This weekend I decided to use some patchwork fabric I've had in my stash for a few years now, which I purchased at Metro Textiles (the end of a bolt) for a song.
I knew I wanted to make something relatively loose and flowy, so I chose McCalls 5944, a vintage Seventies men's pullover shirt pattern. It's a caftan-style shirt, just rectangles and a collar. It went together quickly.
I used white cotton percale for the front center facing and made button loops out of pieces of patchwork. (I make my button loops with a metal loop turner.)
My buttons are vintage pearly plastic shank buttons. Nothing fancy.
As you can see, the armholes are at right angles, no curves.
Here's the finished shirt on my dressform....
And here it is on me!
This will be a great top for an upcoming beach vacation or, with a neckerchief and glasses, a Charles Nelson Reilly look-alike contest.
Seriously, though, I love this top: it's loose and breezy and I think it really works well with the patchwork cotton fabric. (I made this on my Janome Hello Kitty, for those of you who are interested in such things.)
That's all the me-sewing I get to do this week; now on to my next flat patternmaking class assignment, a princess-seamed, raglan-sleeved, shawl-collared, double-breasted jacket. (Wish me luck.)
Have a great day, everybody!
Love it, you have a bold wonderful style
ReplyDeleteThat looks great! Very summery. Also, I LOVE that painting. lol
ReplyDeleteFun shirt. Needs some white gauzy pants loose & sandals.
ReplyDeleteThe shawl collar double-breasted coat sounds like something your mother could swan about in this fall.
ReplyDeleteI would love that as a caftan for hanging around on a hot summer day.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great summer look, Peter! Perfect for the beach.
ReplyDeleteIn the late 70s I had a dashiki shirt pattern with raglan sleeves that I used over and over. Of course it wouldn't fit me now, but I wish I had it in my current size. It was the one clothing thing I ever made that I wore over and over.
ReplyDeleteYou are such a colorful person!
ReplyDeleteSo 70's! At first I thought "Whaaaat?" But the more I look at it, the more I like it -- kinda grows on you kind of thing. The mix of colors are flattering on you and I'm sure it is comfortable to wear.
ReplyDeleteSo groovy! C'mon, get happy!
ReplyDeleteI love this so much! Just thinking about sewing this intimidates me so much, but it looks great! Just wanted to say I've been a huge fan of your blog and have read it constantly over the last year. Its been a real joy and has really inspired my grandma and I. It makes me so happy to see another male sewer. Your blog has been the single biggest inspiration for starting my own blog, and for that I am incredibly grateful. I look up to you so, so much! Thank you so much for all you do!
ReplyDeleteThose John Weitz tie pants in a white linen would complete the boho summer look.
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