10.11.11

a checked shirt


Well, the sun is very obliging this morning so I made myself a large cup of tea and took some hasty snaps of my latest sewing project. The minute I saw this fabric I knew it would be right for a shorter version of the Merchant and Mills dress shirt I made recently. It is a single-sided napped cotton, brushed on the reverse, and will be perfect for Autumn and Winter.

Thankfully I noticed the annoying flaw in the fabric whilst it was on the ironing board so I was able to keep it in mind when arranging the pattern pieces. I managed to juggle them around so that the final piece was as close to the flaw as possible so I still have enough fabric for another project. There's someone else in the house who has her beady eyes on these checks too!


The bib of the M&M pattern is designed to be cut out as two halves and then sewn together but I wanted a continuous line of checks. So I placed the pattern piece on the fold, overlapped it by 1.5cm (to take into account the seam allowances for each half) and cut it as one whole piece. When it came to stitching the bib to the front of the shirt, I took it really slowly to avoid the fabric shifting and throwing the checks out of alignment at the pleat. Thankfully it worked out pretty well.


The pattern is pre-cut into a long dress shirt so I decided on my final length and used a tape measure to mark the edges at each side. I also wanted to keep the curved hem, so I just moved the pattern piece upwards to meet the marked edges and then traced along the curve. I shortened my dress by 32cm.


Then, because the fabric is most definitely intended for the cooler months, I lengthened the sleeves too. I did this by simply extending the existing cutting line of the pattern piece with a ruler, and I lengthened it by 22cm. As with the first, there is a fair bit of optional edge stitching, around the bib, along the shoulder line, on the yoke. So I gave myself a reasonably wide hem on the sleeve and edge stitched that too.


The shirt was a joy to sew, just as I loved making the dress version, but I still had problems with the first sleeve. It had to be unpicked twice until it occurred to me to try it on the other armhole. Yep, you've guessed it .. doh!

I finally succumbed to the heating switch yesterday. Just for the sake of getting the family up in the morning you understand. Although I do realise my challenge to forego the heating for as long as possible is crumbling, I think the house will thank me for it. All that heavy rainfall has not helped the brickwork!!


Wishing you all a sunny, dry day!

23 comments:

  1. You are clever Kate, it's gorgeous!!
    The fabric is beautiful and your sewing is sooooo neat, everything matches perfectly. :)
    Thankfully we have got a sunny, dry day, hope your's is good too!
    Vivienne x

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  2. Oh Kate! the garment turned out absolutely lovely, impeccable handiwork and those checks are wonderful. The sun was obliging, do you take the photos with a tripod or do you have a helping hand? Whatever, they are terrific!
    PS I gave in and switched on the heat nearly three weeks ago!

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  3. it looks great! i wish i could sew clothes for myself without them turning into a disaster, lol :)
    stay warm...

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  4. It is fantastic and that is one neat job with the matching stripes!

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  5. I love it! Great alterations too:)

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  6. Its fantastic, what a fab seamstress you are.

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  7. You are clever and I love the checks - lovely and warm and not quite gingham - they really do suit you.

    Love your big mug - hope you had some biscuits to dunk?

    Have a lovely day,

    Nina xxx

    ps. thanks for the smallest ones birthday wishes - though no apologies needed. N xxx

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  8. It's lovely Kate! Really gorgeous - well done you x

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  9. I ♥ the fabric! And by the way - the one you have shown at your last post too :)

    lots of greetings!
    maren

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  10. Truly masterly! I love it!!
    Such a long time since I stitched anything for myself to wear ... you've set my fingers itching ;D

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  11. I really like this shirt Kate. Will look great with jeans and boots.

    You may have already seen my email but if not, the deed is done. I can hardly wait for the postman's delivery in a day or two!

    Jeanne
    x

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  12. Ooh...this is so lovely Kate....I can see the beautiful quality of the fabric through your photographs and your sewing skills are the best....I love to see your makes...they are so inspiring...
    Susan x

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  13. GORGEOUS fabric - I love it. Really love the fabric on your previous post too. x

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  14. It is a beautiful shirt - I love the fabric!

    Pomona x

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  15. I really like that - looks comfy to wear :)

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  16. That top looks perfect for sitting by the fire and eating marshmallows.

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  17. That mug is perfect - and the tea looks just the strength I like it. Shirt is also enviable (of course).

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  18. That is an absolutely glorious shirt! I love it.

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  19. You are very clever to sew like that - no sewing of mine would stand up to such close-up photography! Looks lovely!

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  20. This is great - once you have the confidence to alter patterns the world's your oyster. Whoops , haven't we all tried the equivalent of trying to fit the sleeve into the wrong armhole?

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  21. I think the changes you have made make it into the perfect winter tunic. Enjoy wearing it, won't you. T x

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  22. Autumn, I feel Autumn when I see your latest Merchant and Mills. It's just lovely, the sleeves work beautifully, and when I'm able to get some sewing time in, I would love to make this pattern up for myself, I could see myself wearing it all the time. I do appreciate your detailed account of the sewing you did, I have a feeling it will come in useful when I'm able to make this for myself, and it's also very interesting to read too. Such a satisfying post! Vanessa xxx

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  23. another great shirt! your sewing is impeccable. i have been looking at the M&M patterns for awhile but have not purchase any of their patterns, thanks for sharing another wonderful project.

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There's nothing like a comment to stop me feeling like I'm talking to myself. If you leave one here I'll pop one back here too, so don't forget to come back and continue the conversation ..

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