Hi, sewing friends! It feels like forever since we’ve had a good old basic sewing post. So that’s what we have today. I love doing special projects and field trips and, honestly, taking a break from blogging has allowed me to build up a nice backlog of projects to share with you, but it’s also nice to get back to the normal, everyday type of sewing stuff. A little break makes it feel more special, and it makes me excited to share things with you.
So, all that to say, I made a shirt! And I love it!
The pattern I used was Simplicity 2255, which first came to life in my closet in an orange iteration last year.
This time I made the same view (View D) in the same size (16 at the bust, 18 at the waist and hips), but I left off the pocket, and I didn’t mess up the bias binding on the armholes! Progress!
I will say that the shirt feels different in the quilting cotton I chose this time around than the voile-like mystery fabric I used last time. I think I would like the armhole to be slightly larger, so I looked in some fitting books and, if I make this again, I’m going to try scooping out the bottom curve of the armhole just a bit, although I’m open to other suggestions if you have them. It’s not uncomfortable exactly, but it feels a bit high and like there should be more room. This wasn’t something I noticed in the first version.
I’d had my eye on this fabric for a long time, but what I didn’t see until my friend pointed it out, was that the pattern on this fabric almost makes a sort of plaid. (Thanks, Maggie!) I haven’t really delved into much pattern matching, but I decided to try to generally match the horizontal lines, and it turned out pretty well! I’m happy with it. I’m also really in love with the vintage buttons I used that came from my mother-in-law (Thanks, Mom!).
I’m trying really hard to pay attention to what I most like to wear in each season and what I feel good in. For summer, I’ve decided I like looser things so the breeze can keep me cool when I’m wearing them. (In contrast, I find that I want to be wrapped up in blankets in the winter, hence “secret blanket clothing”.) This shirt is definitely loose and breezy, and I feel super cool when I’m wearing it (literally and figuratively).
Here are a few detail shots.
So, that’s about it for this shirt! I’ve worn it two times this week, and I washed it yesterday so I can wear it again today. Don’t judge (or if you have to, keep it on the inside)! 😉
How about some Recommendations?
- When I get the chance to watch TV these days, I’ve really been enjoying Atelier, a show created by Netflix and Fuji TV about a girl just out of school (college? grad school?) who goes to work in a custom lingerie store in Tokyo. Unlike an American show, this isn’t smutty or racy, but is a really heartwarming story about learning to take pride in making quality work and to prioritize your customers, co-workers, and friends above your bottom line.
- Hila’s blue dress over on Saturday Night Stitch is so cute. I love it! She copied a ready-to-wear dress, and I’d say she nailed it.
- Allie J. interviews Deborah Kreiling of Simplicity, and they talk all about Simplicity’s vintage rereleases. It’s really fascinating to get an inside look at Simplicity’s process.
- And because I try to share the new things I find with you, I bring you an Olympic sport I missed the first time around: ballet skiing. I’ll leave it up to you to decide if the world is better or worse without this in the Olympics.
Love this!!! Can I borrow it indefinitely? .😉
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Haha. No! 😉 But I appreciate the compliment inherent in that request. 🙂
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Currently making this (version “C”) and was wondering about whether to make it in size 16 or 18. Thank you so much for sharing which size and how you modified it with 16 and 18. I am built pretty close to your build and will do the same. I also like looser clothing in summer. TFS all of your experience with this pattern. It was very helpful to me.
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Hi Jen. Thanks for your kind words. I would pick the size based on your measurement using the size chart provided on the pattern envelope, which is what I did. I just looked at the post and it looks like I made a 16 at the bust and graded to an 18 for waist and hips because that was where my measurements put me. So check your measurements and compare them to the size chart. Hopefully the details in the post (and the other post on this pattern, which is linked above) will help. Good luck!
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What a cute shirt – I love it. The material is great – and you’ve done a great job with the pattern matching – and those little sleeves are fantastic.
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Thanks, Jenny!
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Gorgeous! I love it, and you look adorable and joyful in it. I’m repeating my request that you consider making clothes on a larger scale… or figuring out a way to get other people to make your versions. I would wear (and BUY) just about everything you make, and I’m sure I’m not alone!
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Thanks, Heidi! 🙂
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What a beautiful shirt! It looks great on you and I love those pink buttons too.
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Thanks!
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AH! I love that fabric… I have been eyeing it. So cool to see something made with it. Awesome shirt!
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Thanks, Laurel. You should make one–we can be twins! 😉
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What a great shirt. I love the fabric/button combination. Thanks also for the recommendation to read the interview. I enjoyed reading it.
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Thanks! I’m glad you liked the interview. I thought it was pretty cool, too.
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Love this!!!! I NEED you to make me this for Christmas. 😆
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Thanks! I’ll think about it… 😉
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Hmm… I haven’t noticed that pattern before. Now I see it done up I love the shape and the sleeves. Nice handiwork and it looks lovely on you. Kind of summery, yet dressy!
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Thanks, Linda. I really appreciate that.
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Beautiful! And the little sleeves are so cute 🙂
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Thank you! I wasn’t sure if I liked them at first, but now that I’m used to them, I really like them.
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I so love the way you sew with contrasting thread. I never think of that with clothes. It’s such a great idea; it makes your projects look less homemade and more like professional /store-bought clothes. Very nice.
Now, about the ski ballet…in my younger years, we used to fool around on the mountain at our local ski area and do exactly that (without the head over poles jump). We also included lots of backward skiing too. So fun; but of course we were much more agile and fearless then!
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Thanks for your comment about the contrasting thread. I really like doing that. And…as for ski ballet, maybe you missed your true calling! 😉
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