A Three Part Sew For Me! First, A Shirt

I’m always overthinking my blog. In my recent bout of overthinking, I had this pattern coming up. I decided that instead of zipping though things, and making only one piece of an outfit, that I would make all three pieces. I had bought this pattern with myself in mind, so that’s who I was going to sew it for, me!

By the way, I didn’t pay $16.95 for it. I never pay full price for a pattern. I always wait for a sale or, in the case of vintage patterns, buy them second hand. And of course, inherit them!

I got to work on the shirt. I decided to go with this fabric that featured dress forms. I marked the darts, and was ready to sew!

Then I realized, with the seam in the front, and it being a fabric with a pattern, I hadn’t cut the pieces for the design to line up in the front. I got the pattern piece for the front and tried to line it up with the remaining fabric that I had. I could not cut a new piece where the design would line up. It would have to stay the way it was. If I was in a sewing competition I would have just lost with that rookie move!

I messed up on the neck slit, and had to seam rip it and redo it.

Hemming.

Using the zig zag stitch on the edges of the fabric.This will help to keep it from fraying.

The collar was pinned on and was ready to be stitched down.

I then added the neck facing which was a strip of fabric cut on the bias, and folded in half.

Once sewn on it is flipped over onto the inside.

Since this shirt is sleeveless, the arm holes are finished the same way.

It was time to work on the bow. I put interfacing onto the back side of the fabric.

I then ironed it in half and sewed all but a small part closed. The open part is where I would flip it back to the right side out.

I very carefully hand stitched the opening closed.

Then, the instructions called for a small button closure at the back of the shirt. It said to make a fabric loop as the button hole. I had never done this. I didn’t want to use a single sewing thread, it would be too thin. I didn’t want to use something like embroidery floss, I didn’t think it would look right.Then I had an idea!

I had some really small crochet hooks that had belonged to Sophrona, my Great Grandmother for those of you new to the blog. I got one and a spool of old thread. Old thread is more substantial than thread made nowadays. I carefully made a chain, and decided it would work perfectly for a button loop!

Good thing my mom had taught me how to crochet! Well, I’m still learning. She’s teaching me one pattern at a time, but I can chain for sure! I have yet to move onto delicate doily threads, but I am determined to get there! My mom however, is a master at crochet!

And what on earth was Sophrona making with those little crochet hooks? Well, one thing I know she made was this incredibly dainty doily. I have it sitting on a shelf, just above her tailor’s ruler that she used when she worked as a seamstress.

Here’s a penny for scale.

I can’t imagine doing all of those little stitches. I think when I’m ready to move onto doilies I’ll have to invest in a magnifier!

The shirt was finished and although I had a ways to go on the other two pieces, I thought it would be fun to style the shirt more casually. Yes, I’ll wear it with the skirt and jacket, and soon, but I can also wear it whenever I like!

(I don’t think the front seam mistake is too big of a deal, but feel free to dock me points for it, HA!)

Very casual indeed!

It was going to rain, but the clouds matched my shirt!

A perfect shirt for porch sitting.

I couldn’t have a shirt with dress forms on it and not take a picture with Guinevere. (Peep the doily behind me on the shelf!)

I love how the shirt turned out, it’s a new favorite of mine! If you’re wondering if I buy clothes in the store anymore the answer is, very rarely. Why buy what you can make?

As for this shirt, like most of my sews I had to trouble shoot, try new things ( like the button loop), and mess up along the way! I’ll keep at it though! With each project I hone my skills. So wherever you are in your sewing journey, or crafting journey, or just life in general, keep at it!

And someday, with the help of my mom, I’ll be crocheting little things!

As for me, onto the next!