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Jul 23, 2010
Peter's (near) perfect summer shirt!
Thanks for dropping by, Jude. We'll call you.
So remember how I kvetched on Wednesday about style versus comfort on these balmy summer days? And remember that I showed you this fabric I bought -- sort of a lawn-weight, eggshell white, loose cotton weave?
Well, using a favorite vintage men's shirt pattern of mine, Butterick 4712 (the same one I used for the orange flowered shirt in my blog header)...
...I made this:
It's a banded-collar shirt (my first), loose and airy; dressier than a caftan top with it's long cuffed sleeves and sleeve plackets, but more casual than a regular dress shirt with its side vents, lack of collar, and semi-transparent fabric. Now if only I could master Jude's suit....
I think it's the perfect combination of style and comfort, modesty and elegance!
It even gives those pajama pants a little more class. I'm now nearly ready to visit all you sub-tropical dwellers and thanks again for the invite(s)!
I'm very happy with the way this turned out, though now, somewhat predictably, Michael wants one too so it's back to the sweat shop for me.
Today is a special day for another reason: it's our six month anniversary. No, not mine and Michael's -- mine and yours. Do you believe it? Half a year and we haven't once argued. Thanks again for spending your time with me, Michael, and the dogs. It gives us hope to know that in some parts of the world one still needs Ugg boots not to freeze to death.
Somehow the week has flown by in a blur of cotton stripes and white gauze. Never ceases to amaze me. I'm in laundry mode here. You?
Have a great day everybody!
Most excellent shirt! I love it with the pants. If I lived in a sub-tropical clim -- wait I do live in TN! Anyway you look great. Thanks to you for 6 mos of fun, entertaining, and some times thought provoking reading. Long may you reign!
ReplyDeleteLooks awesome! (And I like what you did with the collar!) Told you comfort and style could co-exist :D.
ReplyDeleteI wish the summers here were less terrible... it's a rare day when we get above 80F. I really need at least a few weeks of solid baking to brace myself for the Canadian winter. You're welcome to come visit us, too, although the spare room mostly holds all my fabric in random piles... it's in the basement where it's nice and cool, though.
Lovely shirt Peter. You have given it a very professional finish - I can't get over your detail - just perfect.
ReplyDeleteThose sleeve plackets seem long...are they?
Congratulations to all of us on our anniversary! I wonder what will happen in the next 6 months now that the honeymoon stage is over...
P.S.) What was the reference book you used for sewing men’s shirts? I think you mentioned it once before?
Love your work!
Cherri in Aus
Love your shirt. It looks great on you!
ReplyDeleteLovely shirt - I feel cooler already. And a chic combination with pajama pants - what a fashion-forward thinker you are :)
ReplyDeleteThere is NOTHING (and I do mean nothing)like a good white shirt. You can wear that shirt everywhere, with anything and look fabu.
ReplyDeleteSpectacular! You need a tropical cocktail to complete the outfit ; )
ReplyDeleteCute, cute, cute. I really like it, but I just love the pattern photo with the blue and red stripes, but I'm bias about stripes.
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary though.
Love the shirt.
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary!
How about we go buy each other his 'n hers vintage sewing machines and then have lunch.
Great shirt! Wonderful cas-elegance! What's that shirt on the stand in the background of the last photo?
ReplyDeleteFinally, here's to another 6 months, and another, and another ...
Love your shirt, it looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary! You're darling, as always.
ReplyDeleteI'm sewing on my 15-91 today in honor of you.
Thanks, All. Debbie, that's my cabana set top. Kate, it's a date!
ReplyDeleteCherri, the sleeve plackets are a little foreshortened in the photo: in reality they only go up to my ears.
FABULOUS! Of course I'm referring to not only the shirt, but your anniversary as well. Thank you for being so prolific with writing and sewing and so darn entertaining as well. As a newer reader, I know you make my days brighter.
ReplyDeletePeter, you are amazing! Great shirt!
ReplyDeleteYou did an awesome job on the shirt, sleeve plackets and all. The shirt itself looks very good on you, and I understand why Michael wants one too.
ReplyDeleteStay cool. (Heat index in my neck of the woods will be 111 deg. today!)
Really cool! Works perfectly with the pajamas :-), and nobody would be embarrassed at being caught wearing that to a party either.
ReplyDeleteLoose but covering are the traditional garments of choice for hot dry heat (think Bedouins). It's hot and humid climates that require as little skin coverage as possible. Of course I got my first sleeveless items when I arrived on the East Coast from California, but all that is relative, NY seems dry to people from Florida..
Thanks Peter. I knew it looked familiar. Those darn 40+ memory lapse moments are hell. ;-)
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary! It's been a wonderful 6 months. :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shirt too! And I love the pajama pants/dress shirt combo.
Great looking shirt! The details are so crisp.
ReplyDeleteHappy Monthaversary! I'm so glad to have you in my (blog) life!
ReplyDeleteAnd you look dashing in your new shirt and pants. Jude…pshaw! He ain't got NOTHIN' on you.
Lovely job with the shirt and Happy Anniversary!
ReplyDeleteRose in SV
Lovely Shirt, Peter!
ReplyDeleteI like the shirt- perfect touch of refinement and elegance in this heat wave. Ties in nicely with the modesty post of yesterday.
ReplyDeleteAnd this BLOG! It's a breath of fresh air with the sewing blogs I read... It's always good to find someone else who doesn't fit the mold of the traditional sewist!
I'm excited for you and your six-month anniversary... it makes my heart happy. Here's to many more!
OH I really love it Peter! It's got that comfort with a touch of class look. So swanky! Length looks fabulous too, to keep in or out of bottoms. Lovely idea and perfect for those hot sweltering days.
ReplyDeleteGreat shirt, it has a very rich Riviera-yacht vibe. You can't have too many white shirts!
ReplyDeleteFirst, it not fair to give no warning when Jude is coming by. I would have picked a totally different outfit!!!!
ReplyDeleteYour shirt is beautiful and timeless. Awesome sleeves!
HLT, if there's anyone who always looks perfect for Jude Law to stop by, it's you! LOL
ReplyDeleteHow do you do it? How do you make shirtmaking look so effortless!?!?! This shirt is glorious. I'm really going to have to have a go as soon as the wedding dress is done. Mr S deserves a little of this elegance.
ReplyDeleteKeep cool...just be glad it's not raining and flooding!
I have been enjoying your blog for some time now, and that shirt dragged me out of my lurkdom. It is fantastic. Well done!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful job on the shirt and the blog, Peter. Thank you for the inspiration and entertainment.
ReplyDeletePeter, you are utterly fabulous!
ReplyDeletePeter,
ReplyDeleteYou in your white shirt, absolutely stunning.
Your blog is a joy, can't wait to read it every day. Thank you.
By the way, men in sarongs, yes, think David Beckham.
Big hugs from Alicante, Spain
Gaviota
I love this shirt! It looks perfect!
ReplyDeleteThanks again, guys.
ReplyDeleteGaviota, I have actually been to Alicante (about 25 years ago) -- fíjate!
Peter - that's a great shirt!
ReplyDeleteVery nice relaxed looking shirt! Everybody needs one of these!
ReplyDeleteWow, 6 months ... itt's been a total pleasure. PS Great shirt.
ReplyDeleteIt IS a perfect summer shirt! Loose and breezy and that effortless-style look.
ReplyDeleteHappy six-month blogoversary, you've been a pleasure to read :)
Peter you look smashing as always.. Happy Aniversary.. You are a joy to read every day!
ReplyDeletek
WOW! Peter, this shirt is amazing. You make it all seem so easy. If you can make this shirt you can certainly make all of Jude's suit. Hell, you probably even know how to repair his sports car in the background.
ReplyDeleteLet's not talk about ugg boots on the same page as this lovely, elegant - summery! - shirt. :0)
ReplyDeleteHappy anniversary!
Elegant and beautifully executed shirt! Call me crazy, but I'm happy to see something done in "non-sheet" ;-) You have mad skilz!
ReplyDeleteI don't blame Michael for wanting one.
And here's to the future!
I have major, major placket envy. My first attempt looked nothing like that. Bee-yootiful. Jude? He's such a slut, he's lost almost all of his appeal. Almost.
ReplyDeleteCan I just say that I think this shirt is the perfect "guy shirt"?! (And not just because there is a picture of Jude Law at the top. *ahem*) I really love the style of men's shirts, especially in really crisp, classic fabrics like this. I used to buy a ton of men's dress shirts at the thrift stores and wear them my first year at college (it became my "signature" look those first semesters! ;). Yours looks fantastic!!!
ReplyDelete♥ Casey
blog | elegantmusings.com
Absolutely gorgeous! Looks better than any quality top-notch shirt I've ever seen. Really crisp and clean - a winner!
ReplyDeletePaula
http://www.learnhowtosewnow.com