Readers, I know the changes are subtle -- a muted purple inside collar stand attached to a regular collar -- but I like this version of my tan shirt much more than the earlier one. I've decided I'm not really into shirts with just collar bands; my neck's too long for them, or my face is too narrow. Or something.
I also added purple to the inside of the right button placket, about 7" down.
I cut a new collar stand with tan on the outside and purple on the inside; a second layer of purple serves as interfacing. For some reason it takes longer to fiddle with finished projects than to make new ones.
I've also been working on my black and white gingham shirt. It's almost finished.
Have you ever had your shears sharpened? I hadn't, but I was noticing that mine weren't as sharp as they used to be. Right across the street from the Chelsea Flea Market is Henry Westphal Co., Inc. They've been sharpening shears since 1874 so presumably they know what they're doing. I brought two of mine in on Thursday and picked them up today.
It cost $8 per, which isn't nothing, but it's not the kind of job I'm going to have done often, nor would I know how to do this at home. Much better!
In ditching news, this is the week I'm supposed to post things on eBay, which I'm not looking forward to. I suppose it could wait till next week. Or the week after that. Hey, why not Christmas?
Readers, I hope your projects are going well and, more importantly, that your shears are sharp. Of course, I cut my fabric with a rotary cutter so my shears see much less action than they otherwise might. Still, they do get used quite a bit.
That's it for now -- have a great day, everybody!
Our Joann's used to have a guy come by once a month. He did scissors and knives. Right before Thanksgiving he was really busy! They discontinued it so now I go to a sewing repair store. They don't do knives though. Will be taking my pinkers in real soon.
ReplyDeleteLove the shirts. Yes, you need a collar for some reason.
You should post now! People are already shopping eBay for Christmas presents.
ReplyDeleteOoh, I love the change! The little hint of purple is gorgeous! I much prefer shirts with collars-- for some reason, they look unfinished to me when they don't have them (and they're in a weird in-between spot of not really being dressy, but not being casual).
ReplyDeleteAfter a couple of sharpening disasters with local, or itinerant sharpeners, my Ginghers will ONLY go back to Gingher for sharpening. They offer that service and I highly recommend it to everyone.
ReplyDeleteHad all our major kitchen knives and the rotary leather cutter sharpened this weekend by a pro at an event. Came out so well I can't imagine how I lived with them before having them done.
ReplyDeleteReally like the shirt mods :-)
Peter, I love this change. You definitely look better in shirts with collars to my eye, probably for the reasons you noted.
ReplyDeleteSystem wouldn't let me go back and add to the previous...
ReplyDeleteI've taken to selling eBay stuff on Craigslist. When you consider the cost of the final value fee on the sale price including the postage amount...my God...and the PayPal fee plus the grief of sending things out .... I decide what I'd be happy getting on eBay and then drop it 20 or 25% to sell on CL.
Seems to work and it's a whole lot easier.
Love the new look to the tan shirt! Have you ever had your rotary blades sharpened? I tried out a cheap sharpener for blades (basically just an emery wheel) with no success. Recently I saw a much dearer sharpening kit advertised for rotary blades and am wondering if it would be useful. I cut just about all my sewing projects using the rotary- think I've only had my shears sharpened once in ten years.
ReplyDeleteThis doesn't have much to do with this post, but I wanted to thank you for your influence in my sewing life. I've finally dove into sewing men's (okay, boys') shirts, and your information was exactly what I needed. Everyone who sees them assume I bought them.
ReplyDeleteI also purchased an older machine, a Viking Husqvarna 150. It was only $25 and it came with all the feet I'll ever need. It runs like a dream and tackles denim like nothing I've ever seen. It's going to be extremely useful when I make pants for my slim, tall son.
So, again, thank you for blogging what you do. It's helped me ever-so-much.
Thanks, Krista. That's great to hear!
DeleteNice change Peter! You know I never realized how much easier it is to cut with quality scissors! In the past I wouldn't even think of spending anything over $10 for scissors, but after going through the many cheap pairs I have, I couldn't find any that did a good job so I took the plunge and got my first pair of Gingher dressmaker shears. Boy what a difference! I don't know why I didn't get them sooner!!
ReplyDeleteYou are a shirt surgeon.
ReplyDelete1) Love the change in the shirt, I agree - much improved. You do better with the collar.
ReplyDelete2) Your stitching is a thing of beauty! Such nice work. I know, it comes from practice, but I am still turning a bit green.
3) The comment from anonymous about selling things on Craig's LIst vs eBay was interesting. I understand - so many little fees associated with selling online. I've gotten to the point that more and more I'm just as likely to give things away unless they are truly worth a chunk of change. And $10 isn't much of a chunk when so much is lost to fees on eBay!
Angela, in my head I know you are right!
DeleteMy Dad is the same way; I've made him several shirts without the collar, and he much prefers them with. Love the idea of the contrasting fabric on the tan shirt. The gingham is looking splendid!
ReplyDeleteI just had 7 pairs of scissors (a variety of thread snips, antique buttonhole scissors, and some shears) sharpened by Honed to Perfection in Iowa City, IA. He is amazing and is fast. He has his own web page, and charges $5 per pair with $6 for shipping.
I've been trying to keep up with the ditching, but only managed to jettison some costumey clothes to Goodwill this week.
Lisa
I never realize how dull my shears are until I have them sharpened and then I wonder how I was able to cut anything. I think it's a good investment. I don't use a rotary cutter for cutting out because I don't have a large enough mat for cutting on.
ReplyDeleteA little off-topic, but should we assume you're not doing anything fabulous for Halloween this year? Or perhaps you're using last year's costume, since it didn't get a chance to have its formal public debut? Just curious. I love seeing your creativity in costuming. I just found some photos of my daughter's finished Red Queen costume that I never posted and need to put up; this year's costume sewing is under way and includes use of my embroidery machine.
Sadly, Jen, it seems Michael and I will not be celebrating Halloween this year. Maybe in 2014!
DeleteIn your photos you are wearing the gingham with attached collar and the inside appears to be solid gingham. In the previous photo you show the pre-assembled collar and stand with white on the inside of the collar stand...so what happend?
ReplyDeleteThe white is the fabric I used to interface the collar stand. That photos shows the inside of the outer stand.
Delete