A long-sleeve raglan tee is a favorite wardrobe staple of mine that I've longed to make for the last several months. It took me so long to finally get around to making one for the simple fact that I tried to draft one up on my own and failed miserably. The first one I drafted was too straight-edged (literally, I just drew straight lines) and didn't fit right. The second was too curvy (draped on my dressform) and also didn't look right. All around too baggy or bulky in the wrong spots. So I went for a pattern instead. Shoulda done that from the get-go. WAAAY easier in this case.

I used a rayon/polyester blend double knit for this top. I fell in love with the print a week ago. It reminds me of something art-deco/the matrix (minus that hideous computer green), but I wasn't totally sold on the texture. I tend to steer clear of polyester because I'm so particular about texture. Thankfully, a cycle in the washer and dryer softened it up to perfection.

The Hey June Lane Raglan pattern* I used recommended I sew up an XS based on my waist measurements (although I wonder if those were meant to be bust measurements?). Since the double knit didn't offer a 50% stretch like the pattern recommended, I sized up. I almost wish I would have sized up to the medium for a hoodie-like fit (a little closer to what I had envisioned), but the tighter fit is still very comfortable, and lends itself towards a more polished look.

The fabric pattern is pretty busy – borderline overwhelming – breaking up the print with jersey knit piping around sleeve lines solved the issue.

I winged it with the pouch, and if I were to do it all over again, I'd shorten the top trapezoidal part of the pouch by about an inch and a half.

The pocket does add a little extra weight to my middle section; but I'm so over the moon how this top fits, I couldn't care less. I'm sure if I zipped up the sides tighter it would reduce that visual weight. Or I could simply add a structured jacket overtop, no extra sewing required!

It's been so cold around here, I'm not ready to part with my winter wardrobe just yet. I have plans to make even more early spring transitional pieces in the near future. It's all about comfort, medium/lightweight fabrics, but long sleeves and hemlines to cover the skin from chilly breezes.

I finished the top just in time to throw it on and pick up the kids from school (Felix is loving his preschool, btw!). I felt comfortable, warm and put-together. All three major wins in my book. I will definitely make more of these in the near future.

Outfit details:

• glasses: coastal.com
• earrings: c/o Pamela Susan
• necklace: handmade by my dad
• bracelet: THP
• purse: Basik 855, c/o UmbaBox
• raglan: handmade by me
• denim: Forever 21
• booties: Seychelles

A few simlar raglans, in case you don't want to make your own.

*Pattern courtesy of Hey June. Just a little shout out about her patterns: they're awesome, well drafted, well written and 25% of all patterns sold goes to Christian Care Foundation, an organization that provides care for special needs children in Thailand. This hits close to home since Felix is now technically "special needs". We've been so blessed to have such great resources at our fingertips to help felix and our family grow together. I think it's pretty awesome that there's an organization out there providing supplemental help out there to families that may not have access to the same care that we do.