I’m joining a Men’s Shirt Sew-Along at Male Pattern Boldness, starting at February 1! If you’ve never heard of Peter of Male Pattern Boldness, you really should check out his blog and read his adventure in clothes-making, written in the most entertaining way as possible. He posts everyday, which I really admire. Reading his posts often makes me chuckling in the middle of the night (got to blame those time differences!). Peter is arranging a sew-along using Negroni pattern from Colette (but you can use any men’s shirt pattern as well), and the time is just perfect because my husband can have a new shirt for spring.
I rarely made any shirt for myself. Usually I prefer wearing dress, as wearing separate top and bottom always makes me feel a bit self-conscious about my asymmetrical hip (because of scoliosis).
But I decided to make a simple blouse, maybe I want to try something different, and also as a ‘warming-up’ project for the sew-along. The fabric is called ‘Toys’ by Shinzi Katoh. I bought it without much thought, just because it is so cute, that’s why I only had 1 m of the fabric. Luckily it was just enough for a blouse in my size.
I drafted the pattern myself, using directions from 1970 book, Pattern Drafting Vol. II. The flat collar was drafted from Garment Design Textbook (3) Blouses ＆ Dresses, published by Bunka. My husband bought #1 and #3 from this series as my birthday presents (^_^)
The blouse was pretty simple, with front and back darts, bust darts, and small shoulder darts. I love shoulder darts! In my opinion they make the clothes lay better on the backside. There was not enough fabric even for the small back facing, so I use double-gauze bias tape to attach the collar.
I kinda like the finished blouse, despite still a bit self-conscious about my hip. I’m wearing it here with my favorite bubble shorts. The tie is just a piece of black lace. Too bad it is still too cold to wear this blouse outside, I can’t wait for spring!
Blouse pattern is self-drafted.
36 Comments
oo! thanks for the pattern ideas :D
I’m going to try it out (blouse JJ).. maybe with a few less ruffles though :)
The fabric looks fantastic!
gorgeous!!
hmm i just wrote a comment and my computer refreshed and it went :( grrr! anyway, i just wanted to say that i LOVE LOVE LOVE this blouse!!! i really need to find a cute blouse pattern like this -not brave enough or good enough yet to draft my own yet..
VERY cute fabric choice!! i love it, esp with the dark neck tie and shorts -you shouldn’t be self conscious.. its the cutest outfit!!
You can try JJ blouse (http://www.burdastyle.com/patterns/jj) or Ute Blouse (http://www.burdastyle.com/patterns/ute) from Burdastyle. Both are PDF patterns, and JJ blouse is free.
I’ve seen lots of people have made these two blouses with pretty results :)
Adorable shirt! I wonder which kind of fabric you have used. I have visited the website, they got different kinds – knit, poplin …. ?
Helle
Thank you! My fabric is cotton oxford, but I bought it in a store, not from the website :)
I am also a big fan of Shinzi Katoh, I used that fabric for making bibs, it is also nice for shirt, lovely one you just made, love it.
This shirt is absolutely darling! I love it w/ the shorts B)
Gosh! youre so talented girl! Love the shirt. I am so petrified of making clothes for myself. Here in India you dont get patterns in the market and I’m just too scared to make my own…its just never turned out right :( Love seeing all your stuff though.
too cute!!!
0.0
Soo cute, I want one! The fabric is super cute too…yay!
Love it! It’s funny how a detail like a collar can make such a difference.:)
Adorable! I want one! :D
you are too cute!
xx
Alexandra
http://www.alexandragrecco.etsy.com
might be the cutest blouse i’ve ever seen!
I love this shirt!! And I’m dying to get some of the fabric. It’s the cutest I’ve seen in a long time. Is there anywhere online where I can buy some, do you know?
you look totally 16ish!:D great fabric choice for the shirt!
The fabric is really pretty and the collar seems done so neatly. I am a novice at sewing collar and am impressed by your talent :)
Flat collar is relatively easier. I still can never do shirt collar (the one with collar band) neatly! :)
really cute! and amazing fabric choice. congrats!
Cutest shirt ever!!!
The shirt is really cute on you! Definitely on my to do list – to make a shirt for my husband!
Love everything about this project! The fabric is so cute and the pattern makes it unbelievably desirable! Photos are fabulous too!
Brilliant fabric choice! I love the Peter Pan collar and lace tie too.
Portia
xxx
ps. You look lovely and I’ve never noticed your assymetrical hip in any photo post
Thank you Portia!
Actually I kinda have learned how to stand and pose in a way that doesn’t show the asymmetrical hip. My brother once asked my mother if my hip had been fixed because ‘she doesn’t look bent anymore’ :D
Hello Novita! I love everything about this blouse, the print, style and the way you paired it with those cute bubble shorts and pretty red shoes!!! I don’t think you need to feel self conscious about anything because you look so gorgeous!! You’re amazing!!
You look like a total school girl! Love your hairdo – matches the outfit perfectly :)
its adorable novita! i follow peter’s blog too, and wanted to do the sew along (make it a great gift for my husband for v-day!) but i dont think i have enough projects in hand..
although, im participating in casey’s 40s swing dress sew along, and im pretty excited! this will be my first sew along:)
Ooh I ‘ve been thinking about Casey’s sew-along too. But I guess 40s swing dress doesn’t really suit me… But you would look great in a swing dress!