Thursday, January 20, 2011

Men's Shirt Sew-Along

I've decided to jump on board the Men's Shirt Sew-Along at Male Pattern Boldness!

 

I just happen to have thrifted this vintage (c. 1943) men's shirt pattern, Simplicity No. 1961, sometime during the past year or so.  I'll be making View 2.

Now, my husband isn't going to wear this, I am!  The pattern is my size, thankfully, so I won't have to resize it (then I would be lost), except for adding probably 2-1/2 inches to the length of the body and the sleeves.  Yes, I'm gangly like that.

But I figure View 2 is feminine looking enough with the lower patch pockets, the rounded cuffs, and the gathered back yoke.  I'll probably fem it up a bit more by reversing the way it buttons up the front and possibly changing the line of the collar slightly.  We'll see.  

I'll be making it in this fabulous Michael Miller Carnival Bloom corduroy that I ordered yesterday from Fabric.com.

Isn't it cute?  Flower power!

The idea would be to wear the shirt open with a T-shirt underneath, like so:


This pattern has very good instructions, and although it's a fairly simple pattern, there is attention to detail in the construction of it.  Flat-fell seams...

...and hand-worked buttonholes.  That'll be a first for me (or not).

The sew-along gets underway February 1.  Peter plans to have us make a muslin first, which I'm happy for.  No one wants to make a wadder, after all.

Anyone else want to join in?  Head over to Male Pattern Boldness for the details.  He's set up a Flickr group too.

I'm excited about this!  In the meantime, though, I need to clear the deck of that pesky but beautiful PhD Challenge project I'm working on!  

7 comments:

SueWis said...

Nice fabric and pattern choice! Should be super cute when it's done. I have made a few men's shirts in my day and it was fun!

Anonymous said...

Very cool. Can't wait to see it when it is done!

Sarah Craig said...

How cool, P.! You may already be aware, but be sure to check the pattern measurements before you cut - standard sizes change over the year and a size 14 today is not the same measurements as a size 14 from 40 years ago! There may not be the same problem with men's patterns, but better safe than sorry!

Shay said...

I adore that corduroy!

And I would never ever attempt clothes so in my eyes you're brave and gutsy.

Good luck and I cant wait to see the finished item.

Elizabeth said...

That is going to be SO cute! P., I love your style! Can't wait to see how it goes. And you'd better post pictures of you (not Dolly) wearing it!

xo -El

Elizabeth said...

P.S. If your machine has a button-hole stitch on it, do it by machine!

Michelle said...

Very cool! Awesome fabric.