Boxy T-shirt Sewing Pattern 'Lisa'

I know it's just a t-shirt but wearing one I made myself feels different. I chose the fabric, I cut the pieces, I sewed every seam, and now it's something I wear every week. There's a quiet satisfaction in that which doesn't fade.

My first go at the neckband had a small wobble where I joined the ends. I unpicked and recut the neckband slightly longer, then stretched it more evenly as I sewed. The second attempt was smooth. This step just needs a bit of focus.

RTW t-shirts are never quite right for me — always too long, too narrow at the shoulder, or weirdly shaped at the hem. The Lisa fits exactly right in every dimension because I made it to my measurements. I've stopped buying t-shirts from shops.

My first Lisa neckband was a little wavy. By my third it was flat and even. The instructions explain the technique correctly — it just takes a couple of attempts to build the muscle memory. Now I do it confidently every time.

Lisa is my most-made pattern by a significant margin. I've made at least eight versions at this point. Each one takes under two hours and I've tried every fabric from cotton jersey to rib knit to French terry. The pattern handles them all.