The Excel Tee Pattern

The Excel tee pattern is a new release from Greenstyle. It is a raglan top designed for a masculine frame. The pattern features a side gusset that goes from the sleeve hem to the shirt hem. This means there is not a seam in the underarm.

Why are gussets so great? They give more range of motion in an area as well as taking the pressure off a place where multiple seams otherwise would join. 

The neckline of the top is a crew neck with the option for short or long sleeves. The long sleeves has an optional thumbhole or watch opening.

This pattern is drafted for 5’10”. Since my husband is 5’11” with a long torso, I added one inch to the body. He is so happy to have a top that is long enough that he can raise his arms without showing off his stomach. He struggles with shirts being too short if he gets the size that matches his chest, or if he gets a shirt that is long enough, it is usually way too wide.

Shirt Fabric

This pattern is drafted for knit fabric with 50% horizontal stretch and at least 25% vertical stretch. I used an athletic brushed polyester that is 190 gsm for his main grey fabric. This one has been in my stash for some time. I believe I purchased it from Zenith and Quasar.

The black fabric I used for his gusset and sleeves is a brushed nylon, also from Zenith and Quasar.

Both fabrics are so incredibly soft and perfect for an athletic tee.

I also made him a trial version in a cotton spandex knit. That fabric works great for a non-athletic tee. Cotton will absorb moisture instead of wick so this one he wears around the house.

I love that you can use some scraps and try different color combinations on this top. I have tried two different fabrics and on this one two. I think using one fabric and topstitching all the seams would look great as well!

Who’s hungry for breakfast? The sexiest thing you can do in your Excel tee is cooking and cleaning up the kitchen afterwards! 

The Motion Shorts Pattern

The Motion Shorts pattern is another masculine fit pattern that has nice big pockets.

It has a gusset that goes from knee to knee, a back yolk, an optional zippered back pocket, and an optional lining.

The pattern includes 7, 9, and 11 inch inseams, and I made the 11 inch inseam for this pair.

The front waistband has elastic enclosed with a drawstring. I did buttonholes and stitched a casing for it onto the waistband.

Shorts Fabric

I used a stretch boardshort from The Fabric Fairy. He says these shorts will be perfect for vacation because he can wear them all day long and jump in the pool/ocean as he can without bringing a change of clothes. They will dry quick too.

I really like this fabric and the weight is perfect. It is not too light that it is see through and is not so thick that it is hot.

Sewing Notes

This outfit took me about 3 or 4 days on and off to finish. Neither project was complicated in itself. I took the time to finish and topstitch each seam on the shorts, and this made them take longer, but it also means they look very professional.

The top was much quicker since I did not topstitch any seams and only used my serger. I did have to change coverstitch thread to hem, but the top was a nice quick project to take on after finishing the shorts.

I also graded the top of the shorts up for the waistband, and I am glad I took the time to grade these top pieces. I can see the fit came out perfect on this pair. I chose his size for the main shorts based on his hip measurement and the size of the waistband based on his low waist measurement (where the waistband sits). 

He wants at least a few more pairs of these shorts for summer as well as a handful of these tees!

Resources

• Excel Tee pattern
• Motion Shorts pattern
• Athletic Brushed Poly 190. They are out of stock at Zenith and Quasar. Sometimes Greenstyle and Bow Button Fabrics has some. 
• Stretch Boardshort Fabric
• Drawstring

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Disclosures

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small compensation when you purchase via my link. This does not cost you anything, and I genuinely appreciate your support. Any and all opinions expressed are still my own.