Button down Shirt

As part of my binge shirt sewing in August I also replicated my favorite store-bought button down shirt.

I've tried to replicate it one other time with pretty good results (that was two years ago already and I've learned SO much in garment construction since then!).  I think I've got the kinks worked out and feel comfortable enough making all the different parts (collars, cuffs, plackets, etc) that next time I can invest in some great high quality fabric.  The first shirt (the green one) was quilting cotton and this one is a lightweight cotton purple paisley print.  I consider these both 'wearable muslins' - they let me practice and turned out a definitely wearable shirt but aren't anything special as far as fabric goes.

One completely new thing I learned on this shirt is how to sew a tailored sleeve placket.  I slowly followed step by step instructions from this book on my shelf and they came together fabulously.   I'll be proud of them, even if no one else knows but me.  :)  (Turns out a placket is hard to photograph...)

The pintucks were an experiment.  I think they're so so.  I had just barely enough width of fabric to do three on each side so that was decided more by necessity than design.  It gives the shirt a little something extra and was another way to practice something new on this shirt.  I chose pearl colored buttons to go with the pintucks and the lilac color to keep it feminine.

The construction of this shirt went very smoothly - everything from the plackets to the buttonholes to the hemming went very smoothly and was a fun change from sewing knits and baby gifts.  Hopefully the fabric will wear nicely and it will be a useful addition to my closet!  Now I need to decide on what fabric I'll use for the next version - I'd like something soft but sturdy.

After making myself four shirts, its time to switch gears and get back to a quilt project...

Sewaholic Renfrew Shirts

I have very much enjoyed sewing things for myself this past month.  :)

I'm trying to be more specific about what clothes I sew and pick projects that purposely fill holes in my wardrobe.  I've been steadily improving my church wardrobe over the last year with a few dresses.  The wardrobe hole I chose to work on in August was nice shirts.  I have plenty of everyday t-shirts and a few dressy church tops but not much in between.  I work part-time and found myself rotating through the same three shirts over and over.

I'd read about the 'Sewaholic Renfrew' shirt many times on sewing blogs and thought I'd give it a try.  Total winner!  I had to alter the neck/upper shoulder area to fit me nicely, but once the fit was worked out the shirts were very quick and easy to make.  I could crank one out in an afternoon, start to finish - the cutting AND the sewing.

I really like the cowl neck version (view C).  I love that the cowl is small and nicely proportioned.  Usually I admire cowls/scarves on other people but when I try to wear them I look like I'm drowning/choking/smothered in fabric.  This pattern seems to be just the right amount of fabric to be a nice design feature without going overboard.  In fact, I'll probably use the cowl pattern piece to make small scarves in the future since I know I like the size.

Finding knits locally (that aren't ugly) is a challenge for me so I ventured online again.  Girl Charlee seems to have a decent selection for decent prices and so far the quality has been good.  Before cutting into the 'good' Girl Charlee fabric I made one from some unidentified-in-the-stash-a-long-time-crushed-velour type knit.   I am happy with the way it turned out and think it'll work nicely for work or church.

I used the pattern's waistband and cuffs but decided afterwards I didn't really like them.  I removed the cuffs from the sleeves (and just hemmed them with my twin needle) but I left the waistband on for length.  Its growing on me after seeing it in the pictures, so I'll leave it on. 

The second shirt was another cowl neck, this time in a solid light green knit.  The second and third pictures shows the truest color.  I left off the waistband this time (lengthening the shirt to compensate) but did use a cuff on the sleeves.

The third shirt was an experiment in color blocking.  I love these Marianne dresses but don't have much need for knit dresses so I thought I'd try a shirt with similar style lines.   I think the colorblocking worked out okay and like the stripe.

This one was a very different weight knit and I'm hoping it relaxes a bit in the wash.  The shoulder seams are a bit wobbly and it just doesn't seem as soft and drapey.  I'm definitely still learning about the many different kinds of knit fabric out there.  

I drafted my own neckline for this one.  The Renfrew pattern comes with a scoop neck but I like higher necklines so I drew my own line.  I overcompensated so its actually a little skinny/tight but that is easily adjusted next time.   My ribbing/binding worked out great on this shirt and I even topstitched it with my twin needle so its looks professionally finished.  

My favorite part about the shirts is that they are long enough for my long torso (because I made them that way).   Ready to wear shirts are never long enough for me.  The Renfrew pattern is super easy to work with and I think it has a lot of potential for using in different ways.  Now I have a couple of nice new shirts to add to my drawer.  

And thanks to Leah for being photographer on the driveway while I tried on all three newly made shirts.  :)  

Apron Number 7

This is the seventh apron I've made this year.  Two housewarming gifts, two bridal shower gifts, and three teacher gifts.  They make great presents - useful, unique in that not everyone has handmade aprons laying around their kitchens, easy to personalize, and quick to sew.

Not much new to say about this one - same old pattern for the basic size, my own embellishments.   This bright fabric came from Hobby Lobby.  The recipient is a cheerful person so hopefully she will enjoy a bright and cheery apron.

This one will be delivered this week to the new house with a plate of tasty fresh muffins.

(Another) Apron and Towel Set

My extended family is enjoying a season of plentiful weddings and babies.  There seems to be a shower every month or so for a bride-to-be or a mother-to-be.  Next up is a bridal shower for my future sister in law.  I went with my current favorite shower gift - a snazzy apron and embellished towels.

I picked out fun fabric in her wedding colors, made the apron, and when I was choosing buttons I thought to myself, "Huh - I think this one ended up looking a lot like Abbey's apron."  Yep.  Almost an exact duplicate.  Even the fabric motif is the same, just a slightly different scale.   It wasn't on purpose, but I love them both!  The first one was a hit at the first shower so hopefully this one will be liked as well.

One new thing about this apron is I now own a ruffler foot for my sewing machine.  So handy and fun to use!  I used it to make the ruffle on the bottom and the ruffled placket.

 I can't resist those jeweled buttons - I think they are such a fun touch.

The towels are nice quality ones purchased in white and I added the navy strip.  Very useful and a little bit personal.

Its been a year of aprons around here - this makes six so far in 2015 and I still have at least one more to go.