Men's Shirt Sew-Along 14 -- Addressing FIT

Friends, as our Men's Shirt Sew-Along, enters its third week, it's (finally) time to address fit.

As I've mentioned previously, the only shirt pattern alterations I'd made before this Sew-Along were to shorten sleeves and bodice length.  Not that other alterations might not have been called for, I simply didn't know how my shirts should/could fit.

Men's Shirt Sew-Along 13 -- A new collar for Negroni: CONCLUSION

Today, friends, we add our collar to our transformed Negroni shirt!

Men's Shirt Sew-Along 12 -- A new collar for Negroni: PART 2

Friends, yesterday I discussed how to create a new facing and front button placket for the Negroni shirt pattern.  We are turning the casual Negroni shirt into a traditional dress shirt.  Now that you know how to draft your right front facing and left front button placket, it's time to address the collar stand and collar.

Men's Shirt Sew-Along 11 -- A new collar for Negroni!

The Negroni men's shirt pattern is lovely.  I've seen some wonderful early versions in our Flickr group and it's great fun to see how different the results are depending on fabric choice.

Shirt-free Friday + parrot video!

Friends, I think we all deserve a day without shirts -- I know I do. 

Pants are optional.

Men's Shirt Sew-Along 10 -- Finishing Up!

It doesn't seem possible but it's true: today the first part of the MPB Men's Shirt Sew-Along draws to a close.

Now I have a suspicion, judging from your comments (and lack thereof) that not everybody is at this point in their projects yet.  Let me reiterate: no one is required to have a muslin done by today; you are always allowed to work at your own pace.

Men's Shirt Sew-Along 9 -- Side seams and cuffs!

Long-suffering Sew-Alongers, we're nearly at the end of our journey. We've been through so much together, I can hardly wait to relive the whole thing with my real fabric! (We'll be drafting new facings and collar stand/collar too.)  But first a few more steps.

Men's Shirt Sew-Along 8 -- Sleeves, etc.

Readers, leading a Sew-Along is often likened to parenting: there are some unpleasant truths that must be imparted and it's best to just state the facts.  So truth #1: Sewing a shirt can be hard.  Some of you realize this already.  I wish this weren't so but there it is.

Like old age according to Bette Davis, Shirtmaking ain't for sissies, not that sissy is a word I would ever use.  Wimps -- Shirtmaking ain't for wimps.  So if you're still with me at this point this much is clear: you're not a wimp.  I really should be raising children.

Men's Shirt Sew-Along 7 -- Let's get our collar on!

Friends, today is a very big day in our Men's Shirt Sew-Along.  We have a lot to cover so let's get to it!

Men's Shirt Sew-Along 6 -- Putting it together, bit by bit

Good morning, Sew-Along stalwarts.  Today is the first day of the rest of your shirts!

Men's Shirt Sew-Along 5 -- Collars and Cuffs and (belch) Interfacing

Goodness, is it Saturday already?

I hope you didn't think you were going to get the weekend off like on those other blogs.  I suppose you'll expect me to sing Do Re Mi and put on marionette shows, too.  (I would be open to a play clothes-from-curtains sew-along, however.)  Let's focus, people!

Men's Shirt Sew-Along 4 -- The Placket Racket

Friends, I want to teach you all about plackets.  Actually, I'd like you to read this first, from Wikipedia, and spare me some work.

Men's Shirt Sew-Along 3 -- Pockets, Plackets and Perfectionism

Sew-Alongers, what you are looking at is the first sleeve placket I ever made on my very first men's shirt.  Not pretty, is it?  Here's my first pocket:

Men's Shirt Sew-Along 2 -- Cut it out already!

Sew-Alongers, as exciting as yesterday was, it gets better today, way better.  We're ready to cut our muslin.

Men's Shirt Sew-Along 1 -- Let's get started!

Welcome to the MPB Men's Shirt Sew-Along!  In the next few weeks I am going to lead you through the construction of a men's shirt, starting first with a muslin and then moving on to our final garment.