When it comes to choosing fabric (or a shirt at a shop) I usually look for plain fabrics. My beloved colors are grey, grey and grey… ok, I am also based on navy and white and (like my good old „friend“ Karl once said:) „…but there is a certain kind of pink, of dusty pink I like“.
But (there always is a but) striped shirts/fabrics are my big love, my passion and either way kind of my nemesis – or maybe only for my bankaccount…
I am definitely #teamstripes but I am very classy when it comes to colors. I am team navy/white, blue/white, black/white and maybe something with grey… (did I mention I love grey…?)
But what is all the fuss about stripes…
When a friend of mine asked me last autumn to design a pattern, that was inspired by the good old Marinière, we had a sharp look at the fashion history:
The first iteration of Breton („from Brittany“) sweaters were designed with tightly knit local wool to protect fishermen from biting winds and water. This “second skin” eventually evolved into a striped shirt, with sailors sporting the look since the start of the 19th century. (qouted from here)
It wasn’t until 1913 when Coco Chanel herself ushered the striped marinière („sailor“) top into popular fashion, making it a stylish investment piece for seaside holidays. (quoted from here)
So the Timpe Tee was designed as a striped shirt or rather a pattern for striped fabric.
Striped shirts are a mystery. Many women own not just one, but a dozen.
Originally fishermen wore Breton stripes, so a lot of history resonates, it is an iconic look – which feels for us to be self-evident.
Stripes have not yet hit a sequin, no camouflage pattern, no print they do not like. They go well with everything, doesn’t that make „the stripe“ a wonderful partner? (qouted from here)
There are only a few pieces in every woman’s wardrobe, which you can wear every day and on every occasion. You have a bad day? Wear a striped top – everything’s going to be fine!
You already have half a dozen of white/navy striped /fabrics in your stash?
Oh no – this one is totally different from all the others… Really! 😉
And is it really possible that there are women out there, who do not like stripes?
Maybe it is the idea of being as fresh and free as a Breton fisherman, to become one with wind and waves, seasoned with a pinch of French Chic?
So! Sew your own! (even in unstriped fabrics…)
You can buy the PDF pattern for the Timpe Tee – now translated in english through Makerist with a big discount!
Only 2 Euro per pattern from today until Monday, March 27th
Alongside with more stripey opportunities:
meet the Elsedress:
…or Elseshirt:
our friend Karl:
…or maybe „justanothertee„:
And if you are wondering what the name „Timpe Tee“ is about, please remember that beautiful fairytale „The Fisherman and his wife“ by the Grimm Brothers.
„Flounder, flounder in the sea,
Come, I pray thee, here to me.
For my wife, good ilsabil,
Wills not as I’d have her will.“
in german he will call:
„MANNTJE MANNTJE, TIMPE TE(E)…“