl + Co. Bento Tee. It’s easily in my top five patterns of all time! I’ve made it close to ten times now, and it never disappoints. Last summer, I was trying to fill gaps in my wardrobe with pieces I already had but hadn’t styled well. I was looking for something a bit cropped but with some boxy volume, and the Bento Tee seemed perfect. The cuffs on the short-sleeve version also caught my eye—they gave it that extra touch of polish compared to a plain tee. For my first version, I used a basic cotton lycra from my stash to test the fit. No alterations were necessary, and I loved it so much that I wore it to work the same day—hemming tape held it together temporarily until I could sew it properly later. That tee got a ton of wear, but I realized I’d eventually need to make a forward shoulder adjustment (FSA) since I spend a lot of time working at a desk. An FSA improves the fit and comfort of tops, especially for people who tend to slump or whose tops often slip off their shoulders. Trust me, it’s worth learning how to do! Next up, I experimented with a more drapey fabric—a viscose-lycra blend—and shortened the length to create a cropped style. This fabric changed the vibe of the shirt slightly, so I played around with keeping the cuffs folded up by adding a few stitches here and there. I also thought about adding a button at the top of the shoulder—it could add a cute detail! By this point, I was hooked. The fit was spot-on, whether I chose full-length or cropped, and the neckband always went in smoothly. I started tweaking the design to suit my personal style. For example, version three combined the Bento Tee with a fitted knit dress pattern using a stable ponte fabric. Instead of armbands, I bound the sleeves and drafted a facing that I topstitched down instead of using a neckband. Topstitching facings in knits? Love it! This version turned out great, but I ended up overfitting the dress slightly, making it less ideal for summer. Version four was made from another cotton-lycra blend, and I decided to experiment with the cuffs. Curious about the effect, I removed half the width of the cuff at the fold line, creating a cuff that stayed in place without needing to be folded. It kept the shape I liked while being simpler to execute. Fast-forward to today, and I’ve made a few more versions, including a long-sleeved merino version that’s become a winter staple. Most recently, I made a version tailored for maternity wear. At 24 weeks pregnant, I’m planning my post-baby wardrobe, including nursing-friendly options. I decided on a full-length, relaxed-fit Bento dress, extending the length to hit my knees and adding extra room in the waist for my growing bump. Inspired by another sewing blogger, I added a clever sleeve hack for easy side nursing access. The cuffs, which were a bit floppy due to the extra length, were tacked down at four points around the armscye, and they sit perfectly now. All in all, the Liesl + Co. Bento Tee is an incredible pattern with endless possibilities. Whether you’re looking for a quick, easy project or want to get creative with modifications, it’s a fantastic base pattern. Even without diving into variations like the cross-body in-seam pocket, sewing basics don’t have to feel boring. With a bit of imagination, the options are limitless! --- There you have it—my collection of Bentos. Each one is unique, and I’m sure I’ll continue to tweak and play with this pattern for years to come. It’s truly a versatile and reliable choice for any sewist!

Thread

Thread,Natural Cotton Thread,Textured Polyester Thread,Grs Thread Polyester Yarn

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