I've been sewing a lot for the past few days and I'm happy to say I am 95% finished with Ed's second shirt (above).
He returns tomorrow to California but I did get a chance to photograph him in it this afternoon. All it lacks is buttonholes and buttons. I made the same alterations that I made to his linen shirt, lowering the neckline a bit and increasing the circumference of the neck. This was a much easier fabric to cut and to sew with since it didn't shift.
Here's the shirt on Ed. I'm very happy with the way it looks on him (just pinned closed of course).
One alteration I made to the pattern (for both shirts) was to gather the sleeve at the cuff rather than to pleat it. I think a gathered cuff is more attractive. The pink and blue gingham shirt has traditional sleeve plackets; the linen shirt has continuous lap plackets (which the original pattern calls for and is rather unusual).
Rather than use cotton batiste, I interfaced front button placket, collar, collar stand, and cuffs with a very lightweight woven fusible, from Mood, I think. I tested it out first on a fabric swatch (below).
The back yoke and cuffs are cut on the crossgrain.
I'll put the finishing touches on the shirt in the next few days and will be sending the shirts out to Ed this coming week. It's been really fun making two shirts back-to-back with such different fabrics, each of which has its own unique character and feel.
Next up, some women's separates.
Have a great day, everybody!
As much as I like Ed's first shirt, these colors are a lot more flattering, imho; they bring out the color in his skin and draw attention to his smile and eyes. Excellent!
ReplyDeleteImmaculate as ever- and tell Ed he has beautiful eyes!
ReplyDeleteConcurring, and adding, "The shirts are Ed-tastic!!".
DeleteHis shirt is looking great!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful shirt.
ReplyDeleteIs there a general rule for spacing buttonholes from the placket edge?
ReplyDeleteThey seem a bit far over and I wonder if that means the buttons are close to the edge on the opposite side.
Does it have to do with these being more causal shirts so they are not topstitched in the same manner as "work" shirts?
Generally they're 3/4" from the edge (which would be dead center on a 1-1/2" wide front placket if there is one).
DeleteAnother great shirt for Ed. The colors look good on his skin. Those peachy walls help too. I do like the gathered cuff. He might need a short sleeved version for this hot weather in Calif. So you sew buttons by hand or machine?
ReplyDeleteI will often use a combination method -- I'll zigzag the button on by machine, leave all the threads long when I cut them, then with one of those self-threading Japanese needles I'll pull the threads to the back and knot them (or make a small thread shank first, depending on the garment).
DeleteBTW, Michael, the self-threading needles are Clover brand.
Deletewhat a gorgeous shirt. i am with @DementedFairy -- it goes with his skin color very well, and he does have amazing eyes.
ReplyDeleteoh - and an update on that Skirtcraft kickstarter i mentioned a few days ago: they were successful! they are working on a stretch goal with another color option right now, but i'm excited for them. if anyone from here helped, thanks!
The shirt is gorgeous; all the details are well thought out and beautifully executed.
ReplyDeleteGreat shirt. I agree with the previous posters - these colors look really good on him.
ReplyDeleteI like both shirts. Your work is always so precise. Ed is a very attractive fellow, he looks good in both shirts, but the pink and blue is a good colour for him.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great looking shirt!
ReplyDeleteNice work on the plaid shirt. Did you include channels for collar stays? I would have to say though that I prefer a pleated sleeve at the cuff for a couple of reasons. First, so much easier to iron and second, gives a crisper overall look. Just my opinion. You're darn lucky to live in NYC and have such a great fabric source like Mood.
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