The Panel Tee is a lovely simple shape made up of several panels. I originally thought how perfect the design would be for colour blocking, but it’s ALSO perfect for mixing your textures which, in the end, is how I decided to show it. (I should have perhaps chosen a different colour though. I didn’t realise how difficult it was to photograph white!)
White is a big colour for this summer – the high street is full of it. And there are LOADS of tonal texture and weave mixtures around at the moment. This simple vest from Karen Millen has silk side panels and I love this elegant nude one below with a transparent yoke.
The Panel Tee & Panel Dress come together as one pattern. Have a look at my post about the dress here or buy the pattern here.
My version is made of three different materials – the front panel is 100% cotton in a batik pattern, and I have combined it with silk side panels and lightweight gauzy cotton sleeves. It’s difficult to see here but the sleeves are transparent.
I found that if you make this top from 100% cotton it keeps quite a boxy shape OR you can go with a soft jersey or silky viscose and get a more slimline look.
Below is another version of the Panel Tee that I made recently with completely different fabrics. I’ve used a pretty patterned viscose for the front combined with a gorgeous denim chambray that has a lovely silky lustre to it. Using two different fabrics like this highlights the flattering curve of the centre panel and the hourglass shape it creates. Lets face it, anything that gives the illusion of a waist has got to be good hasn’t it!
If you like this pattern for the Panel Tee, have a look at some of my other patterns like the Gathered Panel Tee which is similar but with an asymmetric ruched detail at the front. And the Panel Dress which is really just a longer version of this top that works really well as a shift dress.
The Panel Tee is no longer available as a free PDF download – you can now buy it as a multisize paper or downloadable pattern. Sorry for any disappointment, but there are lots of other free patterns on the patterns tab so please have a browse.
HI.. LOVE THIS TEE.. DID DOWNLOAD THE PATTERN .. WHERE CAN I FIND THE SEWING INSTRUCTIONS?
Have you read the blog post that goes with it? It links you to the Panel Dress which is very similar (just longer). There is a step-by-step tutorial on the post that accompanies this pattern that will help with the Panel Tee.
Send me a picture when you’ve finished.
x
Where did you find the free download?
Sorry Kim but this pattern is no longer available as a free download. There are plenty of other free ones on the patterns page though.
Hi Laura.
Is it possible to buy this pattern. I am getting the 404 error message.
Thanking you
I found it from reading messages below. Thanks
“Sew” many possibilities with this pattern! Love it!
Do your patterns include seam allowances, and how much? For the fold lines, is the inside line to be placed on the fabric fold? Just found your site and want to start with the Panel Tee. Thank you.
Hi, no seam allowance on my patterns. They are all quite generously sized. And it is the outer line to go on the fold. Look forward to seeing the finished result. If you send in a pic I will feature it in the next newsletter – happy sewing
x
Thank you Laura. Will proceed on my first top today with some coordinating fabrics. Great way to use up remnants too!
Hi Laura, I love your patterns and bought fabric to make the panel tee. I printed the pattern off, and have been scratching my head as to how to put it together, when I realized I mustn’t have printed it out correctly. I’m in Canada, so also need it to be sized for letter paper. I see the panel dress is already formatted for that, so is the length the only difference?
Thanks, Sigrid
Hi Yes, sorry I have’t got round to doing them all yet. They are really similar just longer / shorter.
x
Hi again Laura,
I tried printing off the pattern for the panel dress on letterhead, and had the same problem as with the panel tee……none of the pieces have edges, or any instructions on how to piece them together. Any idea what I may be doing wrong?
Thanks, Sigrid
Hi Sigrid
There are no edges. There is an over view page at the beginning which shows you how the layout goes. From this you can see which piece joins where. Or if you are still struggling then you can look at the number printed very small in the corner of each sheet. You are looking at the numbers in brackets. Starting at the top left, the first number relates to horizontal and the second number related to vertical. So for example, (1,3) would be, from left to right, the first page across of the third row down. Or (5,7) would be the fifth pice across from the left on the 7th row down.They actually print out in order so once you know what you are doing it is quite quick. I think I will work on an explanation page for this as a few other people have struggled with it too. Can you let me know if this is clear .
Thanks
x
Hi, I see an overview page with the pieces already put together…..is that the one you mean? No edges on the pieces? Sorry for asking, but may I ask why not? Are we to cut the pieces across where the line ends? I’m also wondering why there are double lines in some places? Which is the cutting line? As with other downloadable patterns, I’ve found it really easy to put them together using a letter system with notches….A1 against A1 etc. Might that work for your patterns? Of all the patterns I’ve looked at online, yours are by far the most unique yet wearable, and I’m determined to figure out the panel tee!
Keep up the great designing, and thanks for getting back to me!
Sigrid
Thanks for the info Sigrid. I really need to address this if it is so unclear to you I think. I’m not at all sure what you mean either. These letter size (or A4 size) pieces of paper are to be stuck together to make one large sheet of paper, then you cut out each separate piece of the pattern along the solid black line.
Most home printers will not print right to the edge of the paper so when you are sticking the pages together you will need to overlap a little to make the black pattern lines touch each other. If you trim the paper (or just fold the edges under) to the edge of the printable area it will become clearer. The printable area is subtly marked on with a little T shape in each corner. I have worked in graphic design for many years and this kind of thing is so obvious to me that I forget it is not common knowledge – so sorry for assuming – I didn’t realise I was making it so difficult.
I am also going to send you a few pictures by email to make it clearer.
A double black line, as on a commercial pattern, indicates a fold. So your fabric needs to be folded in half so it is double thickness and the double line has to run along the folded side of the fabric. (Your cutting line is the outer line of the double.)
Hi again Laura! I think I got it! Printed it off in portrait setting at 90%….lines match up, and there are instructions! I’ll keep you posted!
Great -but it needs to be 100% to keep the size right.
Hello Laura,
Thank you for this adorable pattern. I would like to know if seam allowance (marging of sewing? Sorry for my english, I’m french 🙂 ) are included on the pattern.
Thank for your answer and congratulations for your creations!
Hi Andrea, There is no seam allowance on my patterns. Happy sewing!
I understand this pattern is no longer free. So can I pay someone for it?
Hi Janey – I have just emailed you some info. x
I love this top and dress – the pattern is just what I was looking for – is it for sale?
Hi Kate – it will be soon. I am just redrawing it for all sizes. It should be available in about a month.
Hi Kate, The Panel Dress & Panel Tee pattern is now available in a paper format. The link is here:
http://www.sewdifferent.co.uk/panel-dress-multisize-paper-pattern/
I love this pattern also, where will it be available? and What is the name of the pattern?
Thanks
Hi Pat, It should be available any day soon. I am just finalising the paper patterns this week.
Hi Pat, The Panel Dress & Panel Tee pattern is now available in a paper format. The link is here:
http://www.sewdifferent.co.uk/panel-dress-multisize-paper-pattern/
[…] pattern is available for free from one of my favorite sewing bloggers www.sewdifferent.co.uk. She is so interesting with her fabric and pattern choices, she also makes her own patterns – […]
Hi! Is it possible to get this nice pattern? I am always getting an error 404 ?!? Nice greetings from Germany 🙂 Tanja
Hi Tanja, This pattern was a free single size download for a while but I have now upgraded it to a multisize pattern that you can buy either on paper or as a download. The link is here: https://www.sewdifferent.co.uk/panel-dress-multisize-paper-pattern/