This shirt is made from the same pattern I used for my His Girl Friday shirt. (I think I might name all my homemade garments after classic movies or broadway tunes. Because that's just fun.) The pattern is Built By Wendy/Simplicity 4112. The fabric is a Heather Ross for FreeSpirit. I love her scraggly sweet flowers. They are so endearing. And I just noticed this print also comes in brown. Oh, must order some of that.I had some sleeve issues with this shirt. I'm finding that short sleeves are tricky. The short sleeves that Wendy included in this pattern are large and bell-shaped. They are cut on the bias, and hemmed with an itty-bitty baby hem.
I made one of these sleeves, sewed it in, and promptly decided it looked ridiculous on me. I wasn't able to cut the sleeve on the bias as the pattern instructs because I didn't want my flowers growing diagonally. Instead I cut it straight on the fabric, and the resulting drape of the fabric was less than elegant. Fugly, in fact.
I ripped out the monster bell sleeve and set in small cap sleeves from a different pattern. Much better. I finished the sleeve with a bias binding, which gives it a nice shape as well as durability. I do want to try the bell sleeves again. They do look interesting and I think with a lighter-weight fabric they would be beautifully fluttery.Twin, being my own best critic, thinks I look a little tight-laced in this shirt. She didn't use the words "prim" or "old-maidish," but I could tell she was thinking it. I'm not bothered. As Sky Masterson would tell you, prudishness can have its own brand of appeal.
33 comments:
good call on the sleeve adjustment. I think it's beautiful!
Your sleeves look much better. You are so good with clothing construction!!!
I love your sleeves -- they make it look sweet. And if you're worried about the prim factor, pair it with a very close fitted pencil skirt for some of that sexy librarian appeal.
fabulous! cute-as-can-be little sleeves.
i only wish i had your clothes sewing talent! this is beautiful julie - i like your little caps sleeves.
It's just the little tie around the neck--it looks a little choke-y. Tee hee. But what am I saying, EVERYTHING you make looks gorgeous. I am just fashion-challenged, you know that.
xoxo,
Twin
A lady doesn't wander all over the room and blow on some other guy's dice! La-la-la.
So pretty!
such a cute shirt. nice job, julieree!
oh julie! such a cute shirt. love what you did to the sleeves. xo ps: great name too.
I love your shirt. It is super cute. My goal this summer is to sew a few shirts and so far Ive only got one made out of a knit fabric and my hems are a disaster!
julie you just unwittingly solved the problem i have been having with my shirt. will be copying your sleeves directly. i always did like prim...
Your sleeve decision was a good one. Those cap sleeves look soooo nice. And I love that fabric too!
beautiful shirt!
i love this pattern but i'm not so crazy about the sleeves. you've done a wonderful alteration.
first of all, i love the blouse! just dahling. the cap sleeves with binding are my favorite part. secondly, i made that same blouse. i cut my sleeves out on the bias, and they still sucked. they looked so silly on me--joe laughed out loud when he saw me. i think the built by wendy sleeves are weird. the ones on the blouse hannah is making with me are so tight it doesn't make sense. but like she said, thanks for solving the problem!
The sleeve adjustment is perfect. What a cute shirt! I'm delurking, by the way. Hi.
Wow, that sleeve--with the bias binding--that's beautiful. You do such amazing work!
julie, this looks fantastic! and i am freaking out because this is the exact shirt i am having issues with and banished to the closet in a bag. i am totally stuck on the front facing for the button band... i just can't figure it out... can you help me? (she asks in a whimper)
i love the sleeve switch btw, and the fabric is great!
Beautiful! You should take a picture of your homemade wardrobe all together -- you make a lot! And it is quite the stylin' wardrobe, too.
The cap sleeves look wonderful! I think the bell ones, unique as they are, might only look good on people with the EXACTLY right-sized arms - not toothpick thin and not heavier, either.
What a cute shirt. I bow to your fabulous sewing skills.
i needed this post. i have two summer shirt patterns at my sewing table that i need to dive in to.
and those cap sleeves are just picture-perfect. wow.
Your shirt is so fresh and appealing. And so slender. I'll bet you look great in it.
yes, the cap sleeves are a great touch
Really lovely shirt - brava!
You've inspired me, I'm off to sew Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream Apron.
I love the shirt and Sky Masterson. I used to watch the "Luck Be A Lady" scene over and over again when I had Guys and Dolls on tape (wore it out. thank goodness for dvd's). I would swoon everytime he raised those fabulous eyebrows.
You are just a fabulous sew-er!
I think your new sleeves look perfect...much nicer than the originals. And the binding is a great touch. Very cute!
Prudishness and modesty are SO underrated! Great decision on the sleeves - the completed project is adorable (not unlike that set of green drawers in the background of the first photo - me likes).
oh i think it looks sweet! and i love the fabric. i have tagged you on my blog too if you'd like to play along :)
What a fantastic little shirt oyu have created, interested in taking custom orders? or creating a few key pieces for my boutique?
Good job! Way to improvise.
lovely work! you're very talented!
that is an awesome shirt!
I'm just wondering how you tailored the sides to fit the dress form like that...i'm looking for a pattern that holds snug to the body... oh. and simplicity doesn't carry 4112 anymore, from your link. :-(
looks great thou
I gotta hand it to whoever wrote this, you've really kept me updated! Now, let's just hope that I can come across another blog just as interesting :)
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