Rather than make a true muslin, I picked up 2.4m of cotton voile for $14.00 to make a wearable muslin. To begin a took some measurements of the pattern, checking that the darts weren't too high, that the body length wasn't going to be short. I did length the arms by 2". I cut a size 8 and narrowed to a size 6 at the hip on the side seam.
I'm happily sewing along, following the instructions and feeling pretty pleased with myself and how fantastic the seam allowances looked on the inside with a french seam finish.
The yoke beautifully encases the seam finishes and is really easy to achieve. Then I got to the front and was all confused, coz I misses the note on the pattern piece where the cut line on the right side was different to the left. I had to cut off the band I had already attached and start again after I had cut the centre front in the right place. Luckily I had cut 2 of the front placket pattern piece anyway, instead of just one that was required. Must have known I was going to mess it up!
The yoke beautifully encases the seam finishes and is really easy to achieve. Then I got to the front and was all confused, coz I misses the note on the pattern piece where the cut line on the right side was different to the left. I had to cut off the band I had already attached and start again after I had cut the centre front in the right place. Luckily I had cut 2 of the front placket pattern piece anyway, instead of just one that was required. Must have known I was going to mess it up!
This was the first time I had sewn a sleeve placket... OMGosh how super fiddly these are. I got there in the end but they're not super perfect. The under piece doesn't quite fit is I had to fold it over slightly, but no one can see it anyway. The edge stitching needs some improvement, especially around the point. They are functional and the pattern of the fabric hides all :)
I also need to work on the curved corner of the collar stand in the front. They are passable but could be a whole lot better. I think I just need to work on the technique.
There are a lot of fussy fiddly bits on a shirt and I now have a new appreciation for this garment.
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| Lots of wrinkles from wearing it all morning! |
- shortening the sleeve by 1", so it is only 1" longer than the pattern itself.
- move the side dart down by 1/2"
- more room around the waist - I don't want to go out a whole size but a 1/8" on the front and back pattern pieces will give me an extra 1/2" all round.
- moving the waist down about 1/2" as well. It's just a tad too high.
They are a bit fiddly but because they are timeless I think worth the effort.
ReplyDeleteI agree! Now that I'm looking at these pictures, wrinkles 'n all, I'm thinking that I might go up a size to get a little bit more room so it has shape without being body hugging.
DeleteI really love this pattern, it is the first shirt-pattern that made me feel excited about sewing a shirt for myself (The Colette Violet is too 50s-schoolgirl and the Archer is just a bit too lumberjack for my tastes...) and I absolutely love wearing mine. I think yours look really great, especially considering this is just a muslin...
ReplyDeleteI had some difficulties with the placket as well, I think next time I will use the method from a male shirt-pattern that I use quite often (or at least I will compare the patternpiece and construction instructions). Also, I didn't really understand the construction of the collar. I understand that this is a 'new' method but I like the traditional method better (maybe it's a habit?) Anyway, I'm pretty sure your next Granville will be awesome!
I agree, it was the first shirt pattern that made me excited as well. I've got fabric for a couple more but I'm trying to decide if I need to make it a bit bigger around the body and the circumfrance of the sleeves - it's comfy but the pictures look as if it could do with a bit more room - oh the decisions .....
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